Fall 2004                    return to newsletter contents page

Linking the Value Chain by Integrating the Packaging Development Process

Presented at the 2004 Management Workshop, Las Vegas, by Ted Namur, Artwork Systems

Ted Namur, National Consumer Packaging Solutions Manager for Artwork Systems and formerly Senior Quality Packaging Manager for Kraft Foods, works for Artwork Systems to help CPC’s and their vendors streamline and integrate their print and packaging development workflows.

Namur began his presentation by asking the question “What do CPC’s want?” From a trade shop perspective it may appear that the “want” translates into “free, yesterday, and perfect.” However, to give a proper understanding of that “want” we must have a knowledge of the CPC’s process. Namur broke the process down into 8 basic steps: Planning, Design, Routing, Separations and Proofing, Stepping and Plating, Printing, Converting and Filling, and Distribution. In reality, there can be as many as 86 steps and take as long as 9 months for the normal development of a product from concept to store shelf. From this knowledge we can begin to understand the “want.”

• Integrate the supply chain

• Consolidate vendors

• Reduce overall costs

• Reduce cycle time

• Increase product quality

Of this list, the most important aspects to the CPC’s are:

• Reduce overall costs

  • Control costs - not necessarily the price of what we sell but how we can assist in creating a process that will introduce cost savings.

• Reduce cycle time

  • Reduce packaging development cycle

  • Shorten product turn over (inventories)

• Increase product quality

  • Create strong market presence for their brands

  • Communicate directly to the consumer

  • Differentiate their products from those of their competitors        

At the present time, most CPCs work with multiple disassociated vendors resulting in disassociated data and assets creating added costs. No standard process for plate making, film or CTP output resulting in possible quality differences across packaging. Sequential routing and approval resulting in many proofs and added time for the approval process. Multiple file formats, dependent on what each design house or trade shop uses. Standard workflows and screening result in limitations of the printing.

As a partner, how can trade shops turn this around to address the “want?” Create a consolidated, integrated supply chain (partners) that can bring associated/shared (secured) assets and data transfers. CTP output common to all flexo packaging printing, resulting in shorter turn around and common quality. Concurrent routing and approval via the web soft and remote hard proofing. One design, production and archived file format (PDF). Multiple (automated) workflows, print quality and screening options that best fit substrate and printing method.

What CPCs really want? Supply Chain Partners who:

• Know their business

• Help forecast their business needs

• Solutions to these needs and problems (integrate resources to manage data, PDF)

• The ability to decipher and utilize technology to meet their emerging needs (help move work and bring cost savings to the process)

• Partner with technology vendors to incorporate your technical expertise, instead of allowing technology vendors to sell in-house capability.

In summary, trade shops should:

• Partner with customers, learn their business and business challenges

• Provide solutions to those business challenges, before your competitors

• Leverage technology, to meet internal profitability and external client needs

• Partner to find/create individual technology ROI’s

• Find the value add of each technology and how integrating multiple technologies impacts your business and business relationships