August 1st is the one-year anniversary of the GAA merger into AIMCAL

As of August 1st, 2022 it will be one year since the GAA merged into AIMCAL. The merger brought companies that are primarily “Printers” and their suppliers into AIMCAL. With the addition of the packaging and décor/product “Printers” merging into the Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators (Converters), AIMCAL’s membership is now one of the most all-encompassing Printer/Converter associations worldwide. AIMCAL being Internationally oriented was one of the reasons that attracted the GAA to them.

Of the GAA members that merged, 10 of them were already AIMCAL members and 75% of the others renewed for 2022. The majority of those who did not renew were themselves involved in acquisitions and or their target business has changed. We anticipate over time some will return when training and networking needs require. So, all in all the merger that brought the GAA members expanded benefits and networking as becoming AIMCAL members has had a very good first year.

The GAA “Legacy” members have participated in the 2020 USA R2R (virtual), 2021 USA R2R, the 2022 Executive Leadership and the 2022 R2R Europe conferences and are involved in the 2022 USA R2R preparation. Our members have provided speakers for all of the above and the 2021 Gravure Fundamentals and we have held a Gravure Basics Webinar. Rod Sosa (FresCo) and Todd Luman (Interprint) both active in the Gravure Association are now on the AIMCAL Board of Directors combining “Printers” concerns with the “Converters”. AIMCAL having many diverse committees has allowed some of the legacy members personnel to join other committees. Go to Committees | AIMCAL to review and join other committees that can help in networking. As Lou DeFlaviis declared when the merger was completed “Together we are stronger” has proven to be spot on.