On 18 August 2021, SMI Coated Products, a label stock solutions company, and FLEXcon Company, an innovator in adhesive coating and laminating, announced their partnership to provide durable label stocks across India. SMI Coated Products and FLEXcon are both family-owned companies with multiple generations actively involved in their operations.
Among the largest label stock companies in India, SMI enjoys a strong brand presence among printers and converters. Until now, SMI has offered a wide range of paper and filmic label stock solutions using acrylic and rubber-based hot melt adhesives. By partnering with FLEXcon, SMI will provide polyester and vinyl label stocks with high-performance adhesives ideal for harsh environment labeling.
SMI will initially provide eight of FLEXcon’s UL-recognized base films along with one robust overlaminate. The products will complement SMI’s existing offering to provide a full range of solutions across the automotive, outdoor power equipment, power tool, appliance, and electronics markets.
“FLEXcon has the capabilities to produce label materials that will enable SMI to penetrate the durables market in their region effectively,” says John Forster, VP international sales and corporate development, FLEXcon. “This synergistic relationship will allow SMI and FLEXcon to jointly provide exceptional products into the Indian market without the challenges of time differential or cultural barrier.”
The offering will include selections from established product lines such as THERMLfilm NEXgen and COMPUcal EXCEL as well as FLEXcon’s recently launched FLEXcon NEXgen line. According to FLEXcon, these products are UL-recognized and easily adaptable to a printer/converter’s UL file, enabling them to support equipment OEMs that sell in regions of the world that require it. Most products also comply with both REACH and RoHS, according to the company. The products utilize some of FLEXcon’s highest-performing adhesives along with topcoats that optimize printability with conventional, digital and hybrid printing platforms. Products will be stocked in either 27 inches or 30 inches masters with custom finishing available from SMI.
“The addition of durable labeling products from FLEXcon to our offering is in line with SMI’s resolve to provide consistently relevant solutions to our customers in an ever-broadening durable labels market,” says Ajay Mehta, founder and managing director, SMI. “As solutions partners working collaboratively, the two companies can ensure that printer/converters in our region have convenient access to the highest-performing materials on the market today.”