| |
| download the Flames Works |
|
|
| Your current location：Home>>Information>>News |
|
|
Putting packaging in perspective
Date:2009-12-07 |
|
A condensed version of the five-hour discussion among representatives from leading packaging suppliers, a regulatory expert and FOOD PROCESSING editors. FOOD PROCESSING associate publisher Bob Messenger moderated the session.
Messenger: How is packaging going to play into current and emerging consumer trends? What kind of packaging will have the greatest impact on consumers and on the food processing industry as we move into the next century?
Mack: The problem we have is that we don't really sell to the consumer. We're selling to the person who sells to the consumer [the food companies]. And they resist making any changes until the consumer demands it. It makes it very difficult for a packaging company to come up with new and innovative things - whether they're cheaper or better or more useful or more functional - because first you have to convince the food company that the consumer will really like this.
Svik: If you look just five years ago and certainly 10 years ago, most of the companies had fairly strong packaging development departments. Now many of those have gone by the wayside in the cost-cutting machine, so they kind of look at the packaging suppliers and say, 'You show some leadership.' Yet at the same time they're saying, 'Why are you investing in R&D?' and, 'How is that going to affect the bottom-line costs?'
Jolley: The big guys [food companies] are protecting market niches. I don't think they really are interested in that much innovation. . . . But there are an awful lot of small- to medium-sized guys out there who are very innovative.
Messenger: When I hear from the little guys of the business, they tell me that suppliers often tell them their volume is not worthwhile. Do you really want that little guy to come to you?
Jolley: Oh, yes. You have to look at the long run, I think. Those small- to medium-size guys definitely don't make you a lot of money. They want a lot of innovation. They want a lot of help. And they do cost you money, but there's a couple of things that happen down the road. Some of those guys get to be pretty big, and all of a sudden you are making money.
|
|
 |
|
