Foil Stamping & Embossing Association

The Foil Stamping and Embossing Association (FSEA) hosted a record turnout at its 11th national convention at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas in Scottsdale, Ariz. in April. A group of over one hundred and fifty attendees and guests gathered from 10 different countries to enjoy three days of educational programming, networking opportunities, and the warmth and sunshine of Scottsdale. Speaker highlights included PIA/GATF CEO/President Michael Makin in a State of the Industry address, Rich MacInnes from Net Results on lean practices, a technology panel on new trends with foil and finishing and an entire afternoon track on ‘Pathways to Finishing Green’. The convention kicked off with the Supplier Trade Fair and Welcome Reception where participants had the opportunity to visit with industry vendors and peers in a festive pavilion with a southwestern flare. The event attracted area print/finishing companies, in addition to convention attendees. Adventure in the Sonoran Desert with a desert Hummer excursion and golf tournament at Stone Creek Golf Club drew a record number of participants who happily soaked up the sunshine and warmth of the day! The convention culminated with the FSEA’s gala Gold Leaf Awards Banquet, where guests had the rare opportunity to experience a Native American hoop dance. McGraphics, Inc. of Nashville, Tenn., received the prestigious ‘Best of Show’ award for its Halloween invitation set and Prism Grafix from Australia received an Honorable Mention for its 2008 calendar. Among the many awards presented to all the 2007 Gold Leaf Award Winners, special recognition was given to past FSEA Chairman Kevin Bennitt (Fine Arts Engraving) and to the FSEA 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, Fred Isler (Bobst Group North America). Visit our gallery of photos from the 2008 FSEA National Convention.

FSEA Offers Lean Training through Net Results

The Foil Stamping & Embossing Association (FSEA) and Net Results, Inc. have developed a new program together to offer FSEA members Net Results Lean Enterprise training courses at a discounted rate. These training courses are based on the Lean Enterprise Memory Jogger series published by GOAL/QPC. The Lean Enterprise courses offer a practical knowledge base to transform your company into a Lean Enterprise, retaining valued customers when price and cost pressures continue to be a challenge. Course content emphasizes identification and prevention of waste (i.e., extra time, labor, materials, motion, etc.). The Lean Enterprise courses include the following: Introduction to the Lean Enterprise, Error Proofing, Visual Management, Quick Changeover, Mapping the Value Stream, and Total Productive Maintenance.
Rich MacInnes, CEO of Net Results, Inc., and author of the Lean Enterprise Memory Jogger series, will be giving two presentations at the upcoming FSEA National Convention in Scottsdale. Come hear Rich to learn more about Lean techniques and more about the upcoming courses at the special FSEA member rate.

Site Announced for 2009 IADD/FSEA Odyssey

The International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking (IADD) and the Foil Stamping and Embossing Association (FSEA) are pleased to announce the site for the 2009 IADD/FSEA Odyssey – the only trade exhibition targeted specifically to diecutting, diemaking, foil stamping, embossing, and other trade finishing processes. Slated for May 6-8, 2009, at the Cobb Galleria, Atlanta, Ga., the 2009 Odyssey promises to be the most exciting, industry-specific event of the year. Coming off of the record-breaking attendance recorded at the 2007 Odyssey (May 2007 in Milwaukee, Wis.), from both attendees and exhibitors alike, excitement over the 2009 event continues to mount.

From programming to the trade exposition, some exciting changes are in the works to enhance the overall Odyssey experience for both attendees and exhibitors – offering even more value across the board. Once again, the three-day event will allow attendees the opportunity to experience a combination of a fully operational TechShop™ floor; industry-specific educational sessions; and a one-of-a-kind exhibition hall. For the most recent information on the 2009 IADD/FSEA Odyssey, visit www.iadd.org or contact the IADD directly at (800) 828-IADD or the FSEA at (785) 271-5816.

2008 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient - Fred Isler

The Foil Stamping & Embossing Association is pleased to present its 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award to Alfred ‘Fred’ Isler of Bobst Group. The prestigious award recognizes Isler for his nearly five decades of commitment to the growth of the foil stamping and embossing industry and for his leadership in introducing revolutionary technologies, especially in the areas of large format stamping, embossing, and diecutting.

Isler began to work for Bobst S.A. in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1960. Six years later he transferred to Bobst Group USA as a field service technician and began to work with others to develop a Bobst 49″ hot foil stamping prototype for Hallmark Cards, Inc. A year later, Isler installed the 49″ unit at Alford Packaging, the first company to produce cigarette and cosmetic packaging on a large format machine. In 1973 Isler was promoted to Bobst’s technical staff and moved to company headquarters in Roseland, N.J., where he was instrumental in introducing Bobst folder-gluers in the North American market and would be heavily involved in customer training for the next 20 years. After numerous other promotions, Isler became director of Special Technical and Sales Support in 1992, responsible for customer demonstrations and training courses for customers and Bobst Group USA technicians and sales staff. In 1993 Isler became vice president and general manager of Bobst Canada. Although he officially retired from the company in 2006, Isler will continue to handle one major account for Bobst until next year.

Isler’s strong leadership qualities and dedication to customer service have earned him a reputation of the highest regard among industry peers. He will be honored at the FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Banquet on April 12, 2008, in Scottsdale, Ariz., in conjunction with the FSEA National Convention, April 10-12.

2007 Wage and Benefit Survey

Following a similar survey conducted in 2001/2002, this survey is designed to provide FSEA members and others with detailed statistical information regarding the foil stamping and embossing industry. The 2007 survey also includes information regarding benefits, as benefits are increasingly an issue in employee recruitment and retention. The survey has been completed by companies actively involved in the foil stamping and embossing/trade finishing industry, allowing others in our industry to benchmark their own policies. This survey is FREE to members of the FSEA and can be accessed through the Members Only section of the site. Non-members can purchase this document through our FSEA Bookstore.

Members Only Section

Current members will be able to access valuable information - information that can be utilized internally to increase productivity and efficiencies, such as with archived InsideFinishing technical articles and reports and ‘Question and Answer’ technical articles. Information also can be accessed and utilized to ‘sell the value of foil and embossing’ such as with case studies and research studies – formatted and designed as presentations – just print and you’re ready to go! Updated continuously, this section will be a valuable source of information to help our members increase their bottom line. Other items you will find in the future in this section include survey results, benchmark studies, and more. Members will receive their usernames and passwords soon.

FSEA Bookstore

Visit our online Bookstore. It has all of the offerings from the Foil Stamping and Embossing Association available and will soon include links to publications from our members.

Designer's Guide 2nd Edition

"A Different Breed: The Designers Guide to Foil Stamping and Embossing." reference guide created to take you on a journey through and exotic world of color, texture and dimensions. An informative sample oriented book for designers and printers and a unique marketing tool for foil stampers and embossers. The 2nd Edition includes updated information and a new section on preparing artwork.

Employee Recognition Program

The FSEA Employee Recognition Program is a great way to show appreciation and recognition to your employees for a job well done. It’s easy, affordable, and is available now through the Foil Stamping and Embossing Association.