Flexo Label Advantage Group (FLAG) hosted another successful edition of its Annual Members Meeting. More than 115 Members and Vendor Partners gathered in Buffalo, NY, USA, from June 11-13, 2024, for the 12th Annual Meeting. Attendees were treated to education, networking, and a deep dive into how to improve their businesses.

This year, Niagara Label served as the host of the highly anticipated Member Tour, which allows attendees to get an inside look at a successful converting operation. FLAG also provided an expansive Vendor Partner Tabletop Expo to showcase the newest product offerings available to members.

According to JC McKay, president, FLAG, the organization has reached 141 Members and signed 12 new Members during 2023. He also announced several Member milestones, as 53 companies have saved more than $100,000, another 15 have saved more than $500,000, and six companies have saved more than $1 million thanks to FLAG’s initiatives. Overall, FLAG’s programs have saved Members more than $35 million.

“The formula of success in our group is simple and hasn’t changed in 14 years, but it takes everyone working together to achieve it,” says JC McKay. “And that formula is one of the main reasons we’ve seen so many Members achieve such amazing savings milestones.”

“The opportunity here at FLAG is yours, and there’s always going to be another challenge,” added John McKay, FLAG founder. “We work together to solve those challenges. We’ve always embraced a win-win-win motto, and our group is the advantage.”

The attendance comprised 55% Members, 32% Vendor Partners, and 13% of the dedicated FLAG team. Overall, 64 total companies were represented at the event.

“Our meeting has always been about driving value back to our Members and Vendor Partners – real value that they can take back to their businesses,” comments JC McKay. “Bringing so many of our Members and Vendor Partners together at the meeting really helps deliver on that.”

More than ever, FLAG’s value has been emphasized as M&A continues to leave its mark on the label and package printing industry. FLAG strives to provide bottom-line profits, new potential sales growth, catastrophic backup plans, and technical and business resources to Members. These advantages are typically experienced by companies that have been acquired, except FLAG allows Members to retain their independence.

These topics were highlighted during a lively panel discussion on June 13, entitled, “Level Up!” Harmonized Label’s Brian Boecklen, M&R Label’s Steve Brownstone, and ATL Corp.’s Abby Gustavson explored the latest trends impacting independent label companies. In a panel moderated by Dwane Wall, the trio delved into challenges and solutions for topics ranging from workforce development to new technology adoption.

“The most important thing at Harmonized Label is making sure people know there’s an opportunity to grow as a person and as an employee,” stated Boecklen. “We’re so small that you’re going to learn something new every day. It’s important to empower people and give them decision-making capability, and that allows owners to not have to worry every single day about operations.”

“We give everybody the opportunity to see new things and expand their knowledge in labels and the overall industry,” added Gustavson. “We heavily cross-train our operators to run multiple pieces of equipment so we’re always there to better serve our customers.”

From a technology standpoint, Brownstone noted the benefits of investing in a new Bobst hybrid press. For Harmonized Label, software has been critical. Technology is also paramount in addressing labor shortages.

“We’ve invested in Hybrid Software and in Label Traxx, and our systems talk to each other,” remarked Boecklen. “It’s awesome, and we don’t even touch anything.

“We’re in the email elimination business. We want to train our customers to use Siteline and get answers whenever they need them,” added Boecklen. “That way they don’t have to wait for responses. This process is going to help us grow our business, especially with the younger generation. Technology is helping us please buyers and operations people because they can get information at their fingertips.”

The FLAG Annual Meeting welcomed several guest speakers, as well. L&NW’s Greg Hrinya delivered a “State of the Industry” presentation, while keynote speaker David Avrin explored the customer experience and standing out in a crowd.

“Quality is incredibly important, but it’s assumed today,” said Avrin. “At the beginning of the day it’s about quality, and you better start with that. At the end of the day, it’s about competitive advantage. It’s not about what you do well, it’s about what you do better than your competition.

“We’re learning what works and what doesn’t work, and what doesn’t work is making our customers do more work,” added Avrin. “There is a 100-times better chance of winning a business with a reply within five minutes. When communication is restricted or delayed, problems escalate quickly. You also need to be ridiculously easy to complain to.”

In addition, JC McKay and LPC Inc.’s Jackie Kuehlmann hosted a Digital Marketing Workshop to explore how Members can grow and promote their businesses with the latest available technologies.

According to JC, the average person spends about 145 minutes on social media every day. Meanwhile, 78% of people use social media as their primary source of finding information on brands, while 81% admit to judging a company’s credibility based on social media.

“What you’re putting online needs to be authentic to you and your company,” added Kuehlmann.

Finally, JC and John McKay announced the winners of FLAG’s annual awards. Hybrid Software garnered the Vendor Partner of the Year Award, while Jackie Kuehlmann was honored with the Brad Brown Strategic Partner of the Year. Plus, Nova Label’s Alan Rich was recognized as a FLAG Hall of Famer for attending all 12 Annual Meetings. An active Peer Group member, Rich was lauded for seeing FLAG’s vision from its inception.

Niagara Label, which has saved more than $1 million with FLAG’s programs, was also recognized for serving as the Member Tour host.

“Our Annual Meeting would not be what it is without the tour,” stated JC. “The Member host opens up their doors to our guests, and this experience is something you can only get at a FLAG Meeting. Nowhere else in the industry can you experience this.”