Neil McDonough, president of FLEXcon, is the 2008 winner of the R. Stanton Avery Lifetime Achievement Award. Judges for the Label Industry Global Awards selected McDonough for the honor at its judging session in Paris in June.

The president of FLEXcon, a global polymeric coater and provider of pressure sensitive films and adhesive products based in Spencer, MA, USA, has dedicated a quarter of a century to the label industry. Before becoming president in 1990, McDonough held a variety of positions in manufacturing, sales, and management, including director of marketing. FLEXcon was founded by his father, Myles.

Among the innovations he fostered as president was the no-label look for glass bottle labeling with Clearly Canadian in the 1990s – a concept that is now a staple of the labeling industry.

McDonough’s continuous contribution to the labeling industry is reflected in the company’s focus, which is to work closely with customers to develop customized pressure sensitive solutions. His industry involvement also includes participation in numerous Labelexpo shows, conferences and seminars, in TLMI (for which he chairs a committee) and in other organizations.

“I am thrilled and humbled to learn that I have been selected by the judging panel of the Label Industry Global Awards as the recipient of the R. Stanton Avery Lifetime Achievement Award 2008,” McDonough says. “I am delighted to confirm my acceptance of this great honor.”

Mike Fairley, chairman of the judging panel, says: “Choosing the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award was a difficult choice this year, particularly because the judges were evaluating the profiles of nominees against a range of criteria. However, although all were worthy candidates, it was felt that Neil McDonough best exemplified the innovative, industry focused and global approach that has characterized the growth of pressure sensitive labels over many years. I would certainly like to congratulate him on this achievement.”