A Successful Members' Luncheon Debate took place in December 2011

EFIA hosts Luncheon Debate at St Paul’s Club, Birmingham

To round off another successful year for the European Flexographic Industry Association, and to begin strategic planning for 2012, EFIA recently hosted a special members’ luncheon and debate in Birmingham’s oldest club, established in 1859. 

Opening the event, David Galton, EFIA Chairman commented “St Paul’s Club, Birmingham’s oldest club founded in 1859, is designed for business and professional people to meet in a unique atmosphere of comfort and genial fellowship, fostered by the traditions of over a century of continuous existence.  Hence EFIA’s choice of location!  EFIA is moving into its 40^th year of operation in 2012 and we are delighted to begin sharing the celebration of our achievements and longevity in such an historical environment.” 

Following an excellent lunch, Josh Brooks, Editor of Packaging News and Invited Chair for the Debate, opened the discussion posing the challenge “How is the flexo industry responding to new and emerging technologies?” The ensuing discussion was lively and quickly a key theme emerged that the members felt that the Flexo industry had often historically suffered from a poorer image than its technological competitors.  This seemingly stemmed from an apparent lack of self-confidence in the industry and as a result flexo had not yet fully succeeded in getting the true value for what it can offer.  General agreement that “the flexo industry is not the poor relation in the production of printed packaging” could be heard and EFIA committed to help drive down this image and support its members further in creating fair value.   

Additional views included that many companies spend too much time reducing the key elements that should really be differentiating the business, that there is continued growth in pre-print (however there is worrying over capacity building as well and the effects of that are unknown today) and that flexo is “now a science rather than an art” which was how it was traditionally regarded.  EFIA took note that High resolution flexo, reactivity and servicing are all key opportunities for Flexo to compete with gravure and litho into the future and that the cost benefits of flexo over those technologies should be highlighted further.  In addition EFIA needs to continue to promote the quality end of flexo, its flexibility and the speed to market so necessary in today’s competitive print world “putting the product onto a higher plane for end users”. 

Finally, members provided input to the Board of EFIA on where they wanted to see the Association concentrate in its Anniversary year in 2012 and beyond.  The requests included broadening its membership to include design agencies and brand owners, further provision of training through the new Academy (which should be launched shortly) and education solutions, viewed as the core competence of the association, and to begin to focus on Europe, The Environment and Global print issues.  In addition, the recommendations from the members included EFIA’s involvement in the development of a new colour standard based on ISO 12647 to help promote flexo to brand owners and to further support members to up sell what EFIA members can offer to their own customers. 

For more information on EFIA and its membership benefits please visit www.efia.uk.com or contact Mrs Debbie Waldron Hoines at debbie@avant-tout.co.uk