Four relevant topics will be discussed in Copenhagen at the Converter-only Roundtables, a new feature at the European Label Forum 2019: Sustainability & Recycling, Technology Investment, Marketing, and NextGen Workforce. These roundtables dedicated are an exclusive part of the annual event FINAT for the label industry, which takes place from 5 to 7 June in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Converter Roundtables provide label company owners and managers an opportunity to discuss current and future challenges and developments with peers from different countries. How are other converters approaching these issues?  

All discussions will comply with FINAT’s antitrust guidelines and will take place in accordance with the so-called Chatham House Rule: anyone who comes to the meeting is free to use information from the discussion but is not allowed to reveal who made any comment. It is designed to increase openness of discussion.

The four main topics of the new converter roundtable feature were chosen based on the results of an online survey among FINAT converter members:

1. Sustainability & recycling
   Labels and flexible packaging are the ‘ambassadors of sustainability par excellence’ as they are everywhere in a consumer’s life. Following the recent public and EU focus on single-use plastics, might there be a changing attitude towards the sourcing of composite packaging materials by brand-owners and retailer private brands? What are the industry experiences in proactively offering recycling solutions to the market?
2. Technology investment
   Being able to produce digitally printed labels is more and more becoming a vendor requirement from the part of the brand-owners. Whilst the increasing demand for ever shorter runs, variable information and personalised branding is evident, the inherent overcapacity is also a business risk on top of the investment costs for digital label printing equipment. How are label companies handling this dilemma?
3. Marketing
   Label procurement is no longer only a matter of personal relationships between buyer and seller. Procurement departments have been centralised, being increasingly carried out via electronic tenders. In general, the way of marketing has changed with the digital world. How are in overall terms label companies adapting their marketing strategy?
4. NextGen Workforce
   Recruitment and retention of young talent are among the top 3 challenges for business leaders in the European label industry. The participants of the roundtable will discuss the industry best practices in bringing in the next generation of talent and what the label industry can do to ensure the alignment of education systems with the changing skillset.

The FINAT ELF is THE place to be to exchange knowledge. Participants learn about the latest trends and developments affecting the label industry, exchange experiences and network with peers during the conference sessions, breaks, the evening events and at the Tabletop Exhibition and of course during the converters-only round table discussions.

See full details of the ELF 2019 programme