Ferdinand Rüesch IV, Paul Teachout Named Label Award Winners

This year, the Label Industry Global Awards is presenting two special awards to two industry greats who have led with dedication and passion, making an indelible mark on the industry.

The winner of the R. Stanton Avery Special Recognition Award, sponsored by Avery Dennison, is Ferdinand Rüesch IV, SVP, global key accounts, Anchor Investor Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Gallus Ferd. Rüesch AG.

This award recognizes outstanding individuals who reflect the key values and vision of Stan Avery and his innovative breakthroughs that founded the label industry.

Ferdinand Rüesch IV – known throughout the industry as Ferdi – took over the Gallus Group business from his father in the 1990s, accelerating Gallus’ growth globally, founding subsidiaries in the US, Australia, Germany, Denmark and the United Kingdom.

“With my retirement on the horizon, I’ve been reflecting on many things,” said Ferdinand Rüesch IV. “When Andy Thomas-Emans called to tell me, I had won this award, I was speechless. I am thrilled, touched, and deeply honored. Receiving this award is especially meaningful because my father was the second recipient (of the then Man of Achievement Award) after Stanton Avery, making it even more special.”

Teachout has been announced as the winner of this year’s Label Industry Global Achievement award, which celebrates individuals who have made significant lifetime contributions to the label industry both on the national and international stages.

Teachout currently holds the position of technical marketing and content specialist at Harper Corporation of America. He is currently chair of the FTA and sits on the boards of multiple educational institutions.  He has actively supported the Phoenix Challenge High School competition since 2008 and is chair of the TLMI label competition.

“I am extremely proud and honored to be the recipient of this year’s Global Achievement Award and to be included on a long list of amazingly influential people,” said Teachout. “It is wonderful to be recognized individually but I cannot emphasize enough that I would achieve nothing without the support of this wonderful industry. I have had the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and global leaders.”

The judging panel for the Label Industry Global Achievement Award consisted of chairman Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director, Labels & Labeling; Chelsea McDougall, group managing editor, Labels & Labeling; Tim McDonough, chairman, TLMI; Greg Hrinya, editor, Label & Narrow Web; and Lisa McTigue Pierce, executive editor, Packaging Digest.

Both awards will be presented at an awards ceremony on the first night of Labelexpo Americas 2024.

Label Industry Global Awards 2024 Shortlist

The shortlisted nominations for the two remaining 2024 Label Industry Global Awards – Rising Star and Converter of the Year – have also been announced by the judging panel.

The shortlisted nominations for the Rising Star Award, sponsored by Avery Dennison, are:

• Alex Abbott, of Smart Solve
• Christian Bortolin, of Ammon Print
• Zach Janowski, of Wilson Manufacturing

This award recognizes the achievements of recent entrants to the label and packaging industry who represent the next leadership generation.

The nominees for the Converter of the Year Award are:

•  Any Graphics, from India
•  Harkwell, from the UK
•  NextGen Label Group, from the US

This award honors a label converting company that has encouraged a diverse and inclusive work environment, built a comprehensive training and development program for its employees, contributed to community or charity initiatives, and achieved high levels of customer satisfaction.

The winners of each category will be announced on the first night of Labelexpo Americas 2024.