Anthony Locicero, Associate Editor01.16.19
Joseph Weber Sr. founded Weber Addressing Machine Company in 1932. Nearly 90 years later, Weber Packaging Solutions – the name the company took on this decade – produces labels for at least 15 different markets.
“We have been bringing innovative products to our customers and helping them solve their labeling and coding problems,” Jim Vielbig, Weber’s director of supply chain management, said. “We have grown along with the ever-changing technology of labeling to become an international leader in producing labeling and coding solutions we never could have imagined so long ago.”
It began with the Tag-O-Graph in the 1930s and also includes the Legitronic system, Model 4300 Pro-Apply, BestCode Series 8 continuous inkjet coders, as well as the Model LA-6000 high-speed variable-height label-printer applicator and LA-2050 economical print-apply systems.
“We provide labeling products, coding systems and services for over 50,000 companies,” Vielbig said. “Weber products can be found in every industry, from the smallest manufacturer to the largest Fortune 500 operation.”
According to Vielbig, Weber’s primary markets include food, beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical and household products.
But Weber Packaging has also printed labels for wineries and craft brewers – the company has been a member of the Brewers Association since 2015 –
as well as for medical devices and automotive parts.
“There has been a surge in customers wanting to improve the appearance of their consumer product branding, which has led to new materials and inks being incorporated into the label design,” Vielbig said. “There have even been uses of additional value-added devices printed on our labels, including codes for Spotify playlists, QR codes, augmented reality designs, and much more.”
Weber has been printing flexo labels since the 1980s. Digital printing capabilities were added in 2009. The company also produces RFID smart labels.
“Our all-digital workflow maintains high-quality and speeds production time for mission-critical jobs. Our label printing team has years of experience and knows how to get the best results from our equipment,” Vielbig said. “The recent addition of two new HP 6900 label presses has allowed us to offer new capabilities to our label customers, including better opaque whites, metallic inks and on-press color correction to maintain perfect color balance over the production run. Customers can push the boundaries of label design to create unique, eye-catching designs to entice their customers with better in-store experiences. Our design team can help with any issues and even make suggestions to improve the label using some of our latest technology.”
The director of supply chain management credits the company’s success to long-term employees, suppliers and technology.
“Weber has been in the packaging industry for over 85 years and many of our employees have been around for decades, using their vast experience to change the world of labeling,” he said. “We have partnered with some of the best suppliers in the world to bring high-quality materials and technology to the labels we print for our customers. With over 35 flexo and digital label presses, Weber can handle any size label run with good turn-around times and very competitive pricing.”
In addition to being a source for labels, the company also produces labeling equipment.
“We can provide label applicators to automatically apply your labels on just about any type of production line. Weber also designs and manufactures label print-apply systems for printing variable information labels and applying them to packages specifically in shipping and product case packaging,” Vielbig said. “We have tried to be a one-source supplier for labeling and packaging systems and supplies to just about any vertical market.”
And with all this printing, “we go through a lot of ink,” Vielbig noted.
As such, Weber’s ink suppliers are a “critical link” in the company’s production.
“Our ink suppliers are a critical link in our production as we count on them to not only get us the best quality products but also maintain consistent delivery schedules,” Vielbig said.
Raw material availability and rising costs have plagued the ink industry.
Vielbig said this recently created issued with ink deliveries that impacted Weber’s production schedule for a major client.
“[It] required a lot of work on the part of our supplier to get what we needed,” he said.
So, “We need our ink supplier to be consistent in product and delivery and work with us on maintaining the flow of supplies, including special requests or new materials for testing,” Vielbig continued. “A good working relationship with suppliers usually guarantees problems will be worked out and major production delays avoided.
“It’s also important to have a partner that brings new ideas and technologies to us so we can offer these to our customers. We need to both work to bring the best to our customers,” he added.
Weber is ISO registered and has received HD Flexo Certification from Esko. It also is the recipient of the Golden Ink Award.
The company has headquarters in Arlington Heights, IL (near Chicago) and manufacturing sales and service facilities in Canada, Mexico, Australia, the UK, Asia and Europe.
“We have been bringing innovative products to our customers and helping them solve their labeling and coding problems,” Jim Vielbig, Weber’s director of supply chain management, said. “We have grown along with the ever-changing technology of labeling to become an international leader in producing labeling and coding solutions we never could have imagined so long ago.”
It began with the Tag-O-Graph in the 1930s and also includes the Legitronic system, Model 4300 Pro-Apply, BestCode Series 8 continuous inkjet coders, as well as the Model LA-6000 high-speed variable-height label-printer applicator and LA-2050 economical print-apply systems.
“We provide labeling products, coding systems and services for over 50,000 companies,” Vielbig said. “Weber products can be found in every industry, from the smallest manufacturer to the largest Fortune 500 operation.”
According to Vielbig, Weber’s primary markets include food, beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical and household products.
But Weber Packaging has also printed labels for wineries and craft brewers – the company has been a member of the Brewers Association since 2015 –
as well as for medical devices and automotive parts.
“There has been a surge in customers wanting to improve the appearance of their consumer product branding, which has led to new materials and inks being incorporated into the label design,” Vielbig said. “There have even been uses of additional value-added devices printed on our labels, including codes for Spotify playlists, QR codes, augmented reality designs, and much more.”
Weber has been printing flexo labels since the 1980s. Digital printing capabilities were added in 2009. The company also produces RFID smart labels.
“Our all-digital workflow maintains high-quality and speeds production time for mission-critical jobs. Our label printing team has years of experience and knows how to get the best results from our equipment,” Vielbig said. “The recent addition of two new HP 6900 label presses has allowed us to offer new capabilities to our label customers, including better opaque whites, metallic inks and on-press color correction to maintain perfect color balance over the production run. Customers can push the boundaries of label design to create unique, eye-catching designs to entice their customers with better in-store experiences. Our design team can help with any issues and even make suggestions to improve the label using some of our latest technology.”
The director of supply chain management credits the company’s success to long-term employees, suppliers and technology.
“Weber has been in the packaging industry for over 85 years and many of our employees have been around for decades, using their vast experience to change the world of labeling,” he said. “We have partnered with some of the best suppliers in the world to bring high-quality materials and technology to the labels we print for our customers. With over 35 flexo and digital label presses, Weber can handle any size label run with good turn-around times and very competitive pricing.”
In addition to being a source for labels, the company also produces labeling equipment.
“We can provide label applicators to automatically apply your labels on just about any type of production line. Weber also designs and manufactures label print-apply systems for printing variable information labels and applying them to packages specifically in shipping and product case packaging,” Vielbig said. “We have tried to be a one-source supplier for labeling and packaging systems and supplies to just about any vertical market.”
And with all this printing, “we go through a lot of ink,” Vielbig noted.
As such, Weber’s ink suppliers are a “critical link” in the company’s production.
“Our ink suppliers are a critical link in our production as we count on them to not only get us the best quality products but also maintain consistent delivery schedules,” Vielbig said.
Raw material availability and rising costs have plagued the ink industry.
Vielbig said this recently created issued with ink deliveries that impacted Weber’s production schedule for a major client.
“[It] required a lot of work on the part of our supplier to get what we needed,” he said.
So, “We need our ink supplier to be consistent in product and delivery and work with us on maintaining the flow of supplies, including special requests or new materials for testing,” Vielbig continued. “A good working relationship with suppliers usually guarantees problems will be worked out and major production delays avoided.
“It’s also important to have a partner that brings new ideas and technologies to us so we can offer these to our customers. We need to both work to bring the best to our customers,” he added.
Weber is ISO registered and has received HD Flexo Certification from Esko. It also is the recipient of the Golden Ink Award.
The company has headquarters in Arlington Heights, IL (near Chicago) and manufacturing sales and service facilities in Canada, Mexico, Australia, the UK, Asia and Europe.