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Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce
January 30, 2014
3 Min Read
.svg?width=850&auto=webp&quality=95&format=jpg&disable=upscale "Motor oil debuts in spouted pouch")
Universal Lubricant Eco Ultra motor oil
Officials with the 2012 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) have awarded Universal Lubricants, the manufacturer and distributor of one the world's most advanced motor oils, the 2012 New Packaging Award for Innovation. The award was presented to Universal Lubricants during an AAPEX awards ceremony on Mon., Oct. 29, in Las Vegas where the Eco Ultra 1-quart FlexPak made its debut.As the nation's first retail motor oil packaged in a sustainable, flexible stand-up pouch, the Eco Ultra FlexPak sets a new standard in U.S. motor oil packaging. Compared to conventional hard plastic bottles, the new durable, lightweight FlexPak is made with 25 percent less material, and offers consumers a faster, easier and cleaner way to change their oil. It also gives retailers and installers a unique opportunity to offer their customers a high-performance product in an environmentally responsible package.
"Packaging our high performance motor oil, manufactured with re-refined base oil, in flexible pouches is what we call eco-innovation," says John Wesley, CEO of Universal Lubricants. "The FlexPak's ease of use and environmental benefits make it good news for service centers, retailers and consumers. We're thrilled that the AAPEX New Packaging Showcase has recognized this significant step forward in motor oil packaging."
The 2012 New Packaging Showcase award winners reflect the highest standards in packaging design set by the Institute of Packaging Professionals. Ben Miyares, president of the Packaging Management Institute, judged this year's entries on five criteria:
1. The package demonstrates an application of a "new idea" or a creative use of existing ideas.
2. It makes use of new design, material or technique.
3. The package successfully transfers packaging principles from other industries.
4. It reflects important new marketing strategies.
5. The package reflects new manufacturing advances.
Eco Ultra Synthetic Blend Motor Oil is made from high-quality re-refined base stocks and blended with premium performance additives. It has been the choice of many installers, service centers and fleet companies across the country for more than three years.
Universal Lubricants has partnered with Atlanta-based Star Packaging Corp., which produces the tough, three-layer Eco Ultra FlexPak, and the Innovative Packaging Network, which engineered the pour-spout that prevents the traditional glugs and bubbles from bottles that cause splatters and spills. Being introduced in the 1-quart size, the Eco Ultra FlexPak is constructed using a polyethylene barrier that provides superior burst and seal strengths required for the rigors of oil. A larger, 5.1-quart FlexPak will be available next year.
Brian Votaw, business development manager at Star Packaging, says, "Flexible plastic containers are today's hottest packaging trend. American consumers are most familiar with plastic packs in householdcleaning products and in food and beverage containers. Initial research shows that mechanics and service technicians prefer the FlexPak to the bottle and we believe consumers will too."
Eco Ultra currently is available for sale in 1-quart FlexPaks on Amazon.com and at selected installers and service centers throughout the U.S. For more information and to order, visit ecoultraoil.com or call 800.444.OILS.
AAPEX represents the $395 billion global motor vehicle aftermarket and is jointly sponsored by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Assn. (AASA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Assn. (AAIA).
Source: AAPEX
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