Tension Envelope Corporation




For Envelope Printing Excellence


Press Releases

Tension Envelope Enters Agreement To Become
Preferred National Licensee of ecoEnvelopes

Kansas City, MO, June 15, 2010

Tension Envelope Corporation, a nationwide multi-plant envelope manufacturer, has announced that the Company has entered a licensing agreement with ecoEnvelopes, an environmentally-driven organization and developer of proprietary reusable envelopes. With this agreement, Tension becomes a preferred national licensee of ecoEnvelopes, and the two companies will work together to increase the availability and expand the selection of two-way mailing products for large-volume envelope users.

Tension Envelope has been a pioneer in the design and manufacture of two-way envelopes, introducing its first reusable products over 50 years ago. The well-known Send-‘n-Return envelope was patented in 1986 and still serves eco-conscious customers today. The company continues to work with mailers to develop and test reusable envelope configurations well-suited to today’s highest speed inserters. According to President and CEO Bill Berkley, Tension has “made and sold billions of two-way envelope styles over the years, while always looking to update and expand our innovative product lines.”

Founded in 2002, ecoEnvelopes has been a champion of the environment as well as an innovator of sustainable mail. Styles developed by the company have involved working directly with the Postal Service to enhance postal regulations and key standards to provide more design flexibility for environmentally friendly, two-way products.

EcoEnvelopes founder Ann DeLaVergne commented, “This new licensing partnership combines Tension’s creative, technical, and manufacturing expertise with our conservation platform and design advances.” DeLaVergne noted, “Tension is a great company with a first-rate creative and management team, engineering and manufacturing capability, and a strong sales organization. Our collaboration is a win-win for business and the environment.”

Tension’s long history of environmentally-sound business practices includes national recognition for its company-wide Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle initiatives, which include long-term comprehensive programs aimed at saving resources and conserving energy at every level of operation. “Over the years Tension has established a solid record of product solutions that work through the mailing process and benefit the environment by conserving resources,” said Berkley. “This new relationship brings additional choices for our customers, and we are very pleased to join forces with ecoEnvelopes in this endeavor.”

About Tension Envelope

Tension Envelope (www.tension.com) is one of the country’s leading manufacturers of envelope products, selling directly to companies and organizations across the U.S.A. Tension manufactures many of the envelopes you see and handle every day, servicing the financial, direct mail, photo finishing, utility, packaging and other industries. Products range from standard styles/sizes to specialty envelopes, some created for unique mailing or packaging purposes. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, Tension produces over 11 billion envelopes a year with plants, distribution, and sales/service offices from coast to coast. Tension also operates plants in China, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Australia.

About ecoEnvelopes

EcoEnvelopes LLC (www.ecoEnvelopes.com) is an environmental company that designs and licenses proprietary reusable envelopes and mailing solutions that reduce mail costs and benefit the environment. EcoEnvelopes mail solutions are manufactured exclusively on certified papers from managed forests with up to 100% post consumer recycled content. USPS approved, ecoEnvelopes operate on existing high-speed insertion and postal processing equipment. The company's innovative products meet the growing desire of corporations, organizations and consumers to be more responsible and contribute to environmental stewardship.

FTA Announces 2010 Winners in “Excellence in Flexography Awards” Competition.
Tension Garners Six Awards in Envelopes Category.

Kansas City, MO 05-14-2010

Tension Envelope was again a category leader in this year’s FTA competition for the highest quality flexographic printing. Tension has been recognized numerous times by the Flexographic Technical Association in printing excellence competitions over the last 25 years, including eight awards in the 2009 competition. View winning Tension products at: Annual FTA Awards

The Flexographic Technical Association, chartered in 1958, is a professional society dedicated to bringing all members of the flexographic printing community-printers, suppliers, consumer product companies, institutions, prepress houses and others--together by providing opportunities for the free exchange of technical ideas and discussion of mutual concerns. It is a proponent of maintaining and advancing quality standards and includes 1,750 member sites that represent more than 1,300 companies and 60,000 individuals.

Hote-Note Logois Now a Registered Trademark for Tension Envelope Corporation

Official Hot-Note Logo in ColorKansas City, MO 04-27-2010

Tension Envelope has received trademark registration approval for the Hot•Note envelope style from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The product behind the name is one of Tension’s unique specialty envelopes, featuring a self-stick note built into the face of the envelope. Called the Hot•Note, this device has the characteristics of a traditional sticky note, but it is constructed as part of the envelope, rather than being applied as a separate piece. The Hot•Note is perforated for easy removal, and once detached, it can be retained as a self-standing note, attachable to any convenient surface, such as a refrigerator, computer monitor, or calendar.

Mailers and marketers can use the Hot•Note Envelope in dozens of ways that suit their promotional or informational needs and requirements. The note can be printed with any type of message, and it can be customized or personalized for any purpose.

Most importantly, Hot•Note is an innovative product that provides new ways to boost readership, improve response, and extend promotional life.

Created by Tension Envelope, with over 120 years experience as a leader in the envelope industry, this exciting new envelope is available nationally from Tension Envelope Corporation’s network of plants and sales/service offices. Several styles are available as blanks for imprint, as well. For more information about the Hot•Note Envelope, contact Tension@hot-note.com or visit http://www.tension.com/html/hot-note.html.

Tension Envelope Announces Availability of Wind Power Energy Credits
for Application to Customer Envelope Manufacturing Orders

EcoFirst360 Wind PowerKansas City, MO 04-15-2009

Tension Envelope Corporation, a multi-plant nationwide envelope manufacturer, announced that it has made a commitment with Community Energy, Inc.(CEI) to purchase wind generated Renewable Energy Certificates to apply to specific Tension customer manufacturing orders.

Tension’s commitment will allow 1,000,000 kWh of renewable energy to enter into the national electricity grid and displace the need for other sources of power generation. This purchase makes a difference for the environment and promotes our nation’s energy independence. The estimated environmental benefit is equivalent to planting nearly 540 acres of trees.

Tension customers that request and use wind energy credits will be able to display an exclusive Wind Power emblem on their envelopes as a demonstration of their own concern and commitment to environmentally sound business practices.

Wind power currently powers the equivalent of more than 4.5 million homes in the U.S, with no fuel and zero emissions. Wind projects accounted for about 30% of all new power generating capacity added in the U.S. in 2007, thanks to a record growth of 45%.

Tension Envelope is one of the country’s leading manufacturers of envelope products, selling directly to companies and organizations across the U.S. Tension makes many of the envelopes you see and handle day-to-day, including direct mail envelopes, billing and banking envelopes, and envelopes for the photo finishing industry. Products range from standard styles/sizes to specialty envelopes, some created for one-of-a-kind mailing or packaging purposes. Tension produces over 11 billion envelopes a year with plants, distribution, and sales/service offices from coast to coast. Tension also has plants in China, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Australia.

Community Energy, Inc. (CEI) is a wholly owned subsidiary of IBERDROLA RENEWABLES – the world’s leading provider of wind power with more than 8,000 MW of wind power in operation globally. CEI cites its utility partners and customers as the reason for its success in expanding the national wind energy market. CEI’s affiliate, IBERDROLA RENEWABLES, Inc., has developed new wind projects throughout the US. For more information, please visit www.NewWindEnergy.com.

Tension Envelope and Kern Announce Video Demonstration
of Newest Reusable Envelope Innovation

Kansas City, MO 11-21-2008

Tension Envelope, supplier of innovative envelope products designed to perform on today’s high speed mail handling systems, and Kern, producer of world-class end-to-end production mail solutions, are pleased to announce that a demonstration video of Tension’s patent pending reusable envelope, the EcoFirst360, can be viewed on youtube.com. Tension’s latest envelope was designed specifically for processing on today’s high speed inserting equipment. “We paid close attention to the envelope attributes necessary to perform consistently on inserters like the Kern 3000”, said Lonnie Robinson, Director of Technology at Tension.

A demonstration of the reusable EcoFirst360 and footage of the K3000 processing Tension’s new envelope at Graph Expo can be viewed online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leDUjfX1ZIU&feature=channel_page

Tension Envelope’s EcoFirst360 is designed to operate as both the outgoing and return envelope for transactional mail using pre-printed permit indicia. The recipient opens the mailpiece via the perforated side flap and removes the contents. When the contents are prepared and ready to be returned, the mailpiece is filled with the response and sealed with the reusable sideflap. The EcoFirst360 conforms to the USPS Domestic Mail Manual specifications for a reusable mailpiece when outgoing postal indicia, addressing, and barcode are shown through the window.

For more information on the Tension EcoFirst360 visit www.tension.com or email inform@tension.com. For more information on Kern document inserting and mail finishing systems, visit www.kerninc.com or email info@kerninc.com

Formation of International Envelope Coalition Provides Opportunities
for Worldwide Service to Envelope and Packaging Customers

Kansas City, MO 9-12-2008

Six worldwide leaders in the envelope industry have joined together in a strategic alliance called the International Envelope Coalition for the purpose of enhancing the products and services available to the global marketplace. The six companies are Tension Envelope Corporation, Bong Ljungdahl AB, Groupe SAS Hamelin, Vigamil S.A.C.e.I., King Corporation, and E. S. Wigg & Son. These organizations have worked with one another over time and are now formalizing their relationship.

  • These companies have formed an alliance that includes over thirty manufacturing plants, and covers five continents, North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia:
  • Tension Envelope Corporation operates in the USA (with subsidiaries in China, Taiwan, and Malaysia),
  • Bong operates in Nordic countries (also the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, and Russia),
  • Hamelin is in France (also the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain),
  • Vigamil is in South America,
  • King Corporation is in Japan,
  • E.S. Wigg & Son is in Australia.
The Coalition is uniting in a worldwide initiative to offer customers access to all six companies’ proprietary products and services through a consolidated global supply chain.  There is increasing demand by purchasers of envelopes and associated products for a simplified and streamlined supplier network to meet their business needs related to mailing, packaging, and distribution of information, as well as sales and marketing materials.The benefits of the International Envelope Coalition are to:
  • Offer customers complete and comprehensive mailing solutions on a global basis.
  • Serve as a single source so any customer or prospect can easily gain access for the manufacture of their envelope and packaging needs anywhere in the world.
  • Provide access to shared expertise of a cooperative mix of companies, holding the exclusive rights to manufacturing processes and product innovations.
  • Promote the worldwide value and volume of mail and mail-related business goals.
Each of the Coalition members has a unique profile of capabilities and complimentary geographical locations, and as a unit they offer a competitive advantage. Additionally, the companies will share and work collaboratively on product research and development, with emphasis on the improvement of machine technologies and operational efficiencies.

The establishment of the International Envelope Coalition will provide unprecedented opportunities for envelope and packaging users to access a far-reaching range of manufacturing, sales, and distribution services to enhance their business operations and serve and supply their own customers across the globe.

About Bong — Bong was founded in 1737 in Sweden and is today one of Europe’s leading envelope and packaging companies, offering customers solutions for distribution and packaging of information, advertisements and lightweight goods.  The Group has annual sales of approximately Euro 220 million and some 1,200 employees in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Poland and Russia.  Bong is a publicly listed company and its shares are quoted on the OMX Nordic Stock Exchange Stockholm. http://www.bong.com

About Hamelin — GROUPE HAMELIN is the leading European manufacturer of books and pads, filing products, envelope and desk lamps with a total turnover of approximately € 800 million.  It employs about 4,000 people, mainly in Europe, as well as USA, South America, Australia and Asia.  GROUPE HAMELIN products are sold under the CANSON, OXFORD, BANTEX AND ELBA brands. http://www.groupe-hamelin.com

About King — King Corporation was founded in 1932 in Nagoya (located in central Japan). King Corporation has approximately 500 employees, in 3 manufacturing plants and 14 sales offices in Japan.  King manufactures and sells office paper products (envelopes, visiting cards, calendars, etcetera) and sells to the printing and stationery markets. http://www.king-corp.co.jp

About Tension — Tension Envelope Corporation was founded in 1886 in Kansas City, Missouri. Today the company provides mailing and packaging envelopes and fulfillment packaging systems to businesses nationwide from seven plants with over 1,000 employees in the U.S.A. Tension also has manufacturing facilities and operations in China, Malaysia and Taiwan. http://www.tension.com

About Vigamil — Vigamil S.A.C.e I was founded in 1940 in Santiago, Chile. For years Vigamil has been the leader in mailing envelopes manufacturing in Chile and also started operations in Peru in 1998.Vigamil has two plants in Chile and one in Peru, with over 250 employees in the three plants. http://www.vigamil.cl

About Wigg & Son — The company E. S. Wigg & Son is a success borne over 150 years, currently operated by the sixth generation and descendents of Edgar Smith Wigg. Established in 1849 (Australia’s 21st oldest company), Wigg & Son has been a leader in Australia with new innovative envelope products to suit an array of customers’ markets.  These markets include direct mail, photographic packaging, fundraising, financial and insurance, and general office requirements. Time has witnessed a constant evolution of unique products and services. Products include the reusable envelope, CD and one-piece mailers, bangtail envelopes for fundraising, and creative designed involvement envelopes for the direct mail industry. Expanding from its original Adelaide manufacturing base, Wigg & Son has grown with sales offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. www.wigg.com.au

Tension Envelope Corporation Announces
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification

Kansas City, MO 7-9-2008

Tension Envelope has announced that it has completed the process to produce and print envelopes that meet the standards and requirements of the Forest Stewardship Council. The FSC mandates for certification require Tension Envelope to meet rigorous chain-of-custody standards for paper made with fiber from FSC certified forests. Tension’s FSC certification reinforces the company’s commitment to the environment and to sustainability in all its business practices.

Tension Envelope Corporation Receives Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Certification

Kansas City, MO 11-27-2007

Tension Envelope has announced that it has earned certification through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, allowing use of the SFI Certified Sourcing label on envelopes the company manufactures. To achieve certification, Tension was required to meet exacting chain-of-custody standards for providing envelopes made from SFI certified paper. An independent accredited auditing firm must certify annually that fiber used in the company’s labeled paper products was produced under the SFI forestry management standards. The SFI certification is the latest demonstration of Tension’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and environmentally responsible manufacturing practices. Tension Envelope Corporation’s SFI certification number is 6Q751-SFI.


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