Wrapping product means major money

“Reaching consumers is much harder than it used to be and that’s an opportunity for the packaging industry, because 70% of buying decisions are made in the store while looking at the product.”
Harris DeLoach, chief executive of Sonoco Products delivered the keynote speech Monday at Pack Expo International in Chicago relaying this insight and others.
“It used to be that companies advertised on three TV networks and in a couple of magazines. Now there’s cable TV and the Internet. Now, shapes, sizes, and eye-catching graphics are ever more important,” DeLoach said.
“Customers want ready-to-eat, smaller portions, convenience and time oriented packaging of foods. They want safety, security, tamper-free, reduced and recyclable packaging of food and products. Consumers want sustainability,” he said.
That’s why packaging is dynamic. It has to change with time as does anything that wants to stay with the times and remain relevant.
On the Expo floor at the McCormick Center, there were four overriding themes: RFID (radio frequency identification), robotics, flexible packaging, and brand security.
The first two appeal primarily to the manufacturer by lowering production costs and the latter two pleasing the consumer, making them feel safe and secure in their purchase.
The show organizer is the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute. Attendance will probably exceed 50,000 and the show occupies 1.2 million square feet of floor space.
There are several co-located events including the CPP (converting/packaging printing) Expo, PROCESS EXPO, and the Conference at PACK EXPO.
-- Nicholas Sheble