
28 May 2014 Move over bag-in-box!
This latest development – a stand-up pouch with an easy-pour spout and cap – was created for a customer who wanted to replace a bag-in-box option with a flexible pack, with the multiple aims of saving costs, using less packaging material, reducing transportation costs, and considerably improving shelf appeal.
The product is Sunkist’s five-litre fruit-flavoured dairy blend.
According to owner and MD of Packaging World, Dean Gianni, considerable research went into the launch of this bag. ‘We researched films, inks and spouts, and we conducted an in-depth life cycle analysis to ensure the efficient transportation and storage of the product,’ he explains.
The easy-pour spout and cap mechanisms are carefully engineered to allow quick pouring and to minimise spillage, while maintaining safe food storage. An ergonomically-angled handle not only facilitates steady pouring from the bag but also makes the pack easily portable.
“Apart from a great investment in research and development, we’ve also invested in a second automatic spout inserter with a high capacity to meet the enormous growth that we’re achieving in the market for stand-up pouches with spouts,” Gianni adds.
It’s common cause that the stand-up pouch offers numerous marketing benefits. A brand simply has to grab the shopper’s attention and this is where this packaging format excels. Not only does its shape and design allow for increased surface area for marketing messages, it can be superbly printed using colourful designs in up to eight colours – using gravure or flexo printing.
“Our business model has always been to source printed material from other printers, when we’re unable to produce it ourselves, rather than trying to compete with them,” Gianni says. ‘In fact, we have an exclusive agreement with CTP Flexibles in Cape Town to supply high-quality printed substrates, when needed,” he adds.
However, despite this symbiotic relationship, and the exemplary quality of printed material supplied by CTP Flexibles, the company recently invested in their own eightcolour flexo press to produce material for niche market segments such as laminates, stable films, customised print runs and broker orders.
On the graphics front, the team at Packaging World worked closely with Repro Flex. “In fact, Repro Flex handled all the design work and printing plates to the point of even assisting printing operations on the customer’s behalf,” Gianni remarks.
In his view, this stand-up pouch bag is destined for big things. “We see it perfectly packaging products such as wines, sauces, cold drinks, water, chemicals and various other liquid products,” he comments. “It’s going to mean big things for our team!”
First published in PACKAGiNG & Print Media, New Year Edition, 2014
Packaging World: www.packagingworld.co.za