Supplier News - July 2011

HEIDELBERG, Germany—The 1-TAG technology from Heidelberg offers brand goods manufacturers protection against product piracy, and a simple way for end-use customers to check the authenticity of products using a smartphone. 1-TAG security labels are comprised of a pattern of randomly generated copper threads and an accompanying unique 2-dimensional quick response (QR) code. The combination of these two elements on the product itself or on the packaging creates a unique identity for each product, comparable to a human fingerprint.

Free mobile software (app) specifically developed for this technology allows end users to check the authenticity of the labeled products quickly and easily using a smartphone. The check takes place directly on the user's phone without the need for a network connection. Consumers can download the relevant apps free of charge from the Apple Store and the Google Android Market. To check the authenticity of a product labeled with 1-TAG technology, the software scans the security label and detects immediately whether the content of the QR code matches the pattern of the neighboring copper threads.

"We designed 1-TAG primarily as a security system for brand goods manufacturers and their end customers to provide better protection against counterfeit products," says Stephan Plenz, member of the Heidelberg Management Board responsible for Equipment. "For the first time, this technology allows brand goods manufacturers to incorporate their customers into the process of counterfeit protection. Thanks to its high level of security and simple user handling, 1-TAG offers extremely effective protection, particularly for health- or security-critical products."

Flex Essentials, Flexo Wash Announce Distributor Agreement

CALEDON EAST, Ontario—Jim Waslowski, President of Flex Essentials Inc., and Michael Potter, CEO of Flexo Wash LLC, announced an agreement for Flex Essentials to be the exclusive agency to represent Flexo Wash products in Canada and Western New York State.

Waslowski states, "We have been searching at length for the best washing equipment to provide to our customers, which demonstrates the utmost in value and performance in this area of expertise.  These [Flexo Wash products] are great value products to add to our equipment line."

"This relationship with Flex Essentials gives us a much stronger representation in Canada, which is one of the focus areas for our growth in this decade," says Potter.