Future Links April 19th

Staples is selling its print solution business
Taylor Corp., a Minnesota-based marketing company, announced that it has agreed to acquire the assets of Staples Print Solutions, a division of Framingham-based office supply retailer Staples. Staples Print Solutions offers businesses printing services such as business cards and brochures to labels and packaging. The move comes as Staples is divesting some of its assets as it tries to acquire its rival Office Depot. The acquisition of Office Depot is currently challenged by the Federal Trade Commission over antitrust concerns.
More at Boston Business Journal

For Smurfit Kappa, 13 is a lucky number
Winning an award is an honor but winning 13 in one night is testimony to the consistency and quality of a company. Smurfit Kappa was awarded 13 medals at the 2016 European Flexographic Industry Association (EFIA) Awards. The packaging major took home four golds for its solutions for valued brands Jack Daniels, Huggies, Le Rouge and Standard Brands, along with a number of Silver and Bronze awards. The awards were won by Smurfit Kappa sites in the UK and Ireland.
More at Packaging News

Amcor to acquire flexible packaging manufacturer Alusa
Several of Amcor’s important customers are in South America. It therefore makes sense for Amcor to acquire South America’s largest flexible packaging manufacturer Alusa that operates four plants in South America including Alusa in Chile, Peruplast in Peru, Aluflex in Argentina and Flexa in Colombia. The deal is valued at 435 million USD.
More at Packaging Business Review

Airbus Group launches 3D printing Aerospace Factory
As 3D printing offers significant savings in airplane production and operation, the Airbus Group has embraced the new technology. Now, it is dedicating a new center to 3D printing. The Aerospace Factory, envisioned as a center for 3D printing, will research innovative production methods for the aerospace industry and develop them to maturity. The Aerospace Factory will be based on the Ludwig Bölkow Campus, an interdisciplinary venture between industry and universities at the Ottobrunn/Taufkirchen site.
More at 3D fab+print

SLA technology may be the way to go for printing pills
After the FDA approval for 3D printed SPRITAM pills against epilepsy, printing medication has become a sought-after capability that is being explored by industry and academics. Researchers at the University College London School of Pharmacy are working with the company FabRx. The researchers found substantial difference in the tools they used for this study, finding much greater success with the SLA printer compared to an FDM printer. They also found a way to make pills that must incorporate drugs that are thermos-sensitive.
More at 3D Print

Heidelberg offers business consulting to boost productivity
In today’s competitive market, the need to streamline business processes continues to rise. Heidelberg Business Consulting has programs designed to optimize a business’s full potential by analyzing production, equipment, workflow and customers. Each business consulting program is tailored to fit customers’ needs and requirements from off-the-shelf, standardized programs through to fully customized programs. Consultants will work with the management team to prioritize strategies in line with specific business goals and objectives.
More at Graphic Repro Online

Manroland to highlight B1 Evolution at drupa 2016
Press manufacturer manroland Sheetfed will showcase the new iteration of its B1 Evolution 700 at drupa next month. The company says the press has been developed in response to the increasingly complex challenges facing printers today, and says its flexibility and print quality have kept it in constant demand around the world since its launch in 2014. Its sleek, futuristic design also won it the prestigious 2015 Red Dot Design Award in 2015.
More at ProPrint