Independent Can Company Captures Print Excellence Awards

Independent Can Company Captures Print Excellence Awards

July 26, 2012

Independent Can Company was again recognized for excellence in print quality by the International Metal Decorator’s Association (IMDA). The award was presented to Independent Can Company at their annual conference held this May. Each year the IMDA conducts a quality contest with entries from around the world, to recognize the skillful achievements of metal lithographers. Independent Can Company, for many consecutive years, has won the prestigious “Award of Excellence” and “Best of Category” in Specialty Packaging, as well as Signs and Displays.

The “Award of Excellence” for Specialty Packaging was presented to Independent Can Company for the Nestle Turtles® Limited Edition Holiday Tin. The Turtles® tin also earned a “Special Judges Award” from the Printing & Graphics Association Mid Atlantic (PGAMA) in March of this year. Independent Can was also presented the IMDA “Best of Category” for Signs and Displays with its printing of the “Fender Guitar” metal sign produced for Desperate Enterprises.

Over the past decade Independent Can has invested heavily in the latest printing equipment specifically designed for high definition printing on metal. The company has hired technical experts to direct this highly specialized print operation. “We are constantly looking for process improvements in order to meet the expectations of our customers,” said President and CEO, Rick Huether.

XXX
For more information contact Ryan D. Huether, Vice President of Business Development, Independent Can Company, 1300 Brass Mill Road, P.O. Box 370, Belcamp, MD 21017-0370, Phone: 410-272-0090, Fax: 410-273-7500, e-mail: Ryan@independentcan.com, web: www.independentcan.com.

A Decorative Tin “Homecoming”

Over the past 20 years it seemed to be a better deal to rely on overseas manufacturers for decorative tin packaging due low labor rates. The resulting cost difference was enough to offset the “unknowns”. Would quality and delivery expectations be met? Would there be invisible health or safety risks? Overseas exporters found ways address obstacles such as language barriers, time zone differences and inventory. The added costs of freight and additional time spend on logistics were addressed by using US brokers. Many brokers were simply logistics managers with no packaging expertise.

In recent years, the labor and transportation costs associated with imported packaging have escalated. Fluctuations in currency and a volatile political climate only add to the cost and delivery uncertainty. Warehousing can have its complications and risks. Product recalls of imported products from unaudited factories made national headlines.

Meanwhile back at home US manufacturers became more lean and efficient, adding significantly to their technological advancements. This not only increased thru-put and contained costs, but also improved quality. Companies that were financially sound, such as Independent Can, were able to invest and move forward. Advances in automation resulted in consistently repeatable, high quality results and better delivery time for customers.

What’s under the wrapper?

Metal Lithography
High Speed, Energy Efficient Coater

Our new coating line as arrived! It is the latest coating and oven system available. This line will be rated at 120 sheets per minute and the oven is reported to operate utilizing 20- 30% less energy than the older drying ovens while providing the cleanest exhaust. Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility by US businesses must run hand in hand. Generating less Co2 while also using less energy is good for everyone.

Competitive prices, quality and delivery certainty are just a few of the reasons that it makes more sense to Buy American. Needless to say, decorative tin business is “coming home”. Independent Can has been dedicated to manufacturing fine decorative metal packaging, as its primary focus, for more than 80 years.

For more information on the article above CONTACT US BY CLICKING HERE or call 909-923-6150

Powered by Best Free Counters

High Definition Printing on Metal

We are frequently asked, “How do you get the paint to stay on the tin?” The printing process that we use is called metal flat sheet lithography. The inks and coatings are bonded to a flat sheet of metal by chemical reaction with either heat or untraviolet curing. A protective varnish is applied to the entire sheet of metal at the end of the process. From there, the printed metal is cut or blanked in preparation for manufacturing the individual cans.

Although there are many ways to customize a tin besides labeling, lithography produces the best qualilty image. Annually there are contests to recognize the best in a little-known print category called “Metal Decorating”.

This year the International Metal Decorators Association recongnized Independent Can with the 2011 Award of Excellence, and 2011 Best of Category.

2011 Award of Excellence, International Metal Decorators Association

2011 Best of Category, International Metal Decorators Association

To learn more about Independent Can Company and our high def printing call us at 909-923-6150 or contact us by clicking here

 

Powered by Best Free Counters

WHATS NEW - WINTER 2011

Winter 2011

We are now 7 weeks into the New Year and all indications are that the economy continues to improve. Sales in all business units are up over the same period last year.
 

The new 2011 catalog of stock designs has now been mailed and hopefully you have received your copy. If you need pictures of specific designs for your marketing materials they can be downloaded from our web site. If you have problems do not hesitate to call your sales representative for assistance.

If you are looking for savings on tins please look to our specials and reduced priced overstock tins on the web site as there maybe a savings on the exact design and size you need. There is a limited time on this offer. Click here to view discounted items. 

Lithography and Pre Press

Every decorative tin must begin with art development and printing. High quality printing sets the standard for a high quality presentation.

Independent Can continues to invest in the printing and pre press processes. 

1.     Purchased and are installing the latest software for pre-press which will allow for us to out put designs and proofs faster and more accurately.

2.     Sold all of our old technology printing systems and have set the standard for printing in the United States. We will only print on 4 and 6 color continuous grip printing lines allowing the highest resolution of printing and the fastest change over time of any equipment available in the world.

3.     Ordered a new coating line to be installed in the fall of 2011 which will increase our coating speed by 20-30%, and our capacity by over 30%. This line will utilize 20-25% less energy then the older line, while providing the cleanest technology available today.

Fully Automated sheet size change
Speeds up to 9000 sheets per hour
Convenient easy-to-use operating console

KBA Metal Print: Energy and Emissions Friendly

 “In 2009 we (KBA)  started to produce the HIGH-ECON oven for drying metal sheets with integrated air purification which only required 30% for both, drying and air purification that is needed for drying alone in the old systems. At the same time the emission of CO2 will be reduced by 70%.thus making environmental protection a cost effective pleasure.”  (full article)

HIGH-ECON OVEN

 

We are excited about the future of the can industry and the prospects for growth. The tin can is environmentally one of the most eco friendly packages available while providing product integrity, innovation and graphics second to none.

Thank you for your support and please allow us to demonstrate the benefits of the very contemporary tin can to you.

Rick Huether
President


For more information visit us at http://www.westernspecialty.com or call us at 909-932-6150

Ryan D. Huether

Free Counter