FEATURE STUDY: Rexam Releases Global Consumer Packaging Report

This new and highly readable survey of consumer packaging includes trends and forecasts across a number of packaging formats and categories. Highlights include:

• Global Overview: Consumer packaging examined with breakouts by end-user category, geographic area, and material.
• Drivers of Packaging Design: Drivers such as lifestyle needs, changing demographics and consumer behavior.
• Multiple Product Categories: Beverages, food, personal care products, home care products and healthcare products
• The Evolution of Packaging: This section traces consumer packaging from the first food can in the 1800's, to today's sleek, sophisticated dispensers

Download this insightful study here.
For more on Rexam, go to www.rexam.com.

DESIGN: Korsnäs and PIDA France Recognize Innovative Luxury Coffee Package

First prize at Korsnäs’ design competition went not to the most visually striking pack but to an example of smart design for creative marketing that uses resources sparingly and enables third-world producers to compete on an even playing field. Luxury packaging of the future was this year’s theme at PIDA.

The final-round winner in France took a fresh look at luxury, packaging impact, and fair trade with a hand-addressed black envelope containing samples from third-world coffee producers for retailers. It is an envelope that stands out from the crowd and is sure to be opened. Korsnäs Frövi white carton board turns black for the occasion, not only in the envelope but in a disposable in-the-cup coffee maker.

In the documentation of their winning entry, Adrien Rambaud and Rudy Martinez reflect on how society may look in 2017 and how our lifestyles might change, saying: “English will become much more important. Even the French have to understand this. Capitalism and globalization will increase and no one can do a thing about it. Communism will be dead. Even China wants to forget about Mao. The environment will be the biggest topic of conversation other than sex, food, music and politics, and fair trade has to change its concept. Otherwise third-world producers of cotton, cacao, rice, bananas and coffee will be even poorer than they are today.”

MATERIAL: Design Company Spreads Holiday Cheer with Reusable Gift Made with YUPO

In business, the holidays provide a great opportunity to connect and show appreciation to clients and vendors with personal style. To help strengthen relationships with his portfolio of clients, Benny Yip, owner and creative director of Toronto-based company Velvet, created a personalized holiday gift basket.

Yip specially designed a customized, reusable set of eye-catching beverage coasters to compliment his premium gift basket of holiday essentials. To ensure the holiday coasters could resist constant handling while maintaining stylized aesthetics, Yip chose to create them using YUPO 144-lb. Cover synthetic paper, an innovative product from Yupo Corporation America.

Yip conceptualized a graphical set of drink coasters that would serve as a high-impact alternative to a traditional holiday card. Each four-coaster set is packaged in a metal CD case featuring a Velvet-customized silkscreen holiday design on the front lid. Tear- and stain-resistant and 100% waterproof, YUPO provides the coasters with long-lasting durability.

“I wanted the coasters to be something that clients could keep and cherish, rather than throw away when they are done with the rest of the gift basket contents,” comments Yip. “As a result, it was essential that the coasters be able to stand up to constant exposure to moisture from beverages, as well as frequent handling.” For more, visit www.yupo.com.

COMPONENT: Dog Food ‘Meal Enhancer’ Benefits from Weatherchem’s NutraFlapper Closure

A dispensing closure, designed and manufactured by Weatherchem Corporation, has proven to be ideal for the launch of a special pet product package. Weatherchem’s NutraFlapper® Closure provides convenient dispensing and maintains freshness to Chomp Inc.’s new line of Sniffers® Shake-Ins™ Meal Enhancers.

NutraFlapper works well for the dry meal enhancer, which is shaken over a dog’s food at mealtime. The easy-to-use closure has a half-moon-shaped orifice that provides controlled, no clog, no mess dispensing. NutraFlapper closes with its signature audible “snap” that signifies locked-in freshness. And maintaining the freshness of Sniffers Shake-Ins is critical because it contains all-natural meats and soluble fiber.

Sarah Speare, Chomp’s vice president of marketing, noted that the Weatherchem’s NutraFlapper design “was perfect because it met the need for one-hand convenience and controlled, no-stick dispensing.” Weatherchem is proud of the fact that a key marketing point of Sniffers Shake-Ins is that the product is the no-mess solution to adding flavor, nutrition, and protein to a dog’s meal. For more, visit www.weatherchem.com.

WHITE PAPER: PIA/GATFPress Explores Trends in Package Printing

PIA/GATFPress announces the release of the downloadable PDF report entitled “Trends in Package Printing,” by Joel J. Shulman and Nelson R. Eldred. This 100-page study breaks down various areas of package printing and examines how printers are producing their products, as well as the market divers, current trends in the field, raw material considerations, and more. PIA/GATF is the world’s largest graphic arts trade association representing serving the interests of more than 12,000 member companies.

Package printers may not be under the same strict time demands as publishers of newspapers, advertisements, and periodicals, but they must produce high-quality containers for the demanding and discerning merchants attempting to promote the materials within. For many potential customers, the first indicator of the inherent quality of a given product is the package in which it is contained. Given the demand for such high quality and the diverse packaging methods in the market today, it is more important than ever to know who’s doing what in what fields.

Trends in Package Printing is available as a PDF download for $75; for PIA/GATF members the price is $55. This and all of PIA/GATFPress’s nearly 200 publications are available online at www.gain.net, or by phone at 866-855-4283.

SUSTAINABILITY: Effie Awards to Honor Eco-Marketing Ideas That Work

Entries are being accepted now for The Green Effie Award, honoring eco-marketing efforts that are making a difference. Gold, Silver and Bronze Effies will be awarded on June 4, 2008, to eco-marketing campaigns that utilize any form of consumer engagement (from advertising to package design to events to PR) to deliver their marketing mission. As with all Effie entries, Green Effie entrants will have to back up claims that they made an impact, inspired action, and made a difference.

The Green Effie is for marketing communications for eco issues, such as sustainability, healthy lifestyle, energy conservation, green products or services, green business alignment, etc. The focus is not on whether the actual product, service or brand is “green”—this award is for any marketing effort in which the core communications idea is centered on an eco issue.

Download the Green Effie Entry Kit here.
The On-Time Entry Deadline: February 15, 2008 (Fee is $695)
The Extension Entry Deadline: February 16-22, 2008 (Fee is $795)
For additional information visit www.effie.org

TOOLBOX: Designer’s Toolbox Sponsor of the Week — Allen Field

Allen Field introduces two new, exciting packaging products: Swivel Slide Lock Handle and Closure Slide Clip. Both items capture a sleek, modern appeal that distinguishes them from other packaging items. Not only does the Allen Field Swivel Slide Lock Handle advance overall aesthetics, it also improves holding strength. Designed for easy assembly, no tools required, the Swivel Slide Lock Handle and the Closure Slide Clip each accommodate multiple thicknesses for your packaging needs.

Allen Field, P.O. Box 3069, 320 Broad Hollow Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735; Ph: 800-535-0810; Fax: 631-756-0436; Email: info@allenfield.com; Web: www.allenfield.com.
If you missed the 2007 Package Design Toolbox, check up on the participants here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Glass Packaging Institute Names Richard Crawford Chairman of the Board

The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) recently elected L. Richard Crawford, President of Global Glass Operations, O-I, as the glass container association's Chairman of the Board of Trustees for a one-year term.

"We are very pleased to have Rich Crawford as Chairman of the Board for GPI," said Joseph Cattaneo, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. "We believe Mr. Crawford's leadership approach and experience will serve the glass container industry well, especially at a time when the benefits of glass resonate in a world more focused than ever on sustainability."

As Chairman of the GPI board, Crawford will serve as chief executive officer of the Institute and oversee GPI's affairs, with approval of the trustees. "I am honored to serve the glass packaging industry through my appointment on the GPI Board," said Crawford. "While the packaging industry as a whole is facing challenges and undergoing change, it's nice to know this 3,000-year-old material that is known for being pure, safe and 100% recyclable is more relevant today than ever before because of those benefits." For more, visit www.gpi.org.

Brian Rogers Named Operations VP of Crown Bevcan Europe and Middle East

Crown Holdings Inc. announces that Brian Rogers, age 48, has been named operations vice president of its Crown Bevcan Europe and Middle East business unit. Mr. Rogers previously served as Area Manufacturing Manager for Crown’s beverage can operations in North America. He is replacing Dave Francis, who recently retired after 44 years with the company.

Mr. Rogers will be based in Paris and oversee manufacturing operations for the company’s 13 beverage can plants located across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He will be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of quality, service, and process efficiency at these plants through strict adherence to Crown’s World Class Performance (WCP) program.

"Brian has tremendous knowledge of the can making industry and is an expert in the manufacturing operations sector," says Terry Cartwright, senior vice president of Crown Bevcan Europe & Middle East. "He has been with Crown for the past 17 years, and his background and experience will be of great value to us and our customers." For more, visit www.crowncork.com.

MeadWestvaco Calmar Appoints New VP Sales and Marketing for Fragrance

Daniel Saksik has joined MeadWestvaco Calmar in January as Worldwide Vice President Sales and Marketing of the Fragrance Business Unit. Daniel Saksik had a very successful career in Saint-Gobain where he occupied different positions in the Sales and Marketing areas, and most recently the position of Vice President Sales & Marketing for SGD North America.

During his career, he had the opportunity to develop a very strong knowledge of the Fragrance market and a close relationship with all the major marketers of the industry.

MeadWestvaco Calmar is one of the leading global suppliers of fragrance pumps, and Daniel Saksik is very exited to be heading up the Fragrance team at a time when the Business Unit is enjoying enormous success as a result of recent innovations, such as Melodie®, Clikit™, and NoC™, the invisible dip tube. Visit www.meadwestvaco.com.

Printpack Inc. Expands into Central Europe with Planned Facility in Poland

Printpack’s planned facility will be located in Kutno, southwest of Warsaw, and will be a full-range flexible packaging converting facility. The plant will serve the packaging needs of consumer goods companies across Europe, expected to be operation in early 2009.

David Read, Managing Director of Printpack Europe states, “The Kutno plant will be equipped with an extensive range of modern converting technology. We will be able to serve more market segments since our capabilities will be broader than what we have in Europe today.” Printpack is a privately-held manufacturer of flexible and specialty rigid packaging headquartered in Atlanta, GA.