4 Important Packaging Trends to Keep in Mind at Pack Expo 2016

As the leaves change colors in the Midwest and the temperatures fall, the time of year for Pack Expo arrives once again. Held in Chicago in 2016, the main event for processing and packaging combines over 2,300 exhibitors, more than 100 free education sessions, networking opportunities, and the chance to see what's new and next in packaging technologies. Pack Expo and PMMI just released an 'In the Know' report detailing what's trending in packaging. These insights are important to keep in mind as you are considering packaging solutions at Pack Expo.

1. Consumer Desires are Increasingly Specific and Personal

No longer satisfied with 'one-size-fits-all' packaging, consumers now demand much more from the products they purchase. And with the explosion of new SKUs hitting the shelves today, shoppers are not short on choices. More available products mean more competition, which means consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies must be consistently innovating to satisfy today's consumers. Pack Expo reports that current packaging desires include:

• Environmentally safe packaging
• Channel-specific products
• Shelf-ready packaging
• Extended shelf life packaging
• Packaging that is easy to open and reseal

The main resonating theme in all of the above demands seems to be Convenience, with a capital 'C'. We are busier than ever before with careers and family and see packaging no longer as just functional to protect and preserve the product but as transformational in making our lives easier. CPG companies that understand these pervasive consumer demands will have a leg up on the competition.

2. Challenges Continue in a 'Thinning' Manufacturing Environment

Today's manufacturers must do more with less as consolidations, mergers, and acquisitions still pervade the industry. Many companies must satisfy the shareholder at the end of the day, and resulting cost cuts can cause stress at all levels of the organization. However, with challenges come opportunities and innovation, especially when it comes to packaging equipment. 

When CPGs look to make a capital equipment acquisition, being able to accurately calculate Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is vital. TCO takes into consideration other costs above just initial purchase price, including maintenance, training, parts, cleaning, and access to OEM resources. With this calculation, a manufacturer can make an informed decision when deciding to update their packaging equipment, instead of just purchasing on initial price alone. This leads to significant cost savings over the long term.

Seeking packaging machinery that can package multiple SKUs is also trending in many industries. The SKU explosion mentioned above and changing consumer desires create a need for packaging equipment that can 'wear many hats' and produce multiple SKUs on a single machine. Modular, flexible packaging machines that can easily accommodate different products, bag types and bag sizes with easy tool-free changeover are in high demand today for these reasons.

3. Hardship Abounds in Attracting and Retaining Top Talent 

Pack Expo's In the Know report states that "every market segment studied this year...noted attracting and retaining quality talent in processing and packaging as arguably the greatest challenge facing all manufacturing today." That's a pretty bold statement and signifies a serious issue. A company is only as strong as its workforce, after all.

Today's emerging talent pool is very different than the established workforce. Younger job seekers are attracted to innovation and the 'cool factor' when it comes to packaging technologies, but often do not possess the practical and hands-on skills that the established workforce has honed over the years. Older workers have the innate mechanical knowledge from many years working in the same industry, possibly at the same company, but perhaps don't possess the servo and project management skills of the emerging generation.

CPG companies desire worker engagement and cross-trained teams. This can be achieved by forging a lifetime partnership with a packaging equipment manufacturer that will not only provide the machinery but be there in an involved capacity for the lifetime of the equipment.

4. A Balance Between Sustainability and Convenience

A buzzword that is nowhere near retirement, 'sustainability' pervades almost every industry, but is especially important in flexible packaging. By default, placing products inside any packaging or container creates waste, and, driven by consumers, retailers, and government initiatives, the industry continues to innovate in the direction of a truly sustainable supply chain, from raw materials to end consumer.

With flexible packaging, sustainability challenges arise when trying to maintain and create convenient solutions to enable consumers to both enjoy a fresh product and repurpose the packaging afterward. There is still a shortage of locations to recycle most green flexible packaging materials, and creating functional sustainable packaging materials can still be cost-prohibitive. There is no quick, easy solution to this challenge, but headway is being made each day in many different industries. We have no doubt sustainable packaging solutions will be the industry norm in the next few decades.

Attend The Main Event for Processing and Packaging in Chicago to see the latest trends, innovations, and new products that can revolutionize your packaging process.