Packaging Digest News

• Coca-Cola launches biggest-ever personalized packaging campaign across Europe
  
  by Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor, May 15, 2013
    The campaign is designed to help Coca-Cola engage directly with its consumers in 32 countries. It substitutes the iconic Coca-Cola logo on bottles of Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola light and Coca-Cola Zero with 150 of the most popular first names, nicknames and terms of affection in each country.
  
• Creating packaging jobs and growth through manufacturing innovation
  
  Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor, May 14, 2013
    Canadian Minister of State for Science and Technology Gary Goodyear speaks at PackEx Toronto about the importance of innovation, the adoption of new technologies and the benefits of government-industry collaboration to create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for packaging and manufacturing operations.
  
• First cloud-based app inspects packaging text and graphics
  
  Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor, May 14, 2013
    For only $1 per inspection, QCanywhere is designed to be an affordable and indispensable tool for protecting brand equity for any business. Users can review reports anywhere using a laptop, tablet or smart phone.
  
• Packaging redesign communicates SeaPak's rebranding
  
  Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor, May 14, 2013
    SeaPak has upgraded its brand identity with new packaging that brings its coastal-inspired flavors to life, strengthens branding, and improves shopability and findabillity at retail and club stores.
  
• NACD announces its 2013 Packages of the Year
  
  Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor, May 13, 2013
  Winners of the 50th Annual NACD Package Awards competition show excellence in packaging innovation, sustainability, graphics, decoration, shape, closure, texture, ease-of-use, consumer appeal and technical merit.
  
• PMMI unveils new image to reflect shift in industry
  
  Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor, May 13, 2013
    The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute is now PMMI: The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, and has an updated logo.
  
• Working with our little mechanical buddies
  
  C.G. Masi., Contributing Writer, May 12, 2013
  The ability of a robot to hold a two-way conversation with a human handler in spoken English could upend the way people work with robots. More importantly, it could upend the requirements for who could be trusted to operate them.
  
• Graphics redesign simplifies copy paper shopping
  
  Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor, May 12, 2013
    To improve the paper purchasing experience, Georgia-Pacific is re-launching its communication papers with streamlined color-coded packaging that places the most important product information front and center to help consumers quickly pick the best paper for their specific needs.
  
• Report identifies risks to U.S. defense supply chain
  
  Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor, May 12, 2013
  The report is call to action for a renewed focus on American manufacturing capacity and includes 10 recommendations to make the U.S. military less dependent on imported products to protect national security.
  
• New cold storage facility at NORPAC Foods Inc.
  
  Posted by Jack Mans, Plant Operations Editor, May 11, 2013
    NORPAC Foods Inc., has reached an agreement with Henningsen Cold Storage Co. to construct a 260,000-sq-ft frozen food storage and distribution facility adjacent to NORPAC's Salem, OR packaging facility. Additionally, NORPAC is relocating its corporate headquarters to Salem, also near its packaging facility.
  
• New UCSF robotic pharmacy aims to improve patient safety
  
  Posted by Jack Mans, Plant Operations Editor, May 11, 2013
    A family of giant robots behind the scenes at UCSF Medical Center now counts and processes medications for patients. With a new automated hospital pharmacy, believed to be the nation's most comprehensive, UCSF is using robotic technology and electronics to prepare and track medications with the goal of improving patient safety.
  
• Separately sealed pack gives salad mixings 18-day shelf life
  
  Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor, May 10, 2013
    Ruby Fresh's new Salad Jewels combine fresh pomegranate arils with savory ingredients to turn any ordinary green salad into the crowning jewel of a meal.
  
• Coors Banquet introduces new heritage packaging designs
  
  Edited by Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor, May 10, 2013
    Inspired by packaging that was developed in post-prohibition, the new Coors Banquet Bottle is "stubby" in shape and invites consumers to share in the experience that Coors Banquet fans have enjoyed for generations.
  
• Dairy churns out beautiful new package for Lurpak Spreadables line
  
  Edited by Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor, May 10, 2013
    Leading dairy producer Arla Foods found a winning recipe for its Lurpak Spreadables packaging. An elegant silver package helps convey the premium quality of the Danish made product while also protecting the product from the lights of the supermarket.
  
• New Pharma Expo co-locates with PACK EXPO Intl 2014
  
  Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor, May 10, 2013
    PMMI, owner and producer of the PACK EXPO tradeshows, and the Intl. Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering partner to create a new processing and packaging tradeshow and conference program for pharmaceutical, medical device and nutraceutical manufacturers.
  
• Royal Wine Co. increases capacity with automated case packing
  
  Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor, May 10, 2013
    The switch to automated case packing boosts output and reduces packaging line workforce needs. "We mostly package for ourselves and don't tend to co-pack, but we may look into it because our capacity has increased so much," says production and equipment purchasing chief Solomon Schwartz.
  
• Wine barrel packaging reinvented
  
  Posted by Rick Lingle, Technical Editor, May 8, 2013
    The innovative Vinocopia Barrel reinvents the wine barrel concept using a dispensing insert inside an authentic, handcrafted oak barrel to offer a cost effective, shelf-life extending alternative to wine keg systems. Two plug-in versions maintain the proper temperature.
  
• Minister of State (Science & Technology) to open Canadian Advanced Manufacturing Expo on May 14
  
  Posted by Rick Lingle, Technical Editor, May 8, 2013
    The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science & Technology), will open the event, which comprises five expositions: PACKEX (packaging), Plast-Ex (plastics), ATX (automation technology), PTX/PBS (powder and bulk solids process manufacturing) and Design & Manufacturing.
  
• Precision Color Graphics earns patent for certified ‘green' packaging
  
  Posted by Rick Lingle, Technical Editor, May 8, 2013
   

  The Biodegradable Products Institute and the Wisconsin DNR recognize PCG for its commitment to enhanced environment protection provided by biopolymer-lined Ecoterah packaging for multilayer bags and pouches.

  
  
• Guide to Effective Warehouse Design, Maintenance, and Modernization
  
  Posted by Jack Mans, Plant Operations Editor, May 7, 2013
    The Guide to Effective Warehouse Design, Maintenance, and Modernization provides engineers and operators of refrigerated warehouses with design, maintenance and repair guidelines for all major structures in a refrigerated warehouse and the overall physical structure.