Informative Articles on Market Trends & Evolving Flexible Packaging Technologies
Dennis Calamusa
ALLIEDFLEX® enjoys a key supporting role in the flexible packaging industry through our participation and organization of over a hundred educational packaging conferences and internationally acclaimed packaging symposiums. We have consulted on hundreds of product package transitions to flexible packaging and as a result these products are now well positioned for future sales growth.
ALLIEDFLEX® has provided consultancy services for many leading Consumer Product Companies, Packaging Material Converters, Packaging Machinery Manufacturers and Industry Associations. Our unique global Flexible Packaging Viewpoints and Perspectives are published by various respected packaging magazines and industry reports.
ALLIEDFLEX® is a contributing editor to the industries leading industry publications including Flexible Packaging magazine, Package Design magazine, Packaging Converting Intelligence magazine and Packexpo.com with our regularly featured “FLEXIBLE INSIGHTS” columns and articles regarding Global Flexible Packaging Innovation.
WHY USE A CONTRACT PACKAGER?
“Why should a CPG consider using a Contract Packager for introducing their new product introduction in Innovative Flexible Packaging?”
- No available in-house equipment or expertise for a new project or opportunity
- Geographically located facilities could serve better for national distribution.
- Flexible packaging may require special machinery or experience.
Today, the consumer products industry needs help in addressing a shift in how products are packaged and distributed to the changing consumer market. Many companies are beginning to realize that they must consider transitioning from their older style packaging and product marketing strategies to appeal to new and evolving consumer demographics and marketing trends.
Overcoming the Challenges of Change
Lifestyle changes are impacting the products we purchase and how we use them. In addition, distribution is also changing as consumers increasingly turn to the convenience of e-commerce to buy many products they traditionally purchased at brick-and-mortar retail.
Implementing a new packaging strategy can be a significant challenge for many companies. Most established market leaders have implemented, refined, and standardized on some form of legacy packaging. These traditional legacy formats are typically in the form of metal cans, jugs, glass jars, bottles, or paperboard cartons; thus, their internal packaging infrastructure is quite different than what is needed to accommodate many of the newer popular forms of innovative flexible packaging which have proven to have the “right stuff at the right time” for the market including the popular Standup Pouch, Zipper Pouch, Spouted Pouch, Retort Pouch, Shaped Pouch, Stick Packs and other innovative flexible packaging formats either replacing or partnering traditional packaging methodologies. For many companies, changing or attempting to adapt to a “new” packaging methodology can present a significant challenge, even if the market demands something new and different.
Packagers looking to change are typically confronted with limited options:
– Invest capital in new machinery, processes, facilities, and re-training of personnel
– Get started in-house semi-automatically to prove the market
– Resist change and hold out from changing altogether (risky business)
– Utilize the services and expertise of a Contract Packer or Contract Manufacturer short term
– Partner with a Contract Packer or Contract Manufacturer for the long term
Considering the options, some companies have decided to initially “outsource” their flexible packaging product applications to a co-packer or co-manufacturer. As a separate entity, these “outsourcing” partners can assist a company in breaking through the barriers of change and quickly bringing a product to market in a new innovative package with reduced risk. Most entrepreneurs or start-ups are financially challenged and will have their hands full just introducing a new product concept, never mind worrying about all the other operational details associated with starting a successful small business from scratch. Multinationals can even be more challenged than agile “start-up” companies, which typically can make quick decisions without the multiple layers and approvals needed within larger organizations. I think you get the idea; contract packaging can be an excellent tool to empower all forward-looking companies to innovate their packaging of new product introductions quickly and cost-effectively.
Collaboration is the Key to Success.
Many of these companies are choosing to leave the product processing, production planning, packaging, and distribution to others, namely a contract packager or contract manufacturer. They will remain actively involved in all the essential areas of building the business and the brand, focusing more on a quality/product management perspective and leaving the manufacturing and packaging process to their experienced contract packaging partner. This outsourcing option leaves more time and financial resources to build the company administration, sales, and marketing functions. Re-inventing a brand or turning a mature commodity-based product into a success story for your company can be the difference between the status quo and renewed success. In action, can foster stagnant sales and even loss of valuable market share. When a company offers a new product or package format, it paves the road to the opportunity for increased sales, potential cost reduction, and increased market share.
All Aboard with Innovative Flexible Packaging.
As a contract packager or contract manufacturer, your clients expect you to offer new and innovative packaging ideas that they can use to grow their business. Today, with the major push toward sustainability, innovative, flexible packaging is now considered a viable alternative or “partner” to more traditional rigid or semi-rigid packaging formats. For example, we are finding that innovative, flexible packaging is becoming an important marketing strategy for increasing the success of many new product introductions and a strategic initiative for re-inventing a mature brand. The popular Standup Pouch provides consumer convenience and package differentiation on the retail shelf, translating into increased sales and lower costs. Today’s expanded marketing outlets include supermarkets, supercenters, convenience stores, and club stores, creating marketing challenges and new business opportunities. By offering a Standup Pouch alternative to your customer, as a primary package or as a refill, you are offering one of the fastest growing package formats in the world and helping them to be well positioned in the market for success by getting the attention of busy consumers and standing out on the retail shelf from the competition.
Finding the Right Partner.
Selecting the “right” co-packer or co-manufacturer will be your key to success. Take the time to perform your due diligence in identifying the right partner for you and your specific application. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Contract Packaging Industry for their contribution and support for the dramatic growth of flexible packaging over the past decade. Consider contract packaging a crucial part of your company’s strategic sales and marketing formula and “simplify the transitional process toward the change to innovative, flexible packaging.”
Contract Manufacturing + Packaging may be a great place to start your journey.
Are you tired of the hassle of going to an ice cream shop whenever you are craving that creamy, delicious soft serve?
Look no further than CVT Soft Serve’s new innovative and convenient Spouted Standup Pouch packaging! This flexible package provides the perfect form and function for enjoying soft serve, and the package stands out in the crowded freezer aisle with its unique and eye-catching design. Beyond the package design, CVT Soft Serve Ice Cream appeals to both young and old, returning to the nostalgia of enjoying a cone on a hot summer day. Their on-the-go packaging means you can enjoy that same experience anytime, anywhere! Take advantage of this sweet treat – grab a pouch today and indulge in the magic of soft serve.
CVT Soft Serve Ice Cream appeals to both young and old, returning to the nostalgia of enjoying a cone on a hot summer day.
East Coast meets West Coast’s desire for Soft Serve Ice Cream. Meeting the need beyond the limitations of the Ice Cream truck.
Spouted Pouch Packaging now makes it possible, convenient, and fun to enjoy Soft Serve Ice Cream for many occasions “on the go”.
The Standup Pouch for Ready Meals & Snacks creates a strategic point of differentiation and a marketing benefit for innovating the “Baby and Big Kids” healthy convenience food category.
BREAKING THROUGH THE GLASS CEILING
VALUE ADDED LINE EXTENSIONS
This new generation of products and packaging is dramatically impacting the traditional packaged goods markets of the past. Baby Food has been traditionally packaged in a glass jar since 1934. It had remained the same for over 75 years, dominated by only a few powerful brands during this long period. The power of these legacy national brands was synonymous with Baby Food. This market share dominance was held for over seven decades until it was shattered and disrupted by the introduction of the spouted pouch. That packaging shift turned the market upside down. This disruption was not done by larger players but by smaller start-up entrepreneurs with the courage to “break the glass ceiling” and change the packaging paradigm. This packaging shift has gradually shifted market share dominance and provided a more even playing field within the category.
A NEW GENERATION OF CONSUMER
Remember the generation that consumed billions of Capri Sun® and other popular pouched drinks throughout childhood and beyond? These folks are now adult mothers and fathers open to purchasing a pouch instead of a traditional bottle, can, or glass jar. This same generation has spurred the shift from a glass jar to a flexible pouch in the baby food category. The dispensing spout added to this flexible packaging alternative’s convenience, portability, and functionality.
INSPIRING A RE-PACKAGING REVOLUTION
This enhanced flexible packaging format can create a host of product line extensions, providing a packaging alternative to a broader demographic of consumers who may prefer a pouch over a jar or bottle depending upon their occasion of use. Flexible Packaging dramatically reduces transportation, warehousing, and infrastructure and is a cost-effective alternative to glass jars, rigid plastic cups, glass bottles, or metal cans. Additionally, the pouch has proven to offer the power of package differentiation on the retail shelf, enabling both older and newer brands to stand out in the crowded marketplace.
Flexible Packaging has been increasing globally, challenging traditional-style containers in many product categories. Pouches are now also available in mono-material structures that can be recycled and are more sustainable compared to rigid alternatives. Packaging machinery technologies for producing or filling Spouted and Non-Spouted Pouch Packaging includes HFFS and Pre-Made fill seal machinery technologies capable of accommodating low, moderate, and high-volume applications.
The Spouted Standup Pouch for beverages creates a strategic point of differentiation and a marketing benefit for innovating the competitive refreshment and energy drink category
Reduce: Packaging Cost | Logistics| Plastic Bottle | Glass Bottle Waste
Provide: Package Differentiation | Convenience
Grow: Market Share | Build the Brand
Click Here to visit the Rviita web site
These new Spouted Pouch product introductions and packaging initiatives represent a growing number of examples of what we can expect to see as we enter the future of packaging. The Spouted Standup Pouch is an important alternative to the traditional glass, metal can, or plastic bottle. Packaging costs, warehousing space, and logistics are critical considerations when establishing a new start-up company or product introduction for any start-up or entrepreneurial company. The Standup Pouch offers some major advantages when considering these aspects.
The Standup Pouch for beverage applications has been further improved by adding a spout and cap or other special dispensing features for convenience and added functionality. This enhanced flexible packaging format may be used as either a bottle replacement or a line extension, providing a packaging alternative to a broader demographic of consumers who may prefer a pouch over a bottle depending upon their occasion of use. Flexible Packaging dramatically reduces transportation, warehousing, and infrastructure and is a cost-effective alternative to rigid plastic, glass bottles, or metal cans. Additionally, the pouch offers the power of package differentiation on the retail shelf, enabling both older and newer brands to stand out in the marketplace.
Remember, the generations annually consuming billions of Capri Sun® and other popular pouched drinks through their childhood and beyond are now adults, mothers, and fathers open to purchasing and drinking from a pouch instead of a traditional bottle or can. We have seen the same amazing shift take place with the introduction of baby food in the Spouted Standup Pouch, effectively re-inventing the entire category.
Standup Pouch Packaging has been increasing globally, challenging traditional-style rigid containers in many product categories. Standup Pouches are now also available in mono-material structures that can be recycled.
Packaging machinery technologies for producing or filling Spouted Pouch Packaging includes HFFS and Pre-Made fill seal machinery technologies capable of accommodating low, moderate, and high-volume applications.
The Spouted Standup Pouch as a Refill Tool is Innovating the Home and Personal Care Markets
Reduce & Reuse: Packaging Cost|Logistics|Plastic Bottle Waste
Provide: Package Differentiation|Convenience
Grow: Market Share|Build the Brand
Congratulations to the innovative brands that are choosing to use the Spouted Standup Pouch as a means of reducing plastic consumption and waste. Using the Spouted Pouch to refill the plastic bottle multiple X times effectively extends the lifecycle of the bottle by repositioning it as a reusable container.
This is a great example of how packaging can be used strategically and collaboratively to Reduce, Reuse and Refill by “partnering” the existing traditional rigid plastic bottle with a flexible packaging alternative.
These new refill product introductions and packaging strategies are a growing number of examples of what we can expect to see as we go into the future of packaging. The Spouted Standup Pouch format will continue to be an important tool to address a circular and more environmental world.
This refill strategy works since the rigid bottle is typically robust enough in design to certainly go around more than once. When empty these plastic bottles are typically disposed in the trash or recycle bin with only a hope of actually being recycled. Extending the plastic bottles lifecycle is good for the environment, reduces landfill and improves marketing by inviting the consumer back to purchase the refill and in doing so helps to build brand loyalty.
The Standup Pouch for this application has been further improved with the addition of a spout and cap or other special dispensing feature for added convenience and improved functionality. This enhanced flexible packaging format may be used as either a refill or primary package alternative. Flexible Packaging provides a dramatic reduction in transportation, warehousing and infrastructure, as well as a cost effective alternative to the rigid plastic bottle. Additionally, the pouch offers the power of package differentiation on the retail shelf, enabling both older and newer brands to stand out in the marketplace.
Standup Pouch Packaging has been increasing globally and is challenging traditional style rigid containers in a multitude of product categories. Standup Pouches are now available in mono-material structures with the ability to be recycled. If not recycled the empty pouch sacrifices itself to landfill thereby extending the life of the plastic bottle, saving plastic, landfill space, transportation and carbon footprint.
Packaging machinery technologies for producing or filling Spouted Pouch Packaging includes HFFS and Pre-made Fill seal Machinery solutions.
The Retort Standup Pouch is Creating Excitement in the Shelf Ready Food Category
Reduce: Packaging Cost|Logistics
Provide: Package Differentiation|Convenience
Grow: Market Share|Build the Brand
Congratulations to Proper Good® for their product introductions and packaging choice which are great examples of the use of the modern Retort Standup Pouch as an effective and creative marketing tool and innovative packaging solution for a new generation of consumer.
Retort Standup Pouch Packaging has been increasing globally and is challenging traditional style metal cans and rigid containers for a growing segment of newly introduced shelf stable foods. The Retort Standup Pouch alternative provides a dramatic reduction in transportation, warehousing and infrastructure, as well as a cost effective packaging solution. Additionally, the pouch offers the power of package differentiation on the retail shelf, enabling both older and newer brands to stand out in the marketplace.
The modern Retort Standup Pouch package format is changing the commodity perception of traditional “canned” foods. The Retort Standup Pouch, enables both older and newer brands to re-invent their mature products and appeal to a younger demographic of consumer who values convenience since it better suits their “On the Go” lifestyle.
Florida-based ALLIEDFLEX Technologies is an American packaging machinery supplier and advocate for flexible packaging. President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Calamusa remembers it as little more than a home office when it began in January 2002. Today, the company provides machinery that specializes in creating flexible packaging solutions, including machinery for creating stand-up pouches and pouch packaging.
While the company is an advocate for the concept of flexible packaging, it crucially identifies itself as a packaging machinery company first and foremost. Calamusa describes packaging, and especially flexible packaging, as a very important strategic tool for any company looking to use it, as it can help revolutionize the business and sell more of the product inside the package.
The Inevitable Shift Toward The Future Of Packaging
By Dennis Calamusa
Published in the July issue of “In Side Packaging” magazine.
The flexible packaging industry produces innovative, sustainable packaging that offers significant value to product manufacturers, retailers, and consumers.
To read this article please CLICK HERE.
Case Study:
Sonovo Clearguard
Packaging
Is your brand transparent enough to attract millennial parents? Demographic research suggests that of the 105 million millennials in the market today, 40% are parents, and they are the most engaged subset of all consumers. They’re looking for the safest, healthiest products for their children– without sacrificing convenience for their busy, on-the-go lifestyles and they have an estimated $1.6 Trillion in purchasing power to put behind their choices. These parents demand clarity from brands about what goes into their children’s food and other products, and they want literal clarity from packaging to see the quality and integrity of these products. In response to this need for transparency and trust, one major consumer goods company decided to switch from an opaque pouch to a clear one that would allow parents to inspect the product before they served it to their children.
Learn more about how committed these “parennials” are, and how one brand responded. Click here to download the pdf
Most people would agree that we need to look after our planet, so that we and future generations can enjoy it. I certainly feel that way and it is good to see so many articles bringing attention to the topic. They make people want to act. Our leaders, major corporations and even children are demanding action. But what actions are the wisest? How can we be sure that we are helping and not harming our environment? As a scientist, I wanted to see the facts, but I didn’t find any in the articles online. Hardly any of the articles referenced scientific studies. I began to realize that just about all we believe about the environment is based on LinkedIn headlines, YouTube videos and articles that are just opinion pieces, without any solid foundation. That made me uneasy. As you will see, virtually everything we have been told about plastics and the environment is a lie. When you check the science, it reveals a very different picture.
Transparent pouch clearly differentiates Tree Top Apple Sauce
Company says pouch represents a ‘game changer’ and allows parents and children to ‘see it before they squeeze it.’
By
The flexible packaging industry leads important packaging trends by extending shelf life and increasing safety, design flexibility, convenience, and sustainability. Check out the new Perfect Packaging web site as it describes the amazing array of benefits for flexible packaging, the types of flexible packaging and its environmental impact.
We hope you find our articles and industry insights useful in planning your own flexible packaging future. Select an article below and click the link to view the article:
CalamusaReprint_FLP1113_Insights
Flexible_Packaging_Stick-Pack_Article-Flexible_Insights
Clemson Building a Bright Flexible Future
Discovering Frozen Assets in the Frozen Food Aisle
Pouch Packaging Design & Packaging Machinery Technology Trends
Pouch Packaging Design Trends & Technologies
Stick-Pack Shakes Up Product Innovation and Drives Flexible Packaging Sales
TIPPING POINTS Driving Change Toward Flexible Packaging
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