Category: News

Plymouth, MA, July 6, 2018. Capping off three decades of success as a leading global doctor blade maker, Flexo Concepts celebrated its 30^th anniversary on historic Plymouth Harbor. The company treated its local business partners to a tour of its manufacturing facility followed by a sunset cruise aboard the Pilgrim Belle with employees and their families.

Thirty years ago, Flexo Concepts was established to help design a doctor blade for box makers, a move that secured its longstanding place as a dominant player in the worldwide UHMW corrugated blade market. Since then, the company has grown to serve the tag & label, flexible packaging and many other printing markets worldwide as a top industry innovator. Its TruPoint Orange®, TruPoint Green®  and TruPoint DuraPoint®  doctor blades are among its most renowned doctor blade products that have transformed the flexo printing market.

The company was acquired in 2001 by Kevin McLaughlin who  later added longtime friend and industry colleague Greg Howell as his business partner. When asked about his proudest professional accomplishment, McLaughlin responded, “Our brand identity. Wherever I go in the industry, people tell me how impressed they are with us, and I think it goes beyond our bright orange shirts!” He is delighted that the company is known as a pioneer in the non-metallic doctor blade market and a partner dedicated to helping its customers be successful.

“I would say I am most proud of the team we have at Flexo Concepts and the work they do,” said Howell. He credits a culture that values individual contribution, collaboration, and a work environment that is meaningful and fun. “Across all departments, our employees are smart, hardworking, and enjoy taking on new challenges. So, we’ve got a lot to celebrate at our 30-year mark.”

In addition to continuously working to create new and improved products, Flexo Concepts is currently exploring new applications for its blade technology outside of the printing industry.

To learn more about Flexo Concepts’ history and 30^th anniversary celebration, visit www.flexoconcepts.com. A complete press kit can be downloaded at www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts

Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems.  All products are designed to improve print quality and reduce operational costs for flexographic and offset printers.  Flexo Concepts maintains distribution locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.  For more information about the company and its products visit www.flexoconcepts.com.  For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.

Plymouth, MA, June 20, 2018. Flexo Concepts will be a featured supplier at Gallus Innovation Days 2018, where the OEM and partners will present new-to-market innovations and talk about how digital technology is transforming the label market.

The event will take place on June 26-28 at the company’s headquarters in St. Gallen, Switzerland, a larger venue than in previous years. Gallus will introduce its newest digital label printing system, Smartfire, to an audience of 1,000 or more visitors. The press is designed as an easy-to-handle, affordable printing solution for flexo printers who are producing constantly-changing short runs and want to enter the digital market. The company will also run live demonstrations of its new Labelmaster Advanced conventional label press which boasts a modular design that combines exceptional flexibility with a high level of automation.

As one of 30 invited co-suppliers, Flexo Concepts will promote its TruPoint Orange® doctor blade with MicroTip® as a good blade option for label printers. The blade serves as an alternative to steel blades for producing high-quality graphics as well as a solution to common pressroom issues such as UV spitting and short blade life. Due to the blade’s abrasion- and corrosion-resistant material and MicroTip design, TruPoint Orange delivers a smooth and even lay-down of all types of inks and coatings including UV formulas and white inks.

To learn more about the benefits of TruPoint Orange, visitors are encouraged to attend the presentation, “TruPoint Orange – Tomorrow’s Doctor Blade for Today’s Printers,” by Flexo Concepts’ CEO, Kevin McLaughlin. He and international sales representative Bernat Ferrete will be on hand at stand #19 to answer questions and distribute Orange blade samples.

Visit www.gallus-group.com to find out more about the event or to register. For more information about TruPoint Orange or to request a blade sample, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/orange-doctor-blade.

About Flexo Concepts

Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems.  All products are designed to improve print quality and reduce operational costs for flexographic and offset printers.  Flexo Concepts maintains distribution locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.  For more information about the company and its products visit www.flexoconcepts.com.  For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.

Plymouth, MA, June 5, 2018. “Flexo Concepts’ achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross when presenting the President’s “E” award to the company last month.

For the second time this year, Flexo Concepts has been recognized for its strong export initiatives, accepting the latest award at a ceremony in Washington D.C.

The ”E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making what Secretary Ross called “a significant contribution to the expansion of exports.” He presented the award to Flexo Concepts’ owners Kevin McLaughlin and Greg Howell at a service in the Herbert C. Hoover building.

“Since 2001, we have worked hard to expand our presence globally. This prestigious award is an endorsement of our success, and we are extremely proud to be honored in this way,” remarked McLaughlin after receiving the award. Howell, added, “This award reflects the dedication of our entire staff to overcoming the challenges that come with selling overseas. We are thrilled to be able to share it with them.”

In total, Secretary Ross honored 43 U.S. companies and organizations from across the country with the President’s “E” Award for their role in strengthening the U.S. economy by sharing American ingenuity outside of our borders. U.S. companies are nominated for “E” Awards through the U.S. Commercial Service, part of the Department’s International Trade Administration.

The President’s “E” Award represents the second time this year that the company has been distinguished for its focus on growing exports. In April, Flexo Concepts was named Massachusetts SBA “2018 Exporter of the Year” for its commitment to increasing its exports and supporting marketing and distribution programs.

For more information about the “E” Awards and the benefits of exporting, visit www.export.gov. To learn more about Flexo Concepts, go to www.flexoconcepts.com.

About Flexo Concepts

Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. All products are designed to improve print quality and reduce operational costs for flexographic and offset printers. Flexo Concepts maintains distribution locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. For more information about the company and its products visit www.flexoconcepts.com. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.

Plymouth, MA, May 21, 2018. Flexo Concepts® is excited to add 9Septembar to its list of equipment manufacturers whose machine performance is optimized with the TruPoint Orange doctor blade.

The blade is being used on the print station of the tissue converting company’s napkin production line. After trialing TruPoint Orange doctor blades in this application, 9Septembar Chief Engineer Constructor Branko Brković found they “improved performance of the printing section, increased safety during handling operations and were faster and easier to change than other doctor blades.”

Like numerous OEMs, the company will be shipping new napkin machines with the TruPoint Orange blade.  Brković went on to say, “We are satisfied with the durability of the blades and we see Flexo Concepts as a reliable partner in the future.”

Located in Serbia, 9Septembar also manufactures handkerchief-making equipment, slitters and rewinders and sells to over 40 countries worldwide. The company delivers turn-key solutions that  can be customized with a lamination station, a variety of embossing and perforation sections, and wrapping units in addition to print decks with up to 6 colors.

To learn more about TruPoint Orange or request a blade sample, visit Flexo Concepts at www.flexoconcepts.com. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

 About Flexo Concepts

Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems.  All products are designed to improve print quality and reduce operational costs for flexographic and offset printers.  Flexo Concepts maintains distribution locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.  For more information about the company and its products visit www.flexoconcepts.com.  For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.

Plymouth, MA, May 14, 2018. Flexo Concepts® is excited to announce that it will introduce its newest doctor blade, TruPoint Keon, at the China International Battery Fair (CIBF) in Shenzhen on May 22-24, 2018.

The blade will make its debut in the market as a high-precision metering blade that can be used to apply the separator film in the manufacture of lithium ion batteries. The specialized Keon blade material is stiff, durable and highly-resistant to heat and abrasive chemicals, making it an excellent choice in this application. An exact lay-down of coating is required to improve the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the separator film, facilitating the charge and discharge of the battery while preventing short-circuiting.

Considered the largest battery fair in the world, CIBF will provide an opportunity for the doctor blade supplier to network with local industry partners. Flexo Concepts’ Asian Key Account Manager, Steve Kao, will be available to explain the advantages of using TruPoint Keon and handing out mini-blade samples at the company’s stand #1GB020.

To learn more about TruPoint Keon, go to www.flexoconcepts.com. A press kit can be accessed at www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts

Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems.  All products are designed to improve print quality and reduce operational costs for flexographic and offset printers.  Flexo Concepts maintains distribution locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.  For more information about the company and its products visit www.flexoconcepts.com.  For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.

Plymouth, MA, April 30, 2018. Flexo Concepts has been named “2018 Exporter of the Year” for Massachusetts by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The company was selected for innovation in sales, marketing and distribution in the printing and related industries and outstanding growth in export revenue.

SBA Massachusetts Director Robert Nelson reflected on the growth Flexo Concepts has achieved since 2001 when the company began actively focusing on growing its global business: “With exports to 36 countries currently generating 40% of total sales, Flexo Concepts has grown its current export revenue to levels that surpass the company’s total revenue in 2001.”

“We cannot think of an achievement that better represents the efforts of our entire team. Our employees are very proud to receive this recognition,” said Flexo Concepts’ CEO Kevin McLaughlin. He also credited industry partners and organizations like the SBA, MassExport, MassMEP and others who have helped along the way.

The company has been awarded Massachusetts STEP Grants in each of the last 5 years to bolster export activities. Funding was used to support its presence at international trade events that paved the way for new business development relationships.

“There are a lot of challenges selling globally,” added McLaughlin’s business partner and Flexo Concepts President Greg Howell. “It takes a coordinated effort and commitment from everyone in the organization to achieve the success we have had.”

“Flexo Concepts is an exceptional small business and exporter and we are thrilled to see them recognized by the SBA,” said Assistant Secretary of Business Development & International Trade Nam Pham. “We look forward to watching their continued growth.”

For more information about Flexo Concepts, visit www.flexoconcepts.com. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts

Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems.  All products are designed to improve print quality and reduce operational costs for flexographic and offset printers.  Flexo Concepts maintains distribution locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.  For more information about the company and its products visit www.flexoconcepts.com.  For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.

Plymouth, MA, April 24, 2018. At INFOFLEX 2018, Flexo Concepts® will promote the advantages of its TruPoint® premium doctor blades as high-performance blade options that are safer and last longer than steel.

Shipping as the standard blade with many new press installations, TruPoint Orange® meters high anilox line screens effectively and prevents common problems in narrow web pressrooms such as UV ink spitting. For corrugated printers, better spring memory and stiffness make TruPoint Green® a good substitute for UHMW in applications that require mid-level graphics quality.

Visitors to the show can attend the forum presentation, “The Spectrum of Culture: From Employee to Customer,” on May 6^th to learn about the benefits of a company culture that’s aligned between the people inside and outside a company. Flexo Concepts’ representatives Phil Ryan and Rachel Acevedo will share their experiences and offer advice on how to connect the wants, needs and values of the marketplace with those of the employees to create a positive and productive corporate environment.

To learn more or request a blade sample, visit Flexo Concepts at booth #207 at the show or go to www.flexoconcepts.com. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts

Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems.  All products are designed to improve print quality and reduce operational costs for flexographic and offset printers.  Flexo Concepts maintains distribution locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.  For more information about the company and its products visit www.flexoconcepts.com.  For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.

Plymouth, MA, February 26, 2018.  Flexo Concepts will promote new refinements to its innovative MicroTip doctor blade edge at FINAT’s Technical Seminar 2018 in Barcelona. Enhancements to the tip further improve metering precision and reduce waste that occurs during press start-up.

A modification to the revolutionary MicroTip design doubles the tip’s stiffness at the contact point to further refine metering performance on high line screen anilox rolls. An improvement to the manufacturing process also produces a smoother contact edge, eliminating the start-up lines which are experienced sometimes by printers when using polymer doctor blades.

Since its release to the market in 2013, the TruPoint Orange® polymer doctor blade with a MicroTip has been endorsed by numerous press manufacturers. Last year at Labelexpo Europe, Orange was run on equipment by AB Graphic, Cartes, Domino, Edale, Focus, Werosys and others, many of which ship the blade standard with new equipment installations.

To learn more, visit Flexo Concepts at table #6 at the event or go to www.flexoconcepts.com.  To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts

Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems.  All products are designed to improve print quality and reduce operational costs for flexographic and offset printers.  Flexo Concepts maintains distribution locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.  For more information about the company and its products visit www.flexoconcepts.com.  For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.

Plymouth, MA, January 29, 2018. Flexo Concepts has ushered in 2018 with new and easier ways for customers to get in touch. The company is encouraging people to use Live Chat, Facebook Messenger and an online meeting booking tool for personalized service with little-to-no wait and fast response times.

The Live Chat system allows website visitors to converse in real time with a sales or technical representative to find out about products, get troubleshooting support or ask general questions. Customers can also use Facebook Messenger to contact the company, a method that’s expected to be popular with the international market due to time zone differences and high dialing rates.

Live Chat and Facebook Messenger are available on most devices.  Some of the benefits of Facebook Messenger are the ease with which customers can send pictures or video and that the conversation is saved and can be added to over time.  These features make it a great tool for product usage issues and for press operators using the product on 2^nd and 3^rd shifts.

Finally, if a customer has limited access to a phone or internet during the workday, he can use Flexo Concepts’ new meeting booking tool to select a convenient time for a representative to contact him. A call can be general or technical in nature and can be scheduled up to a year in advance.

“We want to be available for customers on the platform or method of their choice,” said Phil Ryan, Flexo Concepts’ Supply Chain and Service Manager. “We still answer the phone with a live person when customers call and we’re active on email. In our private lives, people are using chat and direct messaging more and more to communicate and we think this trend is increasing in the business world.”

These new ways to connect demonstrate Flexo Concepts’ commitment to making doing business with the company easy. Other customer-focused services include short lead times on orders, inventory management programs and consultative selling practices.

For more information about Flexo Concepts, visit www.flexoconcepts.com. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts
Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. All products are designed to improve print quality and reduce operational costs for flexographic and offset printers. Flexo Concepts maintains distribution locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. For more information about the company and its products visit www.flexoconcepts.com. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.

Plymouth, MA, January 23, 2018. Flexo Concepts will again be presenting on Harper’s 2018 U.S. circuit kicking off in Anaheim, California next month. In its new format, renamed its “Expo & Solutions Tour,” Harper is adding an expo segment with up to 24 industry suppliers and presentations centered on fixes for daily pressroom challenges.

At the event, Flexo Concepts National Account Manager Andrew Latosek will examine new applications for non-metallic blades and how they can help reduce a printer’s carbon footprint. He will also explore the various doctor blade tip options available to printers and touch on applications for metering instruments in other industries.

The event will be held on February 15 at the Hilton Anaheim at 777 Convention Way. The tour stops are always hosted by Harper free-of-charge. However, space is limited, and anyone interested in attending should reserve a spot at www.harperimage.com/roadshows/Anaheim-CA/559.

To learn more about TruPoint doctor blades, visit www.flexoconcepts.com. Go to flexoconcepts.com/media to download a complete press kit.

About Flexo Concepts
Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. All products are designed to improve print quality and reduce operational costs for flexographic and offset printers. Flexo Concepts maintains distribution locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. For more information about the company and its products visit www.flexoconcepts.com. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.

Plymouth, MA, December 5, 2017.  Flexo Concepts announced that it has been awarded funding for the fourth time through the Massachusetts State Trade Expansion Program (“STEP”) to support its export activities. The company has sold abroad since 1990 and maintains a thriving overseas presence which includes sales offices in Spain and Taiwan.

Flexo Concepts will use the most recent $12,000 grant to help pay for its exhibition at the FEFCO corrugated technical seminar this past October in Vienna. The grant will also be used to help fund the company’s exhibition at the China International Battery Fair (CIBF) in Shenzhen next May. At CIBF, Flexo Concepts will promote its TruPoint Orange® doctor blade in the fast-growing Asian lithium ion battery market. In this application, Orange is used to apply the coating of the lithium ion battery separator film to facilitate charging and discharging of the battery while preventing short-circuiting.

The Massachusetts State Trade Expansion Program is a collaboration between the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment, the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network and the Massachusetts Export Center. Through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, STEP grant funding (up to $12,000 for 2017-2018) is awarded to eligible businesses in Massachusetts to increase export sales.

For more information about Flexo Concepts, visit www.flexoconcepts.com.  To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts

Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems.  All products are designed to improve print quality and reduce operational costs for flexographic and offset printers.  Flexo Concepts maintains distribution locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.  For more information about the company and its products visit www.flexoconcepts.com.  For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.

Plymouth, MA, November 21, 2017.  Flexo Concepts just announced that it will join with industry partner, Guangzhou Jiaqi, at the International Lithium Battery Technology Exhibition 2017 (IBTE) in Shenzhen, China, November 27-29. The companies will share booth space and promote the TruPoint Orange doctor blade in the fast-growing Asian lithium ion battery market.

In this application, TruPoint Orange blade can be used to apply the coating of the lithium ion battery separator film. A precise lay-down of coating improves the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the film, facilitating the charge and discharge of the battery while preventing short-circuiting. Steve Kao, Flexo Concepts’ Asian Key Account Manager, will be available to explain the benefits of using Orange and offer samples.

Held concurrently with the South China International Lithium Battery Summit Forum, the IBTE show is the largest exhibition of its kind in southern China. The event hosts more than 500 exhibitors, in a 30,000-square meter exhibition hall, and attracts more than 35,000 visitors. For more information about the show, visit www.ibtechina.com.

To learn more about TruPoint Orange doctor blades in this application or to obtain a sample, visit Flexo Concepts at IBTE at stand 7B71. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts

Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. All products are designed to improve print quality and reduce operational costs for flexographic and offset printers. Flexo Concepts maintains distribution locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. For more information about the company and its products visit www.flexoconcepts.com. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.

Plymouth, MA, November 20, 2017.  Flexo Concepts announced that it has completed the installation of a solar renewable energy system. The system “went live” on October 17, and the building occupied by the company is now 100% powered by solar-generated electricity.

Last fall, company owners Kevin McLaughlin and Greg Howell hired Hopkinton-based Solect Energy to do a solar feasibility study for the multi-use commercial property housing Flexo Concepts and several tenants. The study confirmed the economic viability of the project, and Solect began work on the development, design, engineering, construction and interconnection of a solar energy system.

Installation, which included 850 panels on the roof, 40 power inverters and all materials required to connect the energy to the building and electric grid, was completed over a 5-month period. The system generates 290kW of power – equivalent to the electricity used by about 30 average-sized homes in the U.S. – and powers all lighting, heating, air conditioning, and machinery and equipment for Flexo Concepts and the co-located companies.

The solar project is part of a bigger Flexo Concepts’ initiative to “go green.” In 2016, the facility was outfitted with LED lighting, a move that resulted in an annual reduction in energy use significant enough to power six homes for a year. The company also recycles about 80% of its blade material scrap along with all its cardboard waste and employee food packaging.

Visit www.flexoconcepts.com to learn more about Flexo Concepts. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts

Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. All products are designed to improve print quality and reduce operational costs for flexographic and offset printers. Flexo Concepts maintains distribution locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. For more information about the company and its products visit www.flexoconcepts.com.  For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.

Plymouth, MA, October 18, 2017. Flexo Concepts announced plans to attend the MPS Flexo Innovation Open House on October 26 as a featured supplier.

The event promises to “bring Labelexpo innovation to you,” emphasizing extreme high definition printing, high-speed shrink sleeve production and industry 4.0 connectivity. Visitors will be treated to presentations and tabletop displays at Lambeau Field followed by live equipment demonstrations at the new state-of-the-art Demo & Applications Technology Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  The technology center, where MPS displays a 10-color 17” EF multi-substrate flexo press equipped with UV/LED, hot air dryers and numerous converting options, was recently opened by MPS Systems North America and Green Bay Packaging.

Displaying its TruPoint Orange® doctor blades, Flexo Concepts will be among various prominent industry suppliers being featured at the open house. Co-sponsors of the event include Green Bay Packaging, Kodak, EMT International and RotoControl. Printers and converters can visit www.mps4u.com  for more information or to register for this free event.

Visit www.flexoconcepts.com to learn more about Flexo Concepts and the TruPoint Orange doctor blade. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

 About Flexo Concepts

Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. All products are designed to improve print quality and reduce operational costs for flexographic and offset printers.  Flexo Concepts maintains distribution locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.  For more information about the company and its products visit www.flexoconcepts.com. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.