Koozie Group Invests in Digital Web Press
All Souvenir® Sticky Note™ Pads and Scratch Pads Are Being Printed on This New Technology
(February 3, 2023 – Sleepy Eye, MN) Koozie Group has installed a digital web press in its Sleepy Eye, MN, location. The new equipment is being used to print all the company’s Souvenir® Sticky Note™ pads and scratch pads, along with select calendar styles.
The Sleepy Eye facility has always been on the cutting edge of print technology, and the promotional products industry has recognized that pioneering spirit with numerous industry awards for innovation and quality.
“Printing is moving into the digital age,” said Sleepy Eye Site Manager Jeff Ibberson. “As industry leaders in print-related categories, we’re always looking for ways to improve. The digital printing process comes with many benefits for customers, and we’re proud to be investing in our facility so we can remain on the forefront of the field.”
One of the main benefits of the new press is color consistency. Customers will see consistent tints and colors across individual sheets as well as across each item within an entire order. Additionally, the ability to match color on reorders of products originally produced on this press is significantly increased. “With our old press, color consistency depended on the operator making manual adjustments. The digital press eliminates this human touch, and customers should enjoy truer blues and dependable color output from order to order,” explained Steve Miller, Color Management Specialist in Sleepy Eye. Miller also noted that registration, the way inks are lined up to lay on top of each other in traditional printing methods, will no longer rely on mechanical and human factors.
The facility is finding that the new digital technology appeals to operators of all generations because the job tasks are more computer based versus mechanical. From the company’s perspective, this makes it easier to recruit, train, and retain these key team members. The press also offers some labor efficiencies, which should result in more stable production times, a real win for customers.
The press was installed last summer. Manufacturing specialists spent a great deal of time calibrating and refining the output on the press and now consider it fully operational. The company added a new finishing line at the same time to automate cutting and other required processes.
Fun Fact: A roll of paper for the digital press weighs around 1,000 pounds, and the machine can run 1.5 rolls of paper in an hour. All paper used in Souvenir® Sticky Note™ pads and scratch pads is now either Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) or Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) certified.
Koozie Group Exceeds Keep It. Give It. (KG) Factor Goal
77% of Product Assortment Designed to Lessen Environmental Impact through Longevity
(January 25, 2023 – Clearwater, FL) Koozie Group announced today that 77% of their product assortment – a total of 1,944 items – has earned the organization’s KG Factor designation, which identifies products whose designs lessen environmental impact through longevity. The company’s goal was to reach the 50% mark by 2024.
Since late 2020, the supplier has been working with a third-party, Hanover Research, to conduct impartial end-user surveys to identify KG Factor items. The initiative is part of Koozie Group’s product strategy as it relates to their social impact and sustainability commitment called Keep It. Give It.
“Our sustainability approach for product development is rooted in longevity,” said Pierre Montaubin, Chief Product and Sustainability Officer. “We know not all products or components can be made from recycled materials, so we are focused on maximizing brand impressions and creating quality, lasting products that don’t end up in a landfill.”
“Four out of five people would keep or give a KG Factor product because it was useful, functional, durable, and attractive. Additionally, 85% of respondents said they would keep these items until they break,” said Melissa Ralston, Chief Revenue Officer with Koozie Group. “The KG Factor gives our distributors a simple way to identify high-quality items that have appeal and longevity in the marketplace.”
Cumulatively, Hanover Research gathered responses from 25,729 men and women ages 18 – 75+ from all 50 states and household incomes. Participants viewed items from Koozie Group’s assortment and answered questions to determine what they would do if they received the product, why they would take that action, and how long they would keep the item. Products that received a minimum score based on these answers received the KG Factor designation.
The promotional products supplier began working on the KG Factor project after seeing increased interest in social responsibility from their employees.
“The KG Factor is one way we have evolved the way we do business to benefit our people, customers, communities, and the promotional products industry,” said Montaubin. “We’re thrilled to have met our goal well ahead of schedule, and the KG Factor project has been a springboard for other sustainability and social impact efforts such as Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) certification for our facilities, Fair Labor Association participation, as well as minimizing our carbon footprint throughout the supply chain. Our teams are excited for the next chapter in this journey.”
All KG Factor items can be easily found from the company’s homepage at kooziegroup.com and are identified with the KG Factor icon on applicable product pages. KG Factor items are also identified in Koozie Group’s marketing materials.
More information on the entire Keep it. Give it. program can be found in the social impact and sustainability commitment annual report, available HERE.