PVC Clamshells Are Out!

03 Thursday Dec 2020

Posted by Brian Pankratz in Cost Savings, Info for Buyers, manufacturing, Packaging Design, Sustainability

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blister, blister packaging, clamshell, containers, cost savings, custom thermoforming, PET, PVC, recycling, request for quote, RPET, sustainability, thermoforming, Walmart

On Feb. 26, 2019, Walmart announced a new initiative for plastic packaging. One key area of focus is to, “eliminate the non-recyclable packaging material PVC in general merchandise packaging by 2020.” Walmart also introduced a new recycling playbook and recycled content goals. The sustainable initiatives by Walmart inspired other large retailers to adopt similar goals.

Walmart continues to target polyvinyl chloride (PVC) packaging, but the reality is, manufacturers should want to make the change regardless of what Walmart or any other large retailer mandate. Here is why:

Costs
PVC is more expensive to produce and convert than PET. Although larger retailers are heralding the ecological benefits of PET, the bottom line is always the bottom line. The bottom line is PVC IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN PET. This one fact alone should be motivation enough for manufacturers to switch to PET. Savings (and profitability) can be realized by switching to PET. To compare your current PVC packaging to PET, enter your info HERE.

Eco-friendly
PET is the most widely used and recyclable material used in packaging today. It can be easily recycled in most municipalities. PVC is not considered a sustainable material and is considered an environmentally poor choice for packaging materials.

Versatility
PET materials excel in a wide variety of applications including, clamshells, trapped blisters and sealing to paperboard, however, PET really shines in food packaging solutions. There are also PET designs that can reduce or eliminate the need for sealing the clamshell.

The switch to PET is an easy and beneficial change that can help with profitability. Start the process today by filling out the Request for Quote Form.

Like to know more about custom theromoforming and understand the costs for your product. Contact Brian Pankratz at Mercury Plastics, Inc. to learn more, bpankratz@mercuryplasticsinc.com.

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About the SuperBowl Commercials…

04 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by Brian Pankratz in Consumer Satisfaction, Cost Savings, Marketing, Packaging Design, Product Development, Sustainability

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advertising, Ameristar Award, brian pankratz, brianjpankratz, cost reduction, cost savings, Display Pack, Innovation, Marketing, maximize profit, New packaging designs, new product, packaging, packaging and containers, packaging companies, packaging design, Packaging solutions, packaging supplier, pankratz, printing, product development, Product Packaging, single source, thermoforming

Do you know anyone who watches the Superbowl for the commercials?

Did you find yourself waiting to be amused when a new commercial came on?

Ask yourself this question…if companies can produce commercials during the Superbowl that draw our attention and get us laughing and talking for days , then why aren’t commercials like that all year-long? Have we been programmed to just settle the rest of the year and only expect greatness in advertising while watching the Superbowl?

Now about packaging
Since we’re talking about packaging, I’ll ask another question…why do some companies settle when packaging their products? If packaging helps to sell the product, then why would anyone want to settle for packaging that doesn’t “WOW” the consumer?

It’s your call
The fact is…new packaging designs take time and resources. I completely understand that our schedules make it tough to fit in additional projects. But, what if I told you that I can evaluate your current packaging and offer honest feedback at no costs? Offering designs that could leap-frog your product ahead of your competitors? Would you be interested? What do new packaging designs offer?

Here are a few benefits that earlier redesigns have resulted in:

1. Reduced cost for packaging resulting in increased profit.
2. Packaging design awards.
3. The use of more sustainable materials.
4. Smaller carbon footprint in manufacture process.
5. Reduction in packaging components used.
6. Increased satisfaction among retailers and consumers.

So now what?
If you have products that you are responsible for and want to find out if there are better ways to packaging them, contact me and let’s talk. Step one is to have a quick discussion to decide if there is a fit for us to work together. If there is a fit…we continue, if there isn’t a fit…we don’t. Pretty simple and shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes.

Don’t let your packaging turn into every other design. Make it unique and “WOW” the consumer with every product you have!

For more information on creating new packaging designs, contact Brian Pankratz. bpankratz@mercuryplasticsinc.com.

– Week 3: How Important is Profit? Plan-Plan-Plan!

09 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by Brian Pankratz in Cost Savings, Packaging Design, Product Development

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2013 goals, advertising, brian pankratz, brianjpankratz, co-packing, cost reduction, cost savings, Design, designs, Display Pack, Innovation, Marketing, maximize profit, New packaging designs, new product, packaging, packaging and containers, packaging assembly, packaging companies, packaging design, Packaging solutions, packaging supplier, pankratz, printing, product development, Product Packaging, profit, Profitability, reduce costs, single source, Supplier, sustainability, thermoforming

Welcome to week three of, “How to cut costs and maximize profit in the New Year.” Let’s start with a question: How important is profit to your company? The ability to keep the doors open depends on your ability to create profit. Not only is being profitable important, it allows organizations options to produce additional growth. Investing in new equipment and launching new products is dependent on the ability to create profit.

A quick look back…
To summarize where we have been in this series…in week one, we reviewed ways to design your packaging to increase profits. In week two, we covered how being sustainable can increase profits. This week we are going to focus on how planning can either increase or take away profit.

Plan-Plan-Plan
Regardless of what industry you are in, the same goes for all…poor planning will contribute to increased costs. The better planner you are, the more you can eliminate added costs. How orders are placed, how packaging is designed, and how much time is allowed to complete projects are all examples of areas planning is important.

Example:

In the year 2013, company ABC plans on launching five new products. They are similar in size and shape, but do have features that make them different. The method of packaging will be a clamshell with an insert card.

Poor planning: Create five different clamshells to custom fit each product.

Good planning: Create one clamshell that can hold all five different products. (If needed, create a smaller insert tray to better hold the product in place.)

Result: The “Good planning” example will have the same packaging for all five parts. Since the packaging is similar for all five, the quantities will be more, which will allow for better pricing and will result in one part number being used over five parts. The insert cards will be a common die line which will result in better pricing for printing. Also, it will reduce the chance for obsolescence packaging costs.

There are several examples similar to the one above that can lead to increased costs due to poor planning. The goal is to work with suppliers that can identify these areas and help reduce your costs resulting in increased profits. Sometimes, identifying these areas can be difficult, so it is important to partner with those who have a track record of reducing costs while increasing the value of your packaging. Create profit in 2013 and do it by being good planners!

For questions or for more information on how you can increase profits in the coming year, contact Brian Pankratz at Mercury Plastics, Inc. bpankratz@mercuryplasticsinc.com.

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– Week 2: How to cut costs and maximize profit in the new year!

29 Saturday Dec 2012

Posted by Brian Pankratz in Cost Savings, Marketing, Packaging Design, Sustainability

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brian pankratz, brianjpankratz, cost reduction, cost savings, Design, Display Pack, environment, Innovation, Marketing, maximize profit, New packaging designs, packaging companies, packaging design, Packaging solutions, packaging supplier, pankratz, Product Packaging, Quality, single source, Supplier, sustainability, technology, thermoforming

Week 2: Sustainability increases profits!

Yes, the title is right…packaging your product in a way that communicates your companies care for the environment can help profitability. Why? The reason is…consumers like manufacturers that care about the environment.

A common problem
If a company cares about the environment, but doesn’t relay that message out to the consumer, how are they to know? Another question…if you package your product with 100% recycled materials, do you think it helps to say this on your packaging, or should you just have your customer guess if you have made the
decision to be sustainable? You guessed it, if you are taking a position to use recycled materials, tell the consumer. For some consumers it may be the deciding factor with two like products at equal price points.

Some areas to focus on
There are easy ways to package your products to promote sustainability. The raw materials you use, the use of certified materials or paper boards, keeping a low product to package ratio, possible down-gauging thermoformed plastics, and the best way is to actually tell the consumer verbally on your packaging. Use easy to recognize symbols and verbiage that tell the consumer that you are focused on the environment.

Consumers desire products from companies that they know are doing their part to help the environment. My advice is…be sustainable and communicate clearly how you are helping the environment with the way you are packaging your products.

For more information on how to cut costs and maximize profit with your products, contact Brian Pankratz at Mercury Plastics, Inc, bpankratz@mercuryplasticsinc.com.

– Week 1 – How to cut costs and maximize profit in the new year!

17 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by Brian Pankratz in Cost Savings, Packaging Design, Product Development

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brian pankratz, brianjpankratz, buyer, cost reduction, cost savings, Display Pack, environment, Holiday packaging ideas, Innovation, Marketing, maximize profit, New packaging designs, new product, packaging and containers, packaging assembly, packaging companies, packaging design, Packaging solutions, pankratz, printing, single source, Supplier, thermoforming

It’s that time of year again…executives around the globe are finalizing departmental budgets and are in the process of communicating next year’s cost savings targets. Over the next three weeks, I want to offer areas to help find these savings since many years of eliminating waste can make it difficult to find additional savings.

Please Remember!
The first thing to remember is, just because you reduce the cost of the packaging does not mean you sacrifice quality or create a less desirable package. Both cost reductions and better overall packaging can be achieved together.

Also, if you already haven’t, I want to invite you to subscribe to this blog to receive future updates in this series. If you know others that need this information, pass it along. If you have questions or need more help, reach out to me for help. Here we go…Week 1: New Designs That Save.

Week 1: New Designs That Save:
One of the best ways to reduce the cost of your packaging is through creating new designs. Many different objectives can be met by creating new packaging designs. The use of more cost effective materials, using less materials, creating designs that are easier to assemble, etc., are all areas to focus.

Why is design the best?
The reason I believe this to be the best method of reducing cost is because of the added benefits that will follow. Do you think that reducing the cost of your packaging along with increased sales would benefit your company? Of course, and that should be the main focus when you create new designs.

What else?
Other areas to review are your graphics. Using spot colors adds cost, are they really needed? Understand what is involved to assemble your packaging. Look for ways to reduce labor costs in the assembly operation (number of total pcs.). Look for ways to create added value with innovative or captivating features. Understand the value that each change can offer whether it is reducing costs or adding more value!

Adding these all together can bring huge costs savings while also increasing additional sales. Don’t just alter existing designs when a fresh new look is what your brand needs.

Need help?
The task of designing new packaging can be overwhelming, don’t do it without the proper consultation. For more information on getting the most out of your packaging, don’t hesitate to get others involved. I have been a part of this process in the past and records speak for themselves. Winning the Ameristar Award 5 out of the last 6 years was not easy, but we are proud of the work we were able to do for our customers.

For questions or for more information on new packaging designs, contact Brian Pankratz at Mercury Plastics, Inc., bpankratz@mercuryplasticsinc.com.

Brian Pankratz

~ Let's Talk Packaging

Category Archives: Cost Savings

PVC Clamshells Are Out!

About the SuperBowl Commercials…

– Week 3: How Important is Profit? Plan-Plan-Plan!

– Week 2: How to cut costs and maximize profit in the new year!

– Week 1 – How to cut costs and maximize profit in the new year!