07.21.21
26b, Boulevard Royal
L-2449 Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Phone: +44 (0)161 776 6810
Fax: +44 (0)161 775 5415
www.flintgrp.com
Sales: 2020 global revenues of Flint Group were €1.7 billion (US $2.1 billion)
Major Products: A wide range of inks, coatings, blankets, pressroom chemistry, printing plates, consumables and more. Expertise in solvent-based, water-based, oil-based and energy curable technologies for various applications, including offset lithography, flexography, gravure, rotary screen, rotary offset, digital and letterpress. Products are designed to support nearly all print segments in the print media and packaging sectors. Flint Group also manufactures chips and resins for inks and other applications, aqueous dispersions, hyper dispersants and additives for the colorant market; pressroom chemicals; printing blankets; and flexographic plates, sleeves and printing equipment. With its Digital Solutions division (the Xeikon brand), Flint Group shows its commitment to expanding digital platforms offering a unique mix of equipment, consumables and services.
Key Personnel: Pierre-Marie De Leener, chairman; Antoine Fady, CEO, Flint Group; Steve Dryden, COO Flint Group Packaging and CEO Flint Group Commercial, Publication & Sheetfed (CPS); Ron Muawad, Group CFO; Dagmar Schmidt, President XSYS; Benoit Chatelard, president Digital Solutions; Doug Aldred, president Packaging Inks; Emmanuel Bareaud, president Narrow Web; Tony Lord, president Commercial, Publication & Sheetfed (CPS); Chad Holzer, president Offset Solutions; Jeremy Berenzweig, general counsel and chief administration officer.
Number of Employees: Approximately 6,200 worldwide.
Comments: With consolidated sales of $2.1 billion, Flint Group is the second-largest ink manufacturer in the world. However, COVID-19 affected virtually every company in the ink industry regardless of size, and Flint Group was no exception.
“Flint Group and the entire industry experienced the pressures of COVID-19 during 2020,” said Antoine Fady, CEO, Flint Group. “Throughout the pandemic, two things were most important to Flint Group: first, the safety of our staff in all parts of the world; and second, continuity of business for our customers and ourselves.
“As it relates to number one, fortunately, through the extreme diligence of our employees and with exceptionally strict safety measures, for the most part, our staff were kept safe and healthy while at work,” added Fady. “Therefore, it is not surprising that Flint Group’s extreme level of safety and hygiene enabled us to achieve our second most important objective – continuity of business.”
Fady noted that COVID did place strains on Flint Group’s supply chains, manufacturing, technical support channels and delivery of products.
“However, as an essential business, we were able to keep our facilities running, and with a strong and aligned global procurement team, we were able to maintain the supply of our raw materials,” he added.
“Furthermore, our technical and sales staff were able to connect virtually with customers to ensure and maintain our market-leading support levels.”
Overall, Fady said Flint Group’s Packaging Inks business fared well.
“With the ability to maintain customer service and supply levels, we were able to retain and grow business in certain regions and segments in 2020,” he added. “One thing is certain, we cannot become complacent in addressing COVID-19 or in managing risk to our business and in supplying our customers. Printers and converters require suppliers that are adaptable, agile and highly responsive. Businesses must be nimble and contingency plans are necessary to support and ensure business continuity.
“That said, in 2020, the industry responded in a unified and commendable manner to the pandemic and packaging’s role as a protector, preserver and transporter of food and other essential products was undeniable,” Fady concluded.
Flint Group’s efforts on sustainability are a key focus.
“Focus on the environment and sustainability continues to be a focal point for the industry,” stated Doug Aldred, President Packaging Inks. “Many consumers still associate flexible plastics with littering without taking full consideration of the lifecycle benefits of this package type. Concerns related to plastic packaging remain front and center for many brands and consumers.”
Flint Group Packaging Inks developed a Sustainability Vision and Platform in 2020, supported by a Sustainability Task Force and a Sustainability Hub on its website. The division’s vision – “To support packaging markets with responsibly built products designed for circular economies” – is supported by a four-pillar platform focused on designing products for circularity, reducing ecological impact, ethical management and building products responsibly.
Recently launched products designed for circularity in packaging include ZenCode GC and ZenCode GS – solvent-based inks which are Material Health Certified with the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. On the water-based side, Flint Group offers its TerraCode ink range, which also has Material Health Certificates with the Cradle to Cradle Institute and are compostable.
With regard to acquisitions, Flint Group announced the acquisition of Poteet Printing Systems in North America. This partnership adds one more level of customer focus and product expertise to support the Paper & Board market in the US.
COVID-19 had a major impact on raw material pricing and availability, and Flint Group continues to feel the effects.
“The impact has not ended,” said Steve Dryden, COO Flint Group Packaging and CEO Flint Group CPS. “Raw material prices have escalated beyond any historical levels and supply chains continue to be challenged – there is not a clear view of relief in our immediate sights. The effects have, however, escalated the focus of all industries on risk management which, in the long-term, will bolster our abilities to weather almost any storm.
“Because Flint Group is a global company, our teams have always been aligned and working together on a global and regional level to ensure our manufacturing facilities have the materials needed to continue production,” he added. “With global procurement and supply chain staff, we are able to provide 24 hour coverage which has enabled our ability to work around the clock to mitigate major risks. Unfortunately, the situation doesn’t appear to be stabilizing soon – certainly not before the end of 2021.”
Dryden said that despite the challenges Flint Group is facing, the company is successfully moving ahead.
“COVID-19 is still a major concern in many regions, supply chain hurdles are coming at us from every direction and raw material costs continue to rise,” Dryden observed. “It’s no secret that our industry is currently facing the most unprecedented raw material, packaging and freight cost escalation in recent memory. These challenges are putting considerable strain on the entire organization. However, because of the dedication of Flint Group staff, who are focused and committed to ensure our customers’ businesses are not impacted, our business continues to move forward in a positive direction.
“No doubt, the rest of 2021 will be challenging – however, the packaging industry is strong, resilient and essential for the smooth running of society. Suppliers, such as Flint Group Packaging Inks, are absolutely dedicated to supporting customers with the products and technical support needed,” Dryden noted.
L-2449 Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Phone: +44 (0)161 776 6810
Fax: +44 (0)161 775 5415
www.flintgrp.com
Sales: 2020 global revenues of Flint Group were €1.7 billion (US $2.1 billion)
Major Products: A wide range of inks, coatings, blankets, pressroom chemistry, printing plates, consumables and more. Expertise in solvent-based, water-based, oil-based and energy curable technologies for various applications, including offset lithography, flexography, gravure, rotary screen, rotary offset, digital and letterpress. Products are designed to support nearly all print segments in the print media and packaging sectors. Flint Group also manufactures chips and resins for inks and other applications, aqueous dispersions, hyper dispersants and additives for the colorant market; pressroom chemicals; printing blankets; and flexographic plates, sleeves and printing equipment. With its Digital Solutions division (the Xeikon brand), Flint Group shows its commitment to expanding digital platforms offering a unique mix of equipment, consumables and services.
Key Personnel: Pierre-Marie De Leener, chairman; Antoine Fady, CEO, Flint Group; Steve Dryden, COO Flint Group Packaging and CEO Flint Group Commercial, Publication & Sheetfed (CPS); Ron Muawad, Group CFO; Dagmar Schmidt, President XSYS; Benoit Chatelard, president Digital Solutions; Doug Aldred, president Packaging Inks; Emmanuel Bareaud, president Narrow Web; Tony Lord, president Commercial, Publication & Sheetfed (CPS); Chad Holzer, president Offset Solutions; Jeremy Berenzweig, general counsel and chief administration officer.
Number of Employees: Approximately 6,200 worldwide.
Comments: With consolidated sales of $2.1 billion, Flint Group is the second-largest ink manufacturer in the world. However, COVID-19 affected virtually every company in the ink industry regardless of size, and Flint Group was no exception.
“Flint Group and the entire industry experienced the pressures of COVID-19 during 2020,” said Antoine Fady, CEO, Flint Group. “Throughout the pandemic, two things were most important to Flint Group: first, the safety of our staff in all parts of the world; and second, continuity of business for our customers and ourselves.
“As it relates to number one, fortunately, through the extreme diligence of our employees and with exceptionally strict safety measures, for the most part, our staff were kept safe and healthy while at work,” added Fady. “Therefore, it is not surprising that Flint Group’s extreme level of safety and hygiene enabled us to achieve our second most important objective – continuity of business.”
Fady noted that COVID did place strains on Flint Group’s supply chains, manufacturing, technical support channels and delivery of products.
“However, as an essential business, we were able to keep our facilities running, and with a strong and aligned global procurement team, we were able to maintain the supply of our raw materials,” he added.
“Furthermore, our technical and sales staff were able to connect virtually with customers to ensure and maintain our market-leading support levels.”
Overall, Fady said Flint Group’s Packaging Inks business fared well.
“With the ability to maintain customer service and supply levels, we were able to retain and grow business in certain regions and segments in 2020,” he added. “One thing is certain, we cannot become complacent in addressing COVID-19 or in managing risk to our business and in supplying our customers. Printers and converters require suppliers that are adaptable, agile and highly responsive. Businesses must be nimble and contingency plans are necessary to support and ensure business continuity.
“That said, in 2020, the industry responded in a unified and commendable manner to the pandemic and packaging’s role as a protector, preserver and transporter of food and other essential products was undeniable,” Fady concluded.
Flint Group’s efforts on sustainability are a key focus.
“Focus on the environment and sustainability continues to be a focal point for the industry,” stated Doug Aldred, President Packaging Inks. “Many consumers still associate flexible plastics with littering without taking full consideration of the lifecycle benefits of this package type. Concerns related to plastic packaging remain front and center for many brands and consumers.”
Flint Group Packaging Inks developed a Sustainability Vision and Platform in 2020, supported by a Sustainability Task Force and a Sustainability Hub on its website. The division’s vision – “To support packaging markets with responsibly built products designed for circular economies” – is supported by a four-pillar platform focused on designing products for circularity, reducing ecological impact, ethical management and building products responsibly.
Recently launched products designed for circularity in packaging include ZenCode GC and ZenCode GS – solvent-based inks which are Material Health Certified with the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. On the water-based side, Flint Group offers its TerraCode ink range, which also has Material Health Certificates with the Cradle to Cradle Institute and are compostable.
With regard to acquisitions, Flint Group announced the acquisition of Poteet Printing Systems in North America. This partnership adds one more level of customer focus and product expertise to support the Paper & Board market in the US.
COVID-19 had a major impact on raw material pricing and availability, and Flint Group continues to feel the effects.
“The impact has not ended,” said Steve Dryden, COO Flint Group Packaging and CEO Flint Group CPS. “Raw material prices have escalated beyond any historical levels and supply chains continue to be challenged – there is not a clear view of relief in our immediate sights. The effects have, however, escalated the focus of all industries on risk management which, in the long-term, will bolster our abilities to weather almost any storm.
“Because Flint Group is a global company, our teams have always been aligned and working together on a global and regional level to ensure our manufacturing facilities have the materials needed to continue production,” he added. “With global procurement and supply chain staff, we are able to provide 24 hour coverage which has enabled our ability to work around the clock to mitigate major risks. Unfortunately, the situation doesn’t appear to be stabilizing soon – certainly not before the end of 2021.”
Dryden said that despite the challenges Flint Group is facing, the company is successfully moving ahead.
“COVID-19 is still a major concern in many regions, supply chain hurdles are coming at us from every direction and raw material costs continue to rise,” Dryden observed. “It’s no secret that our industry is currently facing the most unprecedented raw material, packaging and freight cost escalation in recent memory. These challenges are putting considerable strain on the entire organization. However, because of the dedication of Flint Group staff, who are focused and committed to ensure our customers’ businesses are not impacted, our business continues to move forward in a positive direction.
“No doubt, the rest of 2021 will be challenging – however, the packaging industry is strong, resilient and essential for the smooth running of society. Suppliers, such as Flint Group Packaging Inks, are absolutely dedicated to supporting customers with the products and technical support needed,” Dryden noted.
