Unlocking Potential with Baldwin

The integration of BW Converting’s Baldwin Color Control System (CCS) with System Brunner's Instrument Flight color evaluation software has evolved in step with the changing demands of commercial web offset printers for more than two decades. The latest upgrade, making its debut this week at DRUPA in Düsseldorf, Germany, not only raises the bar on accuracy, speed and sustainability; it also makes the process fun and simple for the operator.In this episode of “Unlocking Potential,” John Cusack, Product Line Manager for Baldwin, a brand of BW Converting,  and Daniel Pfeiffer, Managing Director of System Brunner, reflect on their partnership's origins, which began at DRUPA in 2000. Since then, their collaboration has led to over 600 system installations worldwide.Cusack outlines how Baldwin’s latest generation CCS, with fully spectral measurement capability, offers existing and potential customers the chance to upgrade from non-spectral devices, enhancing measurement accuracy and print quality."The synergy between Baldwin and System Brunner has allowed us to innovate faster and more effectively, providing our customers with the latest advancements in color control technology," Cusack emphasizes.Pfeiffer elaborates on the improvements in System Brunner's Instrument Flight, designed for higher efficiency and user-friendliness. The system's advanced technology ensures better quality through consistent color management from pre-press to print, utilizing machine learning to mimic human perception."Our new system not only improves quality through advanced technology and machine learning but also significantly reduces setup time and waste, contributing to a greener footprint," he explains.The conversation delves into the practical benefits of these innovations, such as reducing operator workload and stress, thus addressing high turnover rates in the industry and a short supply of trained labor. The automated system allows operators to focus on other tasks, improving overall efficiency.The color-control pros also stress the economic and environmental advantages of their solutions. By minimizing material usage, energy consumption, and waste, their systems support sustainable practices while enhancing business efficiency, making it easier for companies to maintain high-quality output with fewer resources.Drupa 2024 participants are encouraged to stop by Baldwin's booth in Hall 16, Stand D20, to experience how Baldwin and System Brunner’s latest advancements can transform their printing operations.To learn more, contact Craig Black,  Vice President of Sales, Americas, at craig.black@bwconverting.com or Oliver Jentschke, VP of Sales, Europe at oliver.jentschke@bwconverting.com.

In today's dynamic business landscape, adaptability is key to survival. The printing industry, known for its resilience and evolution, recently faced an unprecedented and formidable challenge with a worldwide paper shortage. This part 1 episode of Unlocking Potential dives deep into the heart of this crisis, exploring its causes, consequences, and actionable solutions.At the core of this predicament lies a complex web of factors. Paper mill closures, supply chain disruptions, and shifting demand patterns have converged to create a perfect storm. The consequences ripple through the industry, affecting printers, publishers and paper mills alike.To understand the depth of how the crisis unfolded, it's essential to unpack these interconnected issues. In our conversation with industry experts -- Toni McQuilken, Kent Tucker and Julie Brannen -- we examine the root causes of the paper shortage. Toni McQuilken, Senior Editor at PRINTING United, offers insights into the industry's struggles and adaptation to these challenges. Kent Tucker, Vice President of Tucker-Castleberry, shares real-world experiences from a family-owned printing company navigating uncharted waters. Julie Brannen, Director of Regional Sales at Monadnock Paper Mills, lends her extensive knowledge of the industry to the discussion.Our guests bring clarity to the multifaceted challenges posed by the recent paper shortage crisis. They emphasize the need for flexibility in paper choices and pricing adjustments. These insights shed light on the adaptive strategies that businesses are adopting to survive and thrive in turbulent times. From diversifying supply chains to exploring new product lines, the printing industry is evolving to meet the demands of today's market.Join us as we navigate the chaos in the printing industry, seeking answers to critical questions and unveiling strategies for resilience. In a world where change is constant, adaptation becomes the key to unlocking success. Don't miss this episode of Unlocking Potential – your guide to staying ahead in the ever-evolving printing industry.

In today's dynamic business landscape, adaptability is key to survival. The printing industry, known for its resilience and evolution, recently faced an unprecedented and formidable challenge with a worldwide paper shortage. This part 1 episode of Unlocking Potential dives deep into the heart of this crisis, exploring its causes, consequences, and actionable solutions.At the core of this predicament lies a complex web of factors. Paper mill closures, supply chain disruptions, and shifting demand patterns have converged to create a perfect storm. The consequences ripple through the industry, affecting printers, publishers and paper mills alike.To understand the depth of how the crisis unfolded, it's essential to unpack these interconnected issues. In our conversation with industry experts -- Toni McQuilken, Kent Tucker and Julie Brannen -- we examine the root causes of the paper shortage. Toni McQuilken, Senior Editor at PRINTING United, offers insights into the industry's struggles and adaptation to these challenges. Kent Tucker, Vice President of Tucker-Castleberry, shares real-world experiences from a family-owned printing company navigating uncharted waters. Julie Brannen, Director of Regional Sales at Monadnock Paper Mills, lends her extensive knowledge of the industry to the discussion.Our guests bring clarity to the multifaceted challenges posed by the recent paper shortage crisis. They emphasize the need for flexibility in paper choices and pricing adjustments. These insights shed light on the adaptive strategies that businesses are adopting to survive and thrive in turbulent times. From diversifying supply chains to exploring new product lines, the printing industry is evolving to meet the demands of today's market.Join us as we navigate the chaos in the printing industry, seeking answers to critical questions and unveiling strategies for resilience. In a world where change is constant, adaptation becomes the key to unlocking success. Don't miss this episode of Unlocking Potential – your guide to staying ahead in the ever-evolving printing industry.

The 3D printing revolution is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s a present-day reality. Over the past decade, the additive manufacturing industry has undergone a seismic transformation, with a projected global market value of $34.8 billion by 2024. From intricate medical devices to jet engine prototypes, the adoption curve of 3D printing has soared, disrupting traditional industries. Meanwhile, hobbyists are tapping into this technology to craft personalized items ranging from jewelry to home decor. How is the 3D printing revolution transforming both the industrial landscape and the world of personal creativity? In the latest episode of Unlocking Potential, host Gabrielle Bejarano welcomes three experts to dive into the dynamic world of 3D printing. Wyatt Levy, Head of Product Development at Henkel, Beverly Tan, Founder of Ecovate 3D, and Kevin Joesel, Sales Executive at AMS Spectral UV, a Baldwin Technology Company, offer a panoramic view of the 3D printing spectrum, from its transformative impact on industries to empowering individual hobbyists. Bejarano, Levy, Tan, and Joesel’s discussion includes: The evolution of 3D printing and its transformative impact on industries and hobbyists The latest material innovations and prospects The blending of precision and creativity in 3D printing Wyatt Levy, the Head of Product Development at Henkel, brings expertise in photopolymer systems for DLP and Stereolithography-based 3D printing. Beverly Tan, the visionary behind Ecovate3D, offers a unique retail perspective with her space dedicated to 3D printers, filaments, and maintenance services. Rounding out the panel is Kevin Joesel, a sales maestro from Baldwin Technologies, whose 25-year industry tenure provides a deep understanding of the 3D printing landscape. Learn more about 3D printing by connecting with our guests: Wyatt Levy Beverly Tan Kevin Joesel

W&D 628 press with Baldwin Technology’s LED UV positions the printer at the forefront of innovationVictor Envelope Company’s story began in 1959 when Harlan Burgess recognized there was a dire need in the envelope industry for faster service.Starting as a small broker in downtown Chicago, with an answering service that welcomed: “Victor Envelope Company”, the company has grown over the years to become a leading envelope manufacturer, offering a wide range of custom envelopes and packaging solutions.Over the years, the company's success involved strategic partnerships and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. One major turning point in Victor Envelope’s history was in 2001, when it became an early adopter of advanced technology when retrofitting its equipment."In 2001, we acquired our first SW folding machine. At that time, F.L. Smith proposed the installation of a gas dryer to ensure proper ink curing in our air-conditioned facility,” recalled Kent Gundlach, president of Victor Envelope. “This endeavor was akin to air-conditioning Lake Michigan, so a group of us embarked on researching and implementing UV technology."What’s more, this decision brought a myriad of profitable advantages, like energy savings, increased productivity, and sustainable solutions for Victor Envelope. In fact, the upgrade to UV reduced energy consumption by a staggering 73% and boosted press speed by 20%.When Victor Envelope was looking to add a new envelope machine, it recognized the need for efficiency and sustainability, and turned to Baldwin Technology Co.’s LED UV technology.Fast forward to today. Victor Envelope proudly utilizes one of the most advanced presses available on the market – the Winkler and Dünnebier (W&D) 628. This powerhouse machine boasts an open system and the proficiency to undertake any project. What’s more, its distinct capability to selectively deactivate LED zones within modules translates into significant energy savings when certain areas don’t necessitate printing. With a continued emphasis on personalization demands in the printing industry, Victor Envelope's LED W&D system positions the printer at the forefront of innovation.The Technical Training and Production Development Manager of Victor Envelope, Dariusz Kogut, highlighted the seamless LED system integration and the unparalleled support extended by Baldwin during the installation. Victor Envelope can now swiftly manage short-run custom projects, a feat attributed to the system’s versatility.As a result of this partnership, Victor Envelope gained a competitive edge in the industry. The system can now print four-color process plus four different coatings in-line, offering enhanced customization possibilities for direct-market mail and packaging.Mark Kruger, Regional Sales Manager for Baldwin Technology’s north central region, emphasized that this strategic transition was part of a broader industry movement, and therefore was essential to remaining competitive. Victor Envelope was at the forefront.The Path to Industry SuccessBut how did Victor Envelope ascend to the top in the industry? Led by the visionary minds of Art Weingartner and Ernie Ambrostat, Victor Envelope ventured into the world of manufacturing in 1967. The company developed a latex machine that sparked its journey, serving other envelope manufacturers with its expertise. As demand grew, Victor expanded operations, acquiring used machinery and customizing it to its advantage.By 1990, Victor Envelope moved to its current facility in Bensenville, Illinois. Originally spanning 175,000 square feet, it expanded rapidly, now boasting 250,000 square feet. Its continued investments in machinery like litho presses, sheeters, UV systems, and the LED system displays the company’s unwavering commitment to innovation.In essence, the collaboration between Victor Envelope, Baldwin Technology, and W&D has led to a harmonious integration of technology, creating a powerful press capable of tackling any project with precision and efficiency. In fact, to bring customers even more benefit, Baldwin and W&D recently united under the Barry Wehmiller Converting Solutions platform. This helps enrich the envelope printing landscape with a holistic solution from one consolidated organization.Victor Envelope Company's success story exemplifies the power of collaboration and innovationin the printing industry. It has embraced technology to set a new standard for efficiency and sustainability while exceeding in customer satisfaction, reinforcing its position as a leading envelope manufacturer in the United States.

The digital landscape is swiftly changing, and so too is the need for efficient and reliable print inspection software. With the rise of automation, there's a growing demand for tools that not only simplify the workflow but also provide accurate and comprehensive print inspections. Enter PQV 4.0, the most sophisticated print inspection software currently available. In an era where every pixel counts, the stakes are high, and the right software can mean the difference between flawless execution and costly errors.So, what is the main question surrounding the introduction of PQV 4.0? "How can this new software improve my workflow and overall print inspection process?"In this episode of Unlocking Potential by Baldwin, host Gabrielle Bejarano and guest John Cusack, Business Development Manager, delve deep into the capabilities of PQV 4.0, a ground-breaking print inspection software that guarantees precision, reliability, and user-friendly interfaces.Main points of the conversation include:Introduction of Wizard IQ, a new concept aimed to bring simplicity to print inspection technology, making it accessible to all operators, regardless of skill level.The power of automation in PQV 4.0, offering faster setup times, better repeatability and more reliable outputs.John Cusack, with his extensive background in business development and specialization in defect detection platforms, brings valuable insights into the conversation. His main responsibility at Baldwin Technology is around defect detection platforms, focusing mainly on the printing industry and quality aspects.

The younger generation can be exposed to the job satisfaction and diversity of the printing industry through social media videos.

Printing has always been in demand and is as relevant as ever. According to Mordor Intelligence, the global commercial printing market was valued at USD 433.79 billion in 2021. It is projected to be worth USD 484.22 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 1.74% during the forecast period (2022-2027).However, the printing industry is not experiencing an influx of young talent. What strategies can be adopted to ensure younger job seekers recognize the beauty of working in the industry? On today’s episode of Baldwin’s “Unlocking Potential” Podcast, host Gabrielle Bejarano sits down with Adriane Harrison, Vice-President at Printing United Alliance, Mike Nelson, Engineering Manager at Baldwin Technology’s AMS Spectral UV business and Rich Bennett, President of Baldwin Technology’s AMS Spectral UV business, to discuss how to attract young talent to the industry.The trio discussed:1. What makes printing glamorous and how to present it to the younger talent2. The job satisfaction associated with the printing industry3. How to approach Gen Z on the evolution and benefits of working in the printing industry“Printing is fun, cool and high-tech, and contrary to popular misconceptions, a printing shop is most bright, clean and beautiful. Another perk of working in the printing industry is seeing things transform all day, which is really satisfying. This improves job satisfaction as you can immediately see the outcome of your efforts. One strategy to attract the younger talents is uploading videos that show the cool processes involved on different social media platforms,” explained Harrison.“The print industry is not excluded from the evolutionary and revolutionary process. Previously, about four to six people are required to run the press machine. However, now you only need one person for the job. The entire process has become more digitalized,” noted Bennett.“First, the creativity of the industry is something that always amazes it. We work on various systems that use various processes in the engineering discipline. One could enjoy various paths coming into the print industry because it allows for diversification,” stated Nelson.

As the costs of paper, inks, silicone, and chemicals rise due to inflation, printers everywhere have no choice but to focus on reducing waste to protect profit margins and the environment. Bold Printing sought a solution from Baldwin Technology that eliminates water using a spray-free, all-in-one cleaning process. Bold Printing Malmö AB, Mikael Olsson, and Baldwin Technology’s Process Engineer, Martin Maier, spoke with “Unlocking Potential’s,” Tyler Kern about this exciting step in the printing process. Bold Printing is one of Sweden’s most prominent commercial printers, producing everything from magazines to newspapers for a large media group. Paper and energy are the two main pain points for Bold Printing today. With paper prices skyrocketing and energy prices predicted to be at an all-time high this winter, Bold Printing knew it needed to find a way to reduce costs. “The problem is, we cannot raise the prices on our customers, and even if we did, most of our customers are our own, so it’s the same wallet anyway,” Olsson said. Olsson said his operations tested Baldwin Technology’s PREPAC Zero solution a year ago. “We started with one printing tower in September of last year for a month, and then we used another tower,” Olsson said. “We successfully did it from tower to tower, and now we have PREPAC Zero in five of them now.” For Maier’s part in R&D for Baldwin, he is integral to developing and testing new products and helps install the PREPAC for the customer. “If a customer is interested in our product, I go to the customer and install the PREPAC,” Maier said. “I make some modifications to the wash program and the hardware and software, so the customer, in the end, has less wash time, which means less downtime and waste at the end.” Since adopting PREPAC Zero in his plant, Olsson said he’d seen many benefits. “We can have shorter washing programs because the cloth is more effective. It cleans better. Shorter programs reduce the waste of washing cloths, so it’s a big savings.” And rundown wash programs were also shortened by the process. Because the new system is waterless, it eliminates leaks, which reduces maintenance. The ultimate result for Olsson is the presses stay cleaner.

Some news sources say the “great resignation” is waning, with some quitters experiencing regret. Others cite the resignation as still intense, reporting trends like ‘quiet quitting.’ What is certain is that employees have changed over the pandemic. Companies have to shift with expectations. Traditional incentives of wages and benefits aren’t enough.Before the “Great Resignation,” the printing industry already had issues hiring and retaining new talent. “The great resignation for us really was people leaving because they were older, more mature employees, and they didn’t want to come back to a potential health risk situation. Printers tend to have employees on the higher end of the age spectrum,” said Adriane Harrison, Vice President of Human Resources Consulting at Printing United Alliance.According to an Indeed report, 85% of employers say COVID-19 altered definitions of a good job. The printing industry’s response has to be a multi-pronged approach. “We’ve upgraded the technology that allows us to work from home. We could do better at getting more creative attracting talent,” said Rich Bennett, President at Baldwin Technology, AMS Spectral UV. McKinsey and Company surveyed employees globally, and many workers want more than the usual compensation and job advancement carrots.Harrison recommends that printers take a more flexible approach. Some jobs can’t be done from home but should be an option for the positions that can be done remotely. “There have been unexpected benefits to this flexible work schedule,” said Mike Nelson, Engineering Leader at Baldwin Technology, AMS Spectral UV. Consider flexible scheduling, like a ten-hour four-day week, instead of the traditional eight-hour, five-day week.“You have to meet people where they are, " Harrison said. Even consider breaking the ten-hour day into two shifts. This widens the pool of candidates to part-time workers. “When we remain flexible, we’ve seen employees become more happy and production increase,” said Nelson. Listen to the podcast now to learn how Baldwin is consulting its partners and clients on hiring after the great resignation. Episodes are available wherever you get your podcasts.