Label Industry Global Awards 2024 winners revealed

This year’s winners of the Label Industry Global Awards have been revealed during the recent Labelexpo Americas 2024. The R. Stanton Avery Special Recognition Award went to Ferdinand Rüesch IV, Paul Teachout won the Global Achievement Award, the Converter of the Year Award title went to NextGen Label Group and Alex Abbott was awarded the Rising Star Award.

The R. Stanton Avery Special Recognition Award sponsored by Avery Dennison, went to Ferdinand Rüesch IV, senior vice president of global key accounts at Gallus Ferd. Rüesch – known throughout the industry as Ferdi.

This award recognizes outstanding individuals who reflect the key values and vision of Stan Avery and his innovative breakthroughs that founded the label industry.

Ryan Yost, president of Avery Dennison Materials Group, commented: ‘Ferdi took over the Gallus Group business from his father in the 1990s, accelerating Gallus’ growth globally. His dedication to the industry and global leadership not only inspired his own team at Gallus but also set an example of excellence for the industry. His reputation as a warm-hearted and inspiring leader embodies the qualities of Stan Avery himself.’

Ferdinand Rüesch IV, said: ‘With my retirement on the horizon, I’ve been reflecting on many things. When Andy Thomas-Emans called to tell me, I had won this award, I was speechless! The last 45 years of serving the industry flashed through my mind like a movie. I am thrilled, touched, and deeply honored. Receiving this award is especially meaningful because my father was the second recipient (of the then Man of Achievement Award) after Stanton Avery, making it even more special.’

Paul Teachout, technical marketing and content specialist at Harper Corporation of America, won the Global Achievement Award. This award celebrates individuals who have made significant lifetime contributions to the label industry both on the national and international stages.

Teachout is also currently chair of the FTA and sits on the boards of multiple educational institutions. He has actively supported the Phoenix Challenge High School competition since 2008 and is chair of the TLMI label competition.

The Label Awards judging panel commended Teachout for his wide range of contributions to the labels industry in a career spanning over 40 years. In particular, the judges noted Teachout’s tireless work promoting the labels industry as a career to students and young people, and his key work through the FTA, TLMI and Harper Corporation promoting standards for the global flexographic industry.

Commenting on his award win, Teachout said: ‘I am extremely proud and honored to be the recipient of this year’s Global Achievement Award and to be included on a long list of amazingly influential people. It is wonderful to be recognized individually but I cannot emphasize enough that I would achieve nothing without the support of this wonderful industry. I have had the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and global leaders.

‘These experiences have guided me and allowed me to learn and share around the world. I am so thankful to all who have joined me on this journey and especially to those at Labels & Labeling and the Label Industry Global Awards. Thank you for your unconditional support on this amazing journey. To be recognized and awarded for your passion is the most rewarding and humbling experience of my career.’

Andy Thomas-Emans, chairman of the judging panel, said: ‘I warmly congratulate Paul Teachout on winning the Label Industry Global Achievement Award, a unanimous decision by the judges. The judges particularly commended Paul’s selfless work as a mentor to young people looking to enter the label industry, championing the Phoenix Challenge competition and participating on the boards of multiple leading educational institutions.’

Jade Grace, managing director of Labels Group, added: ‘Many congratulations to Paul Teachout for winning the Global Achievement Award. Paul’s dedication and passion for the label industry shone through in the judging process. Huge congratulations to Ferdinand Rüesch IV for winning the R. Stanton Avery Special Recognition Award, a true inspiration for our industry who will be sorely missed when he retires later in the year. Congratulations as well to nominated finalists for the Rising Star and Converter of the Year Awards.’

Alex Abbott, chief revenue officer at SmartSolve was awarded the Rising Star Award sponsored by Avery Dennison. This award recognizes the achievements of emerging talent in the label and packaging industry representing the next generation of industry leaders.

The judges were impressed with the significant impact that Abbott has made since joining sustainable materials specialist SmartSolve in June 2023. The judging panel noted that he pioneered the idea of having SmartSolve’s labels undergo APR Design for Recyclability Recognition, demonstrating his forward-thinking leadership and potential for further advancement.

The Converter of the Year Award was won by NextGen Label Group. The judges were impressed by the consistent record of the NexGen Label Group in developing its staff, supporting strong engagement with local communities, outstanding sustainability initiatives and customer-focused programs delivering innovative and cost-effective packaging solutions.

'We have been very impressed by the high quality of entries received for this year’s Label Industry Global Awards,’ commented Thomas-Emans. ‘I would like to thank everybody who submitted nominations, and on behalf of the judging panel, I would like to congratulate all the winners and shortlisted finalists.’

Jade Grace, Managing Director, Labelexpo Global Series commented: “Many congratulations to all this year’s Label Industry Global Awards winners and finalists. The stand-out achievements of our lifetime career winners, and the dedication, passion and leadership qualities demonstrated throughout the awards categories shows that the future of a sustainable and successful labels and package printing industry is in safe hands.”

The judging panel for the Label Industry Global Awards 2024 was chaired by Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director of Labelexpo Global Series. The judges included Chelsea McDougall, group managing editor of Labels & Labeling; Tim McDonough, chairman of TLMI; Greg Hrinya, editor of Label & Narrow Web and Lisa McTigue Pierce, executive editor of Packaging Digest.