The label community joined together last night to celebrate the achievements and outstanding contributions made by the finalists and winners at the Label Industry Global Awards 2014. Held as part of Labelexpo Americas at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Chicago, over 450 of the sector’s leading manufacturers, printers and converters paid tribute to their peers at the glittering awards ceremony.

Suzanne Zaccone, executive vice-chairman and formerly president and co-owner of GSI Technologies received a standing ovation as she was presented with the prestigious 2014 R. Stanton Avery Lifetime Achievement Award. Suzanne is the first female recipient of the illustrious accolade which is sponsored by Avery Dennison in recognition of Stan Avery and his pioneering efforts. Describing Suzanne as a trailblazer extraordinaire, she was honored for her determination in business and commitment to the industry as an inspiring role model and magnanimous mentor. 

Suzanne, together with her brother Bob Zaccone, founded GSI Technologies in 1985 to produce prime and anti-counterfeit labels and polycarbonate overlays. From 1998 to 2000 Suzanne was the TLMI’s chairman/president. Suzanne has also been president of the board of directors to the DiTrolio Flexographic Institute since 2000. Suzanne was to go on and beat breast cancer in 2009, publishing her book, ‘A Random Interruption: Surviving Breast Cancer with Laughter, Vodka, Smoothies and an Attitude’ in 2010. 

The Award for Innovation (over 300 employees), sponsored by Flint Group Narrow Web was received by Avery Dennison. Avery Dennison has introduced two innovative products designed to help converters in tire manufacturing: a barcode label that is vulcanized into an automobile’s tier for the traceability of its lifetime and a tread label applied to the tire’s exterior for point-of-purchase impact.

The Award for Innovation (under 300 employees), sponsored by Flint Group Narrow Web was presented to joint winners Stephanos Karydakis S.A. and Nuova GIDUE. Stephanos Karydakis’s winning innovation was a multi-active label that incorporates thermo-chromic ink, spot matt and gloss varnish, metalized foil and digital watermarking. It tells consumers when the environment temperature on packaged goods is correct for opening and communicates through a smart phone with the consumer through digital watermarking anywhere on the label. 

Nuova GIDUE took the award for its system of technologies to digitize and automate the work flow, set-up and running of a flexographic label and packaging press. The system provides digital automation and on-the-fly exchange of printing and converting tools - all targeted at reducing manual intervention by the operator and to provide consistent, reproducible, efficient and cost-effective press performance.

Bio4Life BV triumphed in the Award for Sustainability, sponsored by Xeikon. Bio4Life was presented with the award for its combining of a biodegradable face material with a biodegradable adhesive to provide an EN certified solution for fruit labeling.

Mike Fairley, chairman of judges said: “The caliber of this year’s entrants was exceptionally high and it has been one of the toughest judging sessions we have had in the awards’ history. The winners, especially Suzanne have had an enormous impact on the industry and their significant contributions across all parts of the label printing and converting business have been far and wide reaching. My congratulations go to all of the finalists and winners at this year’s awards.”