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FLEXcon Celebrates Fifty Years
Spencer, Massachusetts—In March 2006, FLEXcon, a leading manufacturer of pressure- sensitive film and adhesive products, marked the start of their fiftieth year of operation.
From its origin as a small. garage-based business in Spencer, Massachusetts, FLEXcon has grown into one of the world's premier polymeric coaters and providers of pressure-sensitive film and adhesive products. For a half century, FLEXcon has remained a family-owned, privately held company that values the long-term loyalty of customers, employees, suppliers, and the communities in which it operates.
"We strive to blend the original, small company approach with the resources of a global corporation," notes Neil McDonough, who became President of the company in 1990 after holding a variety of Manufacturing, Sales, and Management positions during the previous nine years. "Throughout our history, we have worked closely with our customers, learning their application needs and challenges. Then we combine our products and know-how with their converting and printing expertise to arrive at the best solution."
FLEXcon was founded in 1956 by Neil McDonough's father, Myles. In those early years, the fledgling company focused on laminating vinyl and metallic polyesters for use in women's shoes and handbags. Among his values that permeate the company to this day, Myles McDonough emphasized doing whatever it takes to meet customer needs. A typical example of his ingenuity was building a slitter/rewinder using motors from discarded washing machines. Today, Myles McDonough continues to serve as Chairman of the company's board of directors.
Through the years, FLEXcon's product line and capabilities expanded to meet changing requirements within the industry. This included the increased demand for dyed, brushed, embossed, and topcoated products in the '60s; the growth of sheet-form labeling and dramatic expansion of roll-form-labeling in the '70s; the introduction of variable print technologies in the '80s; and the birth of "no-label-look" labels for glass bottles, which FLEXcon pioneered in the '90s for Clearly Canadian.
As they enter their second half-century, FLEXcon continues to innovate. For example, they have launched their Value-Better-Supreme (VBS) product offering, a line of more than 500 pressure-sensitive film and adhesive products designed for the most popular end-use applications across a wide range of industries. VBS products meet a variety of price, performance, and delivery needs, and represent the largest standard product offering in the pressure-sensitive film/adhesive industry. The company also continues to emphasize an industry-leading ability to create custom products to meet unique application and converting needs.
As an innovative and progressive company, FLEXcon adopted a Quality Management System in the 1980s, achieved ISO certification and OSHA VPP status in the 1990s, and integrated Lean Manufacturing practices in the 2000s. All of these programs are ongoing today.
The company employs 1,200 people worldwide, with manufacturing facilities located in Spencer, Massachusetts; Columbus, Nebraska; and Glenrothes, Scotland. The company also has sales offices throughout North America and Europe and distribution worldwide.
For additional information, call 508/885-1532 or visit www.FLEXcon.com.
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