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

Whats New At Independent Can Company - Summer 2011

Whats New At Independent Can Company - Summer 2011

Steady Improvement:

We are now halfway through 2011 and our business has steadily improved; returning more to pre-recession levels. Our improvements have been driven more by new projects that began in 2010 that are now showing steady results, while our traditional customers are slowly and cautiously returning to historical levels.

Those that have done the best are companies that have diversified their product offerings and invested in new processes and improvements. Doing only what has worked in the past will not work in the future.

I have just returned from a global meeting of the International Packaging Association (IPA) in Italy. Independent Can Company is one of the 15 members of this organization. The IPA membership is made up of independent can makers located around the world. There were a number of reports from all showing steady economic improvement globally. The key points of discussion were as follows:

o Consumer trends

o Alternative packaging

o Sustainability

o Product safety

o Value

o Investment

The season has begun:

2011 to date has been a good year and we are looking for this trend to continue. By of May 1st each year we begin to have strong indications as to what the gift-giving season will look like. At this time the major tin users begin to place printing orders for their fall requirements. From this data we are able to judge the fall activities by the printing backlog, and this year is shaping up to be a good year.

We want to thank those who have placed orders for their initial tin requirements and ask all customers to think and plan ahead for what you might need for the season. If we are aware of a potential needs we will be able to factor in your specific requirement, inform you of scheduling information and meet your critical dates.

On the tooling side:
This has been a very active first half of the year. With our normal overhaul schedule we have made extensive improvements in a number of areas although the tapered popcorn lines have had the most attention improving quality and automation.

We have two new can lines being established that will begin operations in the next 3-6 months. One line will automate a round can assembly that was semi-automatic and the second line is a new product offering which will open an entirely new market for Independent Can.

Lithography: Coating and Printing:

Over the past several years we have focused on becoming the most effective metal decorator in the United States. Currently we are the only company operating the latest continuous grip Metalstar II lines having a 6 color and 4 color line. The 6 color has a UV coater trailing the prints allowing one pass work for up to 6 colors.

This spring we installed the latest pre-press software allowing the fastest and most accurate art and plate development available.

Currently we are preparing for the arrival of a new coating line which will be 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 must run hand in hand; generating less Co2 while also using less energy is good for everyone.

The new line should start up on or about November 1, 2011.

A global observation:

As many of our customers are aware we are one of the largest specialty tin manufacturers in the United States, although you may not know we are also one of the largest importers of decorative and specialty packaging from around the world (tins, plastic packaging and glass). We want to supply the packaging that our customers need whether we make it or source it for them, while acknowledging that an increasing percentage of our customer base is consistently asking for packaging “Made in America.”

Users of tins and other packaging from Asia and other low cost countries have recognized that costs are going up rapidly due to inflation along with the cost of logistics (moving the goods from Asia). We are proud to say that products once only competitive from overseas are now being competitively made here in the United States.

Thank you to all of our customers for your loyalty and for challenging us to be as good a supplier as we possibly can be.

Rick Huether

President and CEO

If you would like any more information on topics contained in this post please contact us by clicking here

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

Independent Can Company is heading to Metpack in Germany

Once again in 2011, METPACK will be the most important event for metal packaging professionals from around the world, and Independent Can Company will be there to work with our vendors and partners to continue the process of bringing the highest quality metal packaging to the North American market. METPACK will start from May 10th and go until May 14th 2011. Products and services from the worlds top metal packaging industry suppliers will be presented.

This show will help solidify projects currently on the table and will definitely lead to ideas for future projects that we should be working on in the future.

Are you coming to Metpack?

Ryan D. Huether
CONTACT US
Independent Can Company
http://www.Independentcan.com

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