Key Initiatives

Working across the sector with brands and their graphic designers, through the prepress and reprographics stage, to printing and supply into the retail environment, through to waste and recycling, FIA^UK supports and promotes the sector through a variety of projects and initiatives.

Training & Education

FIA^UK delivers nationally accredited training and education through its Academy e-learning solution complemented by hands on training with the support of its printer and supplier partners to boost practical skills.

The association has also partnered with Leeds Beckett University Retail Institute and the Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating (WCPC).

FIA^UKsupports new initiatives including the Degree Apprenticeship in Packaging recently launched at Sheffield Hallam University, Apprenticeship events such as LARF in Leeds, and an annual apprenticeship event in London.

Workshops, Conferences,
Seminars & Events

FIA^UK organises and supports a range of events across the calendar year to promote the flexographic process and to support its members. Examples include the provision of breakfast meetings to debate and address key industry challenges, presenting at partner and associate events e.g. FTA Europe or GPMA, and exhibiting at industry forums including member open houses, PPMA and Easyfairs Packaging Innovations.

Networking

FIA^UK offers numerous opportunities for members and partners alike to connect and network:

Annual Golf Day

Breakfast Meetings

Webinars

Partners’ Event

Seminars

Exhibitions

Gala Dinner

Member Forums

Recognition

The board of FIA^UK runs an annual print competition to recognise the best of the best in the flexographic industry in the UK. Complemented by a gala dinner, always held in a prestigious and convenient location to members, the awards programme is world-renowned for its comprehensive and diligent approach to judging and selection.

Gold winners from this prestigious event are automatically eligible to take part in the FTA Europe Diamond Awards, which take place every 2 years.

Research & Lobbying

The board of FIA^UK takes its responsibilities to the membership very seriously and as such invests significant time in ensuring that the needs of the sector are clearly recognised at key packaging and print sector forums and in Government debates. Working with strategic alliances such as the GPMA the Packaging Federation and FTA Europe, and with affiliated associations including PICON, BPIF, IPIA, Two Sides and the Printing Charity, FIA^UK represents the needs of its members and is at the centre of debate.

Technical Support

As flexographic technology sophistication and industry knowledge have increased, the demands on the trade association have lessened from a technical support perspective in recent years. In the 1980s and 1990s, the association ran a technical help line for printers. Today, partners and members are seeking research, whitepapers, insights and representation and therefore the efforts of the board are placed on research and insight rather than basic technical support. However, the main thrust of the strategy is to ensure that the attraction and retention of talent in the sector is supported by the Academy flexographic training solution.