PEOPLE & PLACES Provident Names Engels As Technical Sales Representative Provident, LLC has expanded its regional support team with the appointment of Jay Engels as Techni- cal Sales Representative for the Midwest and Central Plains. Based in Appleton, Wisconsin, Engels will man- age customer relations and technical support across Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, and the Dakotas, bringing nearly 35 years of print operations proficiency to the newly unified organization. Precision Merger The addition follows the 2025 merger of Provident and Precision Flexo & Gravure, a move designed to in- tegrate doctor blade and end seal manufacturing with deep technical pressroom field service. full spectrum of pressroom operations, including pre- vious roles as an ink department manager, flexo plate mounter, and press operator. This foundational experi- ence in ink blending and troubleshooting allows Prov- ident, LLC to further offer insights into diagnosing ink leakage in chambers and how it impacts overall print quality. The appointment aims to bridge the gap between product delivery and operational optimization. By le- veraging Engels’ background in B2B sales of liquid and offset inks and coatings, the company intends to provide more comprehensive troubleshooting for its Midwest client base. This knowledge beneficial for keeping chambers running clean and maintaining consistency across long production runs. Specialized Sales Force The integration of specialized ink knowledge into the Provident sales force marks a strategic shift to- ward holistic pressroom consultation. Reportedly, as the only fully integrated manufacturer of both doctor blades and end seals in the industry, the company’s ability to troubleshoot the interaction between hard- ware and chemistry is a critical component of its sup- port model. Engels will be responsible for training customer employees on proper ink maintenance and resolving persistent print issues that often arise from mechanical or chemical imbalances. Transition Engels transitions to the role from Press Color, Inc., where he served as a Technical Sales Rep- resentative. His career spans the Jay Engels
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vide in-depth knowledge and insights across these verti- cals. This is complemented through AWA conferences & events, with a specialized portfolio of in-person and virtual industry and market-focused events that provide knowl- edge, insights and networking. Loupe Americas 2026 : What are some of the trends you are currently tracking in the label and packaging mar- ket, and which ones do you believe will have the biggest impact in the next five years? Reardon : Growth in Asia : Asia remains the global growth driver for the market. The region is the fastest growing, fueled by expanding label markets in India, Chi- na and Southeast Asia. The growth of e-commerce and parcel delivery in Asia, like Shopee in Southeast Asia and Blink-It in India, is a major driver for the growth of VIP la- bels used in shipping and distribution. The Asian dominance is expected to continue during the forecast period 2026-2029. However, it is important to note that growth in the region has moderated in recent years due to an economic slowdown in China and overca- pacity across the region. Non-organic market fluctuations and growth : The mar- ket grew in 2024 as customers replenished inventories following the unprecedented destocking cycle of 2023. In 2025, the global market returned to a more stable, mod- erate growth trajectory, particularly in North America and Europe. The market outlook remains modest, with growth expected to be tempered by subdued economic activity and uncertainties. Sustainability : Sustainability pressures are reshaping the market, driven by stricter regulations, brand com- mitments to ESG goals, and waste concerns. Europe is spearheading the transition to a more sustainable future, with regulations like the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the European Union Deforesta- tion Regulation (EUDR). Both require manufacturers to be transparent about their sourcing and design practices, en- suring sustainability in the upstream value chain. Linerless Labeling : According to the AWA Linerless La- beling Market Report 2025, linerless represents roughly 6 percent of global PS label volume in 2025, growing at high single digits. North America accounts for 54 percent of the global linerless label demand, with Europe coming in second with 39 percent. Recent developments across the market indicate that linerless systems are moving beyond niche applications and gaining broader operational validation, particularly in logistics, retail, and variable-information labeling. Newer applicator and material platforms are expand- ing the range of compatible formats, substrates, and printer systems, making the technology easier to inte- grate into existing packaging and labeling workflows. As these solutions mature, linerless labels are likely to remain a small but faster-growing segment within the
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