Page 15 - FINAT Yearbook 2011

languages and cultures to content with - but FINAT can spearhead the drive to European label industry unity, creating a very functional working forum as an umbrella organisation, and via meaning- ful relationships and dialogues with the national associations, both in Europe and beyond. In the self-adhesive label community, we must not forget that we are increasingly part of the global packaging community and thus of the extended global consumer goods market. That means we need to develop a completely new mindset.’
The establishment of the Young Managers’ Club has represented a major move in this direction, educating the upcoming generation of converter company managers in ways in which they can develop and drive their future business. During last year’s Labelexpo India, the YMC ran a successful exchange
and networking event with the Indian label association, LMAI, and has held its first-ever Summit in Vienna this spring. ‘With 60 members today, and its own – very active – Board, chaired by Francesc Egea, the YMC is bringing together tomorrow’s industry leaders, within the context of an international networking environment that also gives them access to expert briefings on various aspects of business – management tools, for example – and the technicalities of self- adhesive labelling’, says Mr Walker. ‘It’s no longer enough to be a skilled press operator to be successful in label converting’, comments Mr Vimercati, adding: ‘Our next ambitions – and they are well on the way to becoming a reality – are to organise a global YMC Congress in 2012, and the YMC Board is already working on the structure of a strong, challenging, business-enabling agenda for its members.’
legislation and sustainability
Other items on the agenda during Mr Vimercati’s Presidency which continue to be priorities over Mr Walker’s Presidency are lobbying around legislation and, of course, the whole sustainability agenda. ‘Both these activities must be viewed in a global context’, says Kurt Walker. ‘While FINAT must be the “central processor” in Europe, we must also reach out to other regions like TLMI and LATMA, and to the global organisations. Legislation and sustainability issues don’t stop at country borders today. I wonder if, even today, we yet understand the future implications of REACH around the world.’
interactive website
The new FINAT commitment to open communication within the membership will soon be supported by an advanced
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