Volume 8 No. 3 – “Innovation in Direct Print Corrugated”

By David Callif, President of BCM INKS

The recent introductions of the Apple iPad and iPhone got me thinking about innovation in direct print corrugated. When is the last time a company in our industry developed a product that generated the buzz or excitement of any of Apple’s recent introductions? I would say the introduction of the digital printer is the closest our industry has come in the last decade. It was a game changer. It made short run, variable print displays a reality. It shortened time to market from weeks to days to hours. Mock-ups became easy. It has become a mainstay in many corrugated design departments.

Not many companies develop game changing products, processes, or services. However, companies that innovate typically show greater growth. They are leaders rather
than followers. They see the ways to overcome the risks to get to the rewards. They transform “ideas into new/improved products, processes, or services in order to advance, compete, and differentiate themselves in the marketplace.” (Source: Wikipedia)

Companies that want to move forward need to innovate. Stefan Thomke, a Harvard University Business School professor and author of “Experimentation Matters” says companies cannot grow through cost reduction and re-engineering alone. He advocates several principles companies can follow to unlock their innovative potential. They are as
follows:

1. Anticipate and exploit early information
2. Experiment frequently
3. Organize for rapid experimentation
4. Fail early and often

How many of us are too busy to run a trial or seriously look at a new service?

BYK, an additives and instruments company, advertises the “Innovation Principle”. This principle demands forward thinking about new products and processes, effective services,
and strong partnerships. It requires knowledge, experience, and the drive to discover new solutions.

I’m pleased that BCM Inks has been an innovator since the company’s incorporation December, 1989. We started with an idea that a highly pigmented eco friendly water flexo ink was needed in the direct print corrugated industry. Shortly thereafter, we introduced another game changer to the U.S. market, a manual ink blending system called the “Econoblend” ink kitchen. Today we continue to innovate in several different ways. They are as follows:

Products:

1. Eekoflex inks and varnishes – Water flexo inks and varnishes made with renewable raw materials that are custom manufactured to your press, anilox, substrate, etc. specifications. The Eekoflex inks help close the loop on sustainable paper making process. FYI – The 6/22/10 edition of Packaging Digest mentioned that 93% of CEO’s surveyed believe sustainability will be critical to the future success of their companies.
2. Non skid inks and varnishes – Water flexo inks and varnishes custom
   manufactured to your slide angle or COF (coefficient of friction) specification.
3. Overcoat inks and varnishes – Water flexo inks and varnishes that can print over water resistant or other coatings.

Processes:

1. Quik Match – A program to match colors within an hour.
2. G7 – A calibration system to help insure consistent brand colors across all print processes.

Practices/Services:

1. Multi-lingual customer service representatives – You speak directly to
   knowledgeable service representatives.
2. Delivery – Same day if needed.
3. On press solutions – Experienced technical reps who can solve print issues right now. Eliminate costly downtime.

BCM will also develop products, processes, and practices based upon your needs. At BCM, innovation is a part of our company’s fabric. We are global in scope. This enables us to take a broader view.

So if you want to innovate in direct print corrugated, contact us. We’ll work with you to find the “innovative solution”.

Regards,
David Callif
Ph: 513-469-0400
E-mail: dave@bcminks.com

U.S. Display Group Honors BCM Inks
as Supplier of the Year

U.S. Display (Tullahoma, TN) presented their Supplier of the Year Award May, 2010 to David Callif of BCM Inks at U.S. Display’s CEO program. The award was based upon quantitative measurement in the areas of quality, service, and delivery. This was BCM’s second award in the last four years.

Paulina Flores Appointed BCM’s
New Customer Service Manager

Paulina Flores, a recent graduate of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL with a degree in International Business has become BCM’s most recent hire. Paulina grew up in Cincinnati, OH. Her family is originally from Ecuador. Paulina speaks English, Spanish, and Chinese fluently. Paulina looks forward to hearing from you.