Packaging Strategies Blog

Subscribe

Apparently the Broccoli People are no more.

Bellisio Foods, makers of Michelina’s, is test-marketing a new line of frozen foods cross-branded with “The Joy of Cooking.”... I just have one problem with the concept: Isn’t the whole point of buying frozen foods to experience the joy of not cooking?

While the wireless sensor technology mentioned in the press release below describes applications for consumers, I see potential for use in food and beverage manufacturing plants as a way to remotely monitor packaging machinery for preventive maintenance.

I don’t find it surprising that consumers are causing an uproar in response to POM’s transition from a glass container to a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle.

I’ve heard a lot of abstract talk about the importance of training, but Debra’s words brought it home to me in the way no consultant or equipment supplier could. Here’s a woman who wants, in fact is desperate, to do a good job, and is stymied by lack of training.

Cell phones. PDAs. Bluetooth. Wireless communication continues to advance in our personal lives and in the business world. Acceptance in packaging departments has been spotty at best, though. Perhaps you would use more wireless technology if you could clearly see the benefits.

Well…take a look at these production and marketing ideas:

A tremendous outburst of creativity in packaging has happened over the last several years. Retailers, their supplier partners and, especially, packaging companies should take advantage of the many innovations that not only improve product usage but also make them more salable. However, everyone in the supply chain should be careful to obey the disciplines imposed by the shelf environment as they enjoy the fruits of the designers’ inventiveness.

Consider the packaging materials, shapes, flavors and benefits offered by today’s non-alcoholic beverages. (Four materials) X (10 shapes) X (20+ flavors) X (20+ benefits) = at least 16,000 options in convenience stores alone.

Packagers face the dilemma of selecting new or used machinery. The pros and cons of each can make it a tough decision. Here’s a look at some of them.

One of our shoppers summed things up by saying: “Prices are soaring, and packages are getting smaller. I think we are in a pickle.”