Raflatac at Labelexpo Americas: People, Service and Products

The company continues to focus on the changing requirements of its North American customers by introducing a range of products that target growth markets and new application opportunities. Raflatac’s service structure in North America is further strengthened as new slitting and distribution facilities minimize delivery times. But the most critical element in the company’s success is people.

New terminal in Pennsylvania

Raflatac is opening a new slitting and distribution facility in Pennsylvania and thus further strengthening its existing North American service network, which includes manufacturing headquarters in North Carolina, a terminal in California and slitting and distribution centers in Wisconsin, Toronto and Mexico City.

Jouko Lähepelto, Senior Vice President, Americas, comments, “This addition to Raflatac’s distribution network reinforces our commitment to delivering quality labelstocks with minimal lead times. Earlier this year, Raflatac began offering slitting and distribution services from Wisconsin. The new Pennsylvania terminal will serve customers throughout New England, the Mid-Atlantic region and parts of Canada.”

Introducing new film labelstocks

Films are a central product focus at the show as Raflatac expands its film offering in North America by introducing a new line of highly conformable film labelstocks.

Three new grades have been added to Raflatac’s film range: a fully squeezable clear film called New! Raflex Plus, a fully squeezable white polyethylene film, and a pasteurizable film construction.

Marketing Director Malcolm Collins comments, “By introducing this squeezable range of films we’re complementing the range of paper and polypropylene products we offer in North America. And by doing this, we’re demonstrating our commitment to meeting the changing requirements of today’s market.”

“Raflatac is not only a leading manufacturer of film and paper labelstocks but a truly global supplier that can take advantage of its global know-how when creating solutions for customers’ heightening demands.”

The Raflatouch – Raflatac’s way of operation

“Products are a natural highlight of the show, but a product is only as good as the service that supports it. Raflatac’s service professionals are an essential part of the service. They are committed to customer satisfaction in the true spirit of the Raflatouch,” says Jouko Lähepelto.

“The Raflatouch approach, together with our internationally certified processes, enables us to meet our customers’ demands, adding value to their businesses. And by combining our central information systems with sophisticated logistics practices and custom-designed, highly automated machines, we ensure accurate and reliable deliveries.”

Keynote address by Raflatac

Dan O’Connell, President of Raflatac, Inc., is delivering the keynote address at the commencement of the Labelexpo Americas conference program. O’Connell’s address, ‘The State of the Label Industry’, examines the core issues that North American label converters are facing in an increasingly competitive pressure sensitive label industry.

In his speech, O’Connell takes a look at the relationship between label converter and end-user, shifting supply chain management practices, and current decoration trends as well as future opportunities in pressure sensitive labeling.

Raflatac in brief

Raflatac is one of the world’s leading suppliers of paper-based and film pressure sensitive labelstocks. Raflatac develops and manufactures label materials for a wide variety of needs in prime and VIP labeling. Raflatac has 2,200 employees and its turnover in 2003 was USD 850 million. The company has factories on five continents and a wide network of terminals and sales offices worldwide. Raflatac is part of UPM, one of the world's leading forest products companies. UPM shares are listed on the Helsinki and New York stock exchanges.