Global Packaging Alliance Holds Annual Meeting in Europe
Rochester, NY – The Global Packaging Alliance (GPA) held its annual meeting in Europe during the week of May 24, 2010. With members convening from all over the world, the yearly event provided an ideal forum to discuss global market and technology trends.
GPA members spent the first half of the week in Germany and had the opportunity to tour rlc | packaging group’s general and pharmaceutical packaging facilities in Berlin. Members also exchanged views over new technologies and production processes and explored manufacturing and materials options that address requests of global brands to reduce the carbon footprint of their products.
“Know-how-transfer and experience exchange within the GPA network provide us and our customers a decisive competitive advantage – even when it comes to the development of sustainable production methods,” said Hans-Christian Bestehorn, manager of rlc | packaging group and president of the GPA. “Marketers want to support ecological causes, but do not want to sacrifice packaging refinement, for in the end it is essential for brands to communicate a high quality image and command attention at the point-of-sale.”
To that end, GPA members rlc | packaging group and Diamond Packaging demonstrated their Green Chic™ packaging model through the use of more sustainable converting methods, including the inline application of environmentally-friendly metallic coating and holographic effects. Both techniques deliver impact in the retail environment while yielding potential cost savings and resulting in less material and energy usage compared to offline decorating processes.
GPA members unanimously approved a motion to induct Masterpack as a full GPA member, after having completed two years of service as a satellite member.
The second half of the week was spent visiting Polygrafoformlenie’s flexible packaging and labeling facilities in St. Petersburg, Russia. The company recently installed a state-of-the-art, completely automated 10-color Fischer & Krecke Flexpress 16S-10 flexographic printing press
About GPA
The Global Packaging Alliance is an international organization of independent packaging experts proficient at managing all aspects of the supply chain. With state-of-the-art production facilities and logistics centers around the world, the GPA provides responsive, localized service, award-winning creative designs, identical product specifications and consistent brand recognition, resulting in unparalleled global packaging support. Members include:
- Diamond Packaging - Rochester, NY, USA
- rlc | packaging group - Hannover, Germany
- Colorpak Limited - Melbourne, Australia
- Gonçalves SA Indústria Gráfica - Sao Paolo, Brazil
- Polygrafoformlenie Flexo - St. Petersburg, Russia
- Yau Bon Offset Printing - Shenzhe,n China
- Cartmont Packaging - Tlalnepantla, Mexico
- Kumar Printers - Gurgaon, India
- Masterpack - Johannesburg, South Africa
GPA members practice packaging management geared toward the needs of international companies, including Bayer, Beiersdorf, GlaxoSmithKline, Kraft Foods, L’Oreal, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, Schering Plough, and Unilever. This includes designing and producing innovative paperboard and plastic packaging, as well as providing logistical services such as fulfillment and POP management. The GPA’s goal is to support clients in launching new brands or products, while significantly reducing time-to-market. For more information about the Global Packaging Alliance, contact Dennis Bacchetta at (585) 334-8030 x229 or visit the website at www.global-packaging-alliance.com.
About Diamond Packaging
Founded in 1911, Diamond Packaging is a WBENC-certified woman-owned business specializing in developing innovative and sustainable packaging solutions. Utilizing state of-the-art technologies, Diamond designs and manufactures paperboard and plastic folding cartons, and provides comprehensive contract packaging services for the personal care (cosmetics & skin care, fragrance, hair care), health care, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and food and confectionery industries. Its client portfolio includes Bausch & Lomb, Beiersdorf, Coty, Elizabeth Arden, Estée Lauder, Godiva Chocolatier, Johnson & Johnson, L’Oreal, and Procter & Gamble. As part of the Global Packaging Alliance® (GPA), Diamond and its alliance members offer packaging solutions to companies operating on an international scale. Customers receive responsive, localized service, award-winning creative designs, identical product specifications and consistent brand recognition, resulting in unparalleled worldwide packaging support. For more information about Diamond Packaging, contact Dennis Bacchetta at (585) 334-8030 x229 or visit the website at www.diamondpackaging.com. For more information about Diamond’s greenbox initiative, visit the sustainability microsite at www.diamondpackaging.com/green.
