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A recession proof package?
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Bosch Packaging Technology - 11/18/2009
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It is a general assumption that an eco-
nomic downturn leads to less consump-
tion. However, this isn’t necessarily true
for all areas and, in the last six months,
the global retail industry has reported an
increase in sales in the food and bever-
age sector. For example, UK figures for
January 2009 show that food and drink
sales were up 5.1 percent, compared
with the same period in 20081.
Many food and beverage products are
widely regarded as being ‚recession
proof‘, or even ‚recession fuelled‘2;
including bread, canned food, frozen and
fresh produce and even confectionery.
Demand for these products is also
fuelled by a reluctance to eat out – part
of a ‚recessionary mindset‘ that leads to
increased home consumption.
However, challenges lie ahead for the
packaging market. Whilst food demand
is comparatively unaffected, consumer
purchasing behavior is undergoing a
marked shift and food consumers
have new priorities. For instance, the
sustainability aspect provides a great
opportunity for the packaging industry
and the Grocery Manufacturers Associa-
tion (GMA) President, Pamela Bailey, has
stated that, “companies reporting on
effort in sustainability are substantially
outperforming those who don‘t”3.
Technologies such as ultrasonic sealing
enable brand owners to respond intelli-
gently to consumer demands. Such seal-
ing allows the use of less material due
to, for instance, shorter seals. One of the
biggest contributions towards a more
environment friendly behavior is offering
products in different packaging sizes and
styles, in order to reduce food waste.
Modular and flexible machine design
gives brand owners enough flexibility to
react quickly and cost-effectively.
Separating the good from the common
These trends play out in the marketplace
through increased competition amongst
the suppliers of brand owners. In this
respect, one of the beneficiaries of new
consumer behaviors has been large
supermarkets and, in this competitive
environment, brands must have a visual
means of conveying their added value.
Product packaging and shelf appeal
comes to the fore and there is a real
opportunity for brands to revitalize their
product lines and capture new market
share through innovative packaging.
Flexible packaging solutions, such as
bags and pouches, are also increasingly
in demand. They are convenient, fun,
eye-catching and transportable, offering
consumers greater value for money.
Assuming these trends will remain, the
challenge in horizontal and vertical
flexible packaging will be to increase
automation during food processing and
packaging.
In the fast-changing global marketplace,
quick response times are vital for the fu-
ture growth of brands. Whether stream-
lining or expanding portfolios, food com-
panies are taking their own individual
approaches to new market challenges.
A future save package for brand owners
can be innovative packaging styles and
machinery as well as enough flexibility
to react to markets demands quickly
and cost-effectively. The big challenge
for technology companies is therefore to
make innovations marketable, ready for
mass production and highly adaptable
in order to react to markets demands
quickly and cost-effectively.
For more information please contact
Ulrike Probst
Phone +41 52 674 8053
ulrike.probst@bosch.com
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| Empresa: |
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Bosch Packaging Technology |
| WEB: |
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http://www.boschpackaging.com |
| Direccion: |
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8700 Wyoming Ave. N.
City: Minneapolis |
| Tel: |
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763-424-4700 |
| Zip: |
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55445 |
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