August 6, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Fundraising has become big business. One of the largest and most-effective organizations helping non-profits earn money to keep their operations going is Market Day (www.marketday.com), based in Itasca, IL. 

Market Day grew out of one Ilinois woman's effort  back in 1972 to help missionaries by selling flowers grown in her garden. Trudi Temple later found that the flowers weren't enough, so she began a food co-op that sold purchased foods around the neighborhood. In 1975, her daughter asked to provide something for a school bake sale. Trudi envisioned something more effective. She began selling food...Read More

July 31, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (1)

Do we have to learn to be "green?" I guess it's just not instinctive for humans. Perhaps it's the natural order that we consume more than we need and throw away the rest.

In that case, it's fitting that sustainability is spreading rapidly across industries and becoming especially important in packaging. First, there was awareness. Now there is a need for education. Have you seen how many specialized sustainability conferences are now available? Many of these are designed for someone at a senior level who may have sole responsibility within a coporation for the sustainability function.

Yesterday, I met with representatives of the Institute of Packaging Professionals. Th...Read More

Industries: Package Design, Sustainable Packaging

April 25, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Spring and Interpack are in full bloom here in Dusseldorf, Germany. The Interpack show, which is said to be the world`s largest packaging show in 2008, is well underway. There is a spectacualar array of packaging technology on display at the show, with exhibits spilling across 18 halls at the Messe Dusseldorf Fairgrounds. 

Almost everything you can imagine in materials, eqiupment, services and finished packaging is on display. There are many companies I have never heard of, (most European). Yet they are showing advanced equipment designed with European flair. There is a distinct international flavor at the show. You would expect to hear German, French and Italian at a European show: Still; in the expected crowd of more than 170,000; you a...Read More

February 14, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (3)

Some numbers are staggering. Consider that the total worldwide sales for the Top 250 consumer product companies exceeded $2.65 trillion in 2006.  

That's the result of Deloitte's inaugural Global Powers of Consumer Products Industry report. When you think of that amount in terms of millions of packaged items, how can you put your mind around that sum?

North American companies dominate the list in terms of numbers and size.  There are 94 North American companies in the Top 250 with average sales figures over $11 billion, the largest average of any of the regions.  However, these c...Read More

January 7, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (3)

One thing that can be said for the packaging industry: It offers a steady stream of innovations. Some are so painfully obvious that you're tempted to smack yourself in the forehead and say, "Why didn't I think of that?" Other packaging innovations are patently absurd. Some are just plain difficult to classify.

For instance, Batter Blaster now offers pancake batter in a pressurized can, similar to that used for whipped cream. It sure takes the mess out of making pancakes and can save valuable time when you're trying to get moving in the morning. Some say the product even tastes good! 

On the other hand, frozen pancakes can be popped in the microwave and be ready in seconds. One must al...Read More