Verstraete IML to open new production site in Tennessee
Belgium-based Verstraete IML, an in-mold labels company, is preparing construction work for a new production site in Clarksville, Tenn., together with its parent company Constantia Flexibles. The new site will allow Verstraete IML to get closer to its customers in the largest growth market for IML labels outside Europe. The site will begin production in the second half of 2017 and will have multiple printing press and finishing lines. Some 55 jobs will be created. Verstraete IML expects to invest EUR 18 million (USD 20 million) in its new U.S. plant within a period of three years.
In other news, the company won three awards last summer from the IMDA, an association of injection molders, printers and suppliers of materials and machines used for in-mold decorating. The awards were given out at the 2016 IMDA Symposium in June. In the tenth edition of the awards for 2016, Verstraete IML from Maldegem won awards in the following categories: Best Thin Wall Packaging, Best Blow Moulded Package and Best Product Family. As a result, Verstraete IML took home 3 of the 8 awards:
Best Thin Wall Packaging - Gold for Unilever
Unilever's margarine containers and lids underwent a thorough makeover. They are now made with paper-thin walls which meet the most stringent technical requirements. Unilever switched from direct printing to in-mold labeling. And they changed the shape of the containers — from round to rectangular — to save valuable space during transportation and on shop shelves. Thanks to the photographic quality of the IML labels and the seven different sizes, the four brands now occupy a unique market position, according to the company. In addition, the re-branding of Unilever's margarine brands proceeded smoothly due to great cooperation between Verstraete IML and the three injection moulders RPC BRAMLAGE-Wiko USA, PSPM and Berry Plastics.