2009 Converting Innovator: Community Service—Associated Labels
From Vancouver to Uganda, a “can-do” attitude translates into healthy progress for this flexo/digital packaging printer and an East African village.
By Contributing Editor Barb Axelson -- Converting Magazine, 11/1/2009 1:00:00 AM
Earlier this year, in conjunction with World Water Day on March 22, Associated Labels of Vancouver, BC, Canada, announced the fulfillment of a dream. The 28-year-old label and packaging printer/converter, one of the largest suppliers of labels in Western Canada and the US Pacific Northwest, celebrated the completion of a year-long, village water-well project in Kagulu, Uganda. The rising-star company's far-flung charity work makes it the 2009 Innovator for Community Service.
Children in Kagulu, Uganda, help pump the new water well built with financial assistance from Associated Labels.The family-run company has itself been doing very well. It recently expanded into flexible-packaging manufacturing, and a year ago bought an HP Indigo (www.hp.com) digital-offset press, as well as a top-of-the-line, mid-web Mark Andy Comco (www.markandy.com) flexographic press in 2007. Committed to delivering quality and service, Associated Labels has four production divisions—labels, flexible packaging, packaging equipment, and digital printing.
People, ethics, quality
Associated Labels was founded on a PEQ Triangle of “people, ethics and quality.” The three elements work together in all aspects of the business, says president Rusty Ashworth.
Started as a small plant in 1981, the company now operates in 50,000 sq ft, serving customers throughout Canada and the US in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, personal-care and household-cleaning product industries. Today, press runs go 24/7, reaching into the millions of impressions.
Residents of Kagulu, Uganda, show their appreciation.The pressroom includes a combination of narrow-web systems from Mark Andy, ranging in widths from seven to 17 ins. and from six up to 10 colors, with a total of 39 UV-curing stations for printing flexibility, explains Associated Labels COO Shaun Ashworth.
The new 26-in., 11-color flexographic/gravure/laminating Mark Andy Comco ProGlide FLX press in the dedicated Flexible Packaging Div. turns out printed films (clear and metallized), ultimately to be converted into powder and liquid pouches, tea and coffee bags, and shrink-sleeve labels. The converter's high printing standards are met by incorporating flexo and gravure technologies. Press operator Jamie Barker declares, “Our Comco press allows us to achieve stronger whites, rich color density, and unprecedented print quality.”
“We're providing the most advanced presses to our clients, with on-demand customized printing solutions,” says Shaun Ashworth, of the launch of the new Digital Printing Div.
Instant proofs and prototypes are available thanks to the HP Indigo ws4500 with print runs from one to 50,000 labels. The press's fast turnaround time, almost limitless substrate compatibility and excellent print quality helps brands stand out in the marketplace, Shaun says. The ws4500 prints up to seven colors, including spot colors, white, and brilliant fluorescents.
Clean water = health and more
According to Rusty Ashworth, Associated Labels is committed to making a difference in the world. His philosophy: Everyone can do something useful for others, despite differences in income, time, age and skills. “Our goal was to drill and build a community water well in the East African village of Kagulu in Uganda,” he explains.
The Ashworths have participated in charitable giving for years, including printing promotional labels for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for a variety of its community projects. But several years ago, when his sons, Shaun and Cory, participated in a local “boot camp” (a popular fast-paced outdoor exercise program open to the public in Vancouver), they became friendly with their instructor, Hassan, who comes from the village of Kagulu. The Ashworths learned of the ambitious water program and decided to provide full funding for it, taking over the project to provide the well.
PVC shrink labels for Happy Planet Shots nutritional drinks were printed in flexo/gravure by Associated Labels.The village residents lacked access to clean, safe, drinking water—as do more than 1.1 billion people across the world. Women and young girls in the rural sub-Saharan community have traditionally had to walk as far as nine miles each day to get water for their families. They are thus prevented from pursuing an education or earning additional income.
According to Rusty Ashworth, now that the well is fully functional and protected from local livestock by a fence, “It's incredible to see the positive human impact this work has had on this village worlds away—as well as on our company. The water well has made clean, drinking water accessible 24 hours a day for the people of Kagulu.”
In addition to easing the labor involved in bringing water to the villagers, the well made possible a new mud-brick factory which supplies materials for home construction in the area.
Rusty Ashworth hopes that others will be inspired by Associated Labels' effort. He explains that not only has this project brought clean water to a community in need, it will also lead to improvements in health, sanitation, education, gender equality and increased economic development.
“Our customers were thrilled,” adds media specialist Cory Ashworth. “Hassan went to see the well and a banner was put up that said, 'Thank you, Associated Labels.' We did it to inspire others. This was meant to be; it's had an immense impact on everyone.”
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| ASSOCIATED LABELS, 800/661-4764, www.associated-labels.com | ||
