Finat announces new jury chairman of Finat Label Competition

Finat has announced Murat Sipahioglu as the new jury chairman of the annual Finat Label Competition. The competition recognizes and highlights the advantages and uses of self-adhesive labels and flexible packaging as an effective marketing, promotional or identification tool.

Next to regular judge Steve Wood, who has been assigned the L9 World Label Association Awards chairmanship, Murat has been a senior judge for the Finat Label Competition since 2009. He has built up an extensive knowledge of the processes used in label production from a technical and marketing viewpoint. He has worked for several notable companies in the label industry.  He is employed with Heidelberger Druckmaschinen in Turkey, holding the Gallus product and marketing manager position. He has also been a significant member of the Turkish Label Association for many years and was deeply involved in the TLA label competition. 

Past jury chairman Tony White commented: 'He is a team player with high integrity and always contributes immensely to the final judging process. He is a capable team leader and will lead and encourage any new judging panel members. Moreover, he will uphold the level of trust for which the competition is noted and apply his technical knowledge and expertise to ensure that the high standards which have been the cornerstone of the competition for many years are upheld.'

In response, Murat said: 'It took me a while to appreciate the label itself and its importance on the packaging of a product, but learning and understanding everything about the label business from the best in the industry and working alongside Tony and Steve for 15 years has made me the professional I am today. We make a good and fun team, and I look forward to working with my fellow judges for many years to come.'

In 2025, Finat will also welcome Phil Baldwin, technical sales manager for narrow mid-web at Bobst, UK, and Fahri Ilazi, head of sales and customer service for flexible dies at Kocher+Beck, Germany, as two new judges. 

Entries for the competition will be accepted till February 25.