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August 2018 WINES&VINES 27 WINE INDUSTRY NEWS Norton for his strong business acu- men, colorful language, openness to share information with others, and for his powerful voice as a leader within the industry. SUPPLIER Vinventions shifts toward sustainability Global wine closure supplier Vin- ventions, which is based in the U.S. in Zebulon, N.C., announced plans to strengthen and acceler- ate its sustainability initiatives for future development and product innovations. The move is a stra- tegic shift to become the wine industry's most sustainable closure company. As part of this decision, Vinventions established a new executive position and appointed Michael Blaise as vice president for sustainability. Labeltronix marks 25 years Label supplier Labeltronix in Anaheim, Calif., is celebrating 25 years in business and its growth from selling printers and label suppliers in 1993 to operating a 50,000-square-foot label manufac- turing facility with multiple digital and flexographic printing and finishing presses. The company, which claims to have been the first digital label printer in Southern California, developed what it calls the "lean labeling" process to mini- mize costs during production. Rack & Riddle automates bottling line Rack & Riddle in Healdsburg, Calif., announced it upgraded its facilities with a fully automated still wine bottling line. The custom crush provider, which specializes in sparkling wine production, re- ports the robotic system provides increased output and accuracy for its clients. Installed in late 2017, the bottling line designed by Mas Pack Packaging USA, is now fully operational with all testing and staff training completed. With the new system in place, production line staff decreased from 13 work- ers per shift to five, but Rack & Riddle claims no jobs were lost in the process as employees were cross-trained for other positions within the company. Free Flow announces new facility and COO Free Flow Wines announced plans to expand operations and relocate its headquarters to Sonoma, Calif., in January 2019. The new facility is currently under construction at 14900 Carneros Lake Lane, and will include a kegging line, canning services, temperature-controlled bulk wine storage and increased office space. In conjunction with the move, Free Flow will also begin partnering with CanSource, a U.S. and Canada-based can sleeving service. To support the company's expansion, Free Flow appointed Rich Bouwer as its new chief oper- ating officer. Bouwer has held pre- vious roles at Saxco International, Treasury Wine Estates and E. & J. Gallo Winery. Lot18 acquires CustomVine Wine e-commerce platform Lot18 announced it acquired private label wine provider CustomVine. The acquisition is part of New York- based Lot18's strategy to expand its trade footprint and assist cli- ents in building brands that drive on-premise revenue and profit, according to the statement an- nouncing the deal. Earlier this year, California grape and wine producer Thornhill Companies reached a cash settlement and obtained a contributory trademark infringe- ment finding against CustomVine AVAILABLE FROM WINE YEAST Rich Bouwer