Kolmar Labs Group | Latest News

Promotion of Russ Dancho to Vice President & General Manager

February 1, 2008

It is my pleasure to announce that Russ Dancho has been promoted to the position of Vice President & General Manager of Kolmar Laboratories Group's Port Jervis facility. This promotion is recognition for his dedication and efforts to improve our business and position as our customers' preferred supplier. His leadership skills have been especially valuable over the last 2 years as our parent company has strained and ultimately divested most of their operating divisions. Russ has been appointed to the Company's Executive Committee which is chaired by Bob Blanchard, our Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. In this capacity Russ will be a key participant in the development of the strategy to rebuild the Company's business and reputation within the Cosmetic Industry.

Please join me in congratulating Russ on his promotion and provide him with your complete support and cooperation. He is truly deserving of this recognition.

Robert E. Theroux, President, COO

Koert VanderVoort Joins Kolmar Labs Group

January 20, 2008

It is my pleasure to announce that Koert VanderVoort will join the company as Vice President of Sales for Kolmar Laboratories Group. He will begin his employment on February 4, 2008.

Koert has worked for years within the cosmetics industry as a Vice President of Sales for Symrise and Cosmolab and during that time has developed an extensive contact list within the Product Development and Procurement departments of many major marketers of color products. Many of Koert's contacts are with companies that Kolmar does not currently have a business relationship with and we see this as an opportunity for us to expand our sales efforts beyond our current customer base.

It is critical that Kolmar and Acupac grow their top line sales and we believe that Koert has the ability to assist us in this endeavor. He represents the first step in the development of a new Sales / Marketing / Customer Service team that will bring Kolmar Laboratories Group to the next level.

Robert E. Theroux, President, COO

Divestiture of Kolmar's Canadian Operation

January 11, 2008

As one of our valued partners, I wanted you to be one of the first to know that we have completed the sale of Kolmar's Canadian operations to a Canadian investment group.

This transaction, along with the recently completed sale of Kolmar's Mexican operations, finalizes a strategic refocusing process designed to eliminate non-strategic or sub-optimal facilities, which now allows Kolmar USA, North America's largest cosmetic contract supplier, to create a world-class manufacturing center with the scale and scope to grow. These sales further improve Kolmar's strong financial position going into 2008 and beyond. Kolmar intends to reinvest in its US business, based in Port Jervis, New York, in terms of facility improvements and in employees who are talented industry professionals.

Robert E. Blanchard, Vice Chairman/COO

Acupac Packaging is awarded its fourth US Patent. Patent #7,241,411

July 10, 2007

Titled "Process for Manufacturing Thin Film Strips" details a method for forming a thin film strip that may contain cosmetic or skin care ingredients. Acupac's state-of-the-art coating lines include in-line near Infra Red for moisture detection and multi-zone drying tunnels for sensitive formulations that may contain flavors or fragrances with low flash points. Complete in-house capabilities for film formulation, blending, coating and cutting into cassettes or pouches.

Craig Berry, EVP & General Manager

Coated Non-wovens: Leaving the Bottle Behind

Let's face it, we use more personal care products than ever before. From body care to facial care to hair care and even baby care, you're likely to find a number of different products in the average bathroom. What about when you're on the go? You can't take the bathroom with you, but products delivered as coated non-wovens are helping consumers leave the bottle behind.

"When you're on the go, you don't want to be bogged down," comments Craig Berry, Executive Vice President of the Coating Division at Kolmar Labs Group Consumer Products facility in Mahwah, NJ. "Coated non-wovens give consumers the freedom to leave the bottle behind."

Coated non-wovens are when customer products such as cleansing agents are used to coat non-woven material. The items are dried, folded, and packaged and merely need water contact to be activated. The Mahwah facility produces more than 3 million stacks of coated non-woven products each year.

Berry notes that coated non-wovens are ideal for single-use applications and packaging, giving the consumer added convenience of having just the amount needed, and giving the product greater portability. He also notes that coated non-wovens have a unique benefit that the material increases the lathering ability of the product, which consumers appreciate.

For the marketer, coated non-wovens mean expanded opportunities. Berry reasons, "With coated non-wovens, products can have an alternate delivery method, one that emphasizes ease and convenience. It can be used to introduce a new product in a unique attention-getting format. And for products already on the market, it can bring a brand renewed market vitality with a line extension."

For marketers looking to venture into this format, KLG offers comprehensive services that address the total needs of businesses.

Says Berry, "Being able to take a client from concept to deliverable is critical in this format. The sensitivity of this format presents a number of challenges. For instance, if a product such as a coated non-woven has to be handed off to different companies to manage different stages, critical errors can occur that cost time and money. KLG takes a comprehensive approach to the process so that all aspects are managed in one place, the development, blending, coating, cutting, and packaging, minimizing the possibility of error. By managing all phases, the product transitions smoothly and successfully from start to finish, giving the marketer the opportunity to turn to one vendor for all its needs. And for those venturing into this format for the first time, not only do they have a single source, they have the power of experience at all phases behind them.

KLG's Consumer Products facility in Mahwah is a leader in small, single-unit, and sample packaging for the personal care market. KLG offers a broad array of standard, customized, and unique package designs and formats. Package formats include liquid-filled, device, cream and powder pouches; pre-saturated swab sticks, and individual and multiple towelettes; and liquid-filled semi-rigid thermoform packaging.

KLG is one of North America's largest contract manufacturers of cosmetics, household, personal care and healthcare products. KLG is a leading supplier of outsourced supply chain solutions to the healthcare, cosmetics, personal care and household products market.

Craig Berry, EVP & General Manager

Single-use Format Revolutionizing Personal Care Industry

Kolmar Labs Group Consumer Products facility in Mahwah has built its reputation on innovative package solutions serving the personal care industry, such as single-use facial cloths and body wash towelettes. As the first manufacturer to introduce the single-unit dose application for over-the-counter products just a few years ago, KLG has seen the single-use format revolutionize the personal care industry for both the marketer and the consumer. But the revolution has just begun.

"The single-unit dose format is a relatively new concept," notes Craig Berry, Executive Vice President of the Coating Division at KLG. "At four years young, the format is still evolving. More product lines and industries are sure to come to see the advantage it offers their consumers."

The single-unit dose format can be delivered in a number of formats and applications, from coated non-wovens (such as cloths saturated with product then dried and wet-activated) to dissolvable films (ideal for soap, shampoos, moisturizers, creams and gels) and edible films (ideal for cough suppressants, breath strips, appetite suppressants, and other product formats).

Says Berry, "The single-unit dose delivery approach is a boon to marketers as it serves to help them meet a unique consumer need-convenience. Additionally, it extends their product line, giving them new opportunities for their products. This delivery approach is ultimately convenient, portable, and easy to use. If a consumer for instance is traveling, they can pack just the soap and shampoo they need, not large containers that take up space. For an individual that can't swallow pills, they can better tolerate edible films. Single-unit dose simply gives consumers greater options for the products they need and use.

KLG's Consumer Product facility in Mahwah has been serving the personal care market for decades, with 25 years packaging experience and 15 years in specialty coating. KLG offers comprehensive services that address the total needs of businesses venturing into this packaging format.

Says Berry, "Being able to take a client from concept to deliverable is critical in this format. The sensitivity of this format presents a number of challenges. For instance, if a product such as a coated non-woven or film product has to be handed off to different companies to manage different stages, critical errors can occur that cost time and money. KLG takes a comprehensive approach to the process so that all aspects are managed in one place, the development, blending, coating, cutting, and packaging, minimizing the possibility of error. By managing all phases, the product transitions smoothly and successfully from start to finish, giving the marketer the opportunity to turn to one vendor for all its needs. And for those venturing into this format for the first time, not only do they have a single source, they have the power of experience at all phases behind them.

Recently, KLG and National Starch and Chemical of Bridgewater, NJ, a leading global manufacturer of adhesives, specialty polymers, electronic materials and specialty starches, entered into a joint venture that will help expand the reach of such packaging applications within the industry with more product formats venturing into single-unit dose packaging. Through the joint venture, KLG's comprehensive process, development, and manufacturing capabilities will be complemented by National Starch and Chemical formula and research capabilities.

KLG is one of North America's largest contract manufacturers of cosmetics, household, personal care and healthcare products. With corporate headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, N.J., KLG is a leading supplier of outsourced supply chain solutions to the healthcare, cosmetics, personal care and household products market.

Craig Berry, EVP & General Manager