Tag Archives: clamshell

PVC Clamshells Are Out!

03 Thursday Dec 2020

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

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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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CUSTOM THERMOFORMING IN REVIEW

29 Wednesday Jul 2020

Posted by in Consumer Satisfaction, Info for Buyers, manufacturing, Marketing, Packaging Design, Product Development

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The consumer packaged goods (CPG) market averages 30,000 new product releases each year. To put that into perspective, a typical big box store like Walmart, is comprised of approximately 120,000 items. With so many choices, custom packaging has the ability to help you stand out from the crowd. You may choose the path of least resistance and select an existing stock clamshell in order to keep your initial investment low. This decision can lead to serious consequences in lost sales and inability to get advantageous product placement as well as shipping costs for packaging that does not properly fit your product

Cost
The main reason people choose stock packaging, is the cost associated with tool investment. Oftentimes, the upfront costs of a custom tool seem prohibitive. While there is a cost for a custom tool, it is minimal over the life of a product and a cost that can and should be planned into the overall cost of the project. There are many factors with stock packaging that can lead to overspending and quality issues. Knowing what these factors are can help to reduce any unforeseen issues as your product volume increases.

Volume
Volume is one of the main factors that helps to determine whether it would be advantageous to choose custom packaging over stock packaging. Larger parts will quickly justify the initial investment of custom packaging. The way to determine where your cost benefits are, is to discuss your options with a custom thermoformer, such as Mercury Plastics, who understands the market and can guide you through the costs associated with custom packaging.

Design and Appearance
Packaging design matters to the consumer. We have all bought products merely based upon unique packaging.  Custom packaging helps your package stand out allowing you to sell more product, which lowers costs and increases revenue. We understand that your product is special, the packaging should reflect the care and attention to detail and countless hours that you have put into development. There are many details that can be added to a custom thermoformed package in order to get the consumers attention. Adding unique features into a custom thermoformed package can be done with little to no additional cost to the piece price.  Take the time to talk to someone that can help you with your design options.

Custom packaging allows for a better fit, can use less plastic creating a lower price point, and can also yield a higher sales volume. Know your options and how custom thermoforming can benefit your product.

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.

Subscribe to this blog to stay up to date on industry trends and new developments by Mercury Plastics, Inc.

Mercury Plastics, Inc. Expands Operations

14 Tuesday Jul 2020

Posted by in Marketing, Packaging Design

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Visit Mercury Plastics website

As some companies pause during these uncertain times, Chicago based Mercury Plastics, Inc. is set expand their operations in preparation for future growth.

For over 65 years, Mercury Plastics has been a leader in custom plastic thermoforming. Most people, whether they know it or not, have encountered products that have been manufactured by Mercury Plastics. Mercury Plastics has thermoformed products for some of the largest organizations in the world, making them a trusted resource and solutions provider to the plastics industry.  Their vast capabilities and dedication to quality are just a couple reasons they continue to grow in such an unpredictable economy.

Capabilities and more…
Mercury Plastics dedication to quality and a commitment to supply customer-based solutions have inspired them to continually add equipment which expand their capabilities as well as meet the ever-changing demands of a global marketplace. With a wide variety of capabilities including: POP displays, clamshell/blister packaging, custom pallets/trays, screen/digital/distortion printing, in-house sheet extrusion, and custom thermoformed OEM components, Mercury Plastics can fulfill or exceed the customer’s expectations for almost any project in-house.

Speed to Market
The current global market demands that you be able to react quickly. The ability to react quickly to our customer demands and launch product fast is as important to us as it is to you. Mercury Plastics in-house design and tool room allow for important products to be launched quickly and correctly. Mercury consistently strives to exceed expectations and meet their goal of zero defects.

Preparing for the Future
Over the years, Mercury Plastics has continuously expanded their operation and capabilities to better serve their customers and provide more cost-effective solutions.  The addition of In-house sheet extrusion of PET and Polystyrene in previous years and now adding to their current inline thermoforming equipment makes them the top choice for custom thermoforming solutions.

Thick and Thin
Mercury Plastics has an extensive list of equipment accommodating both thick and thin gauge thermoforming. The ability to form a wide range of gauge thickness’ paired with their capability to process, print, or assemble, creates a solution driven organization that can meet your needs.

Mercury Plastics is a proven leader in the custom thermoform industry and here to help with any questions or projects that you may have.  To learn more about Mercury Plastics, or to learn how we can put our expertise to work for you, contact Brian Pankratz, bpankratz@mercuryplasticsinc.com for more information.   

Questions to ask when designing packaging: Determining how to package

20 Thursday Mar 2014

Posted by in Marketing, Packaging Design

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Question markI answer my cell phone and on the other line is my customer. They have a new product and need some ideas on how to package it. How do I know I am offering the best packaging options to fit their needs? The answer…by asking the right questions.

In the first post of this series we reviewed some questions to ask about the product. Now that we have the information needed about the product, we can move on to determining the best method or style to package the product. Although this method is usually driven by cost, it is important to ask the questions so that the right packaging is developed.

There are many questions to ask in this step, the list is long and detailed, but here are a few worth mentioning…

1. What type of protection does the product need? One of the main responsibilities of packaging is to deliver the product to the customer without damage. Certain packaging types are needed to be able to protect the product better. It is important to understand how the product needs to be protected and design styles of packaging around those features. Packaging a screwdriver will be much different than packaging a light bulb.

2. Is there a certain style of packaging desired? Carton, clamshell, blister, trapped blister, envelope, etc. Even though a lot of questions are asked to determine the right style of packaging, it is always a good idea to get the manufacturers thoughts on how they would like to see their product displayed.

3. What materials are desired? Which types of materials should be avoided? Available material options include certified boards, recycled plastics, microwavable, dishwasher safe, etc. It is also good to find out if certain materials should be avoided. Some retailers do not like certain materials and it is important to know where the product is being sold so the right materials can be selected.

4. Who is doing the assembly? Depending who is doing the assembly and what type of equipment they have will dictate or eliminate some types of designs if purchasing capital equipment isn’t an option.

5. What type of visibility does the product need? Some products have multiple components to them and some need to be visible while some do not. Understand the visibility requirements. It is typically always better to show at least some of the product when possible. This helps to ensure the customer is buying the right product. Try to show the product when possible.

6. Does the packaging have a use after it’s purchased? In some cases the packaging will be used to hold a product for multiple uses by the consumer. Examples are: screws, eggs, cereal, etc. The product will most likely not be used in one use, so the packaging has to be designed for multiple uses. In this case, open and close features become very important.

The full list of questions to ask when designing packaging is significantly longer than listed here and continues to grow as technology and processes evolve. The goal is to ask questions that are relevant to the product you are packaging so that greater success is achieved.

At the end of this series, I will be sending out a complete list of questions to all who are subscribed to my blog. Visit http://www.brianpankratz.com and subscribe to this blog if you are interested in receiving the full version.

For questions or if you would like help with designing your products packaging, contact Brian Pankratz