PTI Playing Role In Beer Store Announcement

Major Announcement!!!!

We are very excited about the recent announcement from the Beer Store and the role that PTI will play in this major development!

Packaging Technologies Inc. understands the important role that packaging plays in brand identity and recognition. As a leader in the supply of high impact corrugated packaging to the beer industry, we are the experts in the Beer Store packaging specifications. With this new opportunity for Ontario-based brewers to participate in the management of the Beer Store and the unveiling of the new small brewer benefit package, PTI Inc. can guide you through the process with ease to introduce your brand  at the Beer Store! Check out what our customers are saying about us: http://youtu.be/20gqd60UOeQ.

Press Release: Major Announcement From The Beer Store

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT: 

Beer Store opens ownership to all Ontario-based brewers; New small brewer benefits package unveiled

Broadening ownership provides an Ontario-wide solution

TORONTO, Jan. 7, 2015 /CNW/ - The Beer Store has announced that, effective immediately, ownership is being opened up to all Ontario-based brewers large and small.

In a major announcement today, the Beer Store's current owners said opening ownership makes sense for Ontario brewers and consumers. It helps the retail network continue to offer a low-cost advantage and continues to enable brewers to independently set the lowest average beer prices in Canada, while also supporting award-winning environmental stewardship and a world-class responsible sale program.

"Today marks a new era for the Beer Store. We heard from Ontario brewers that they wanted to participate in the management of the Beer Store and contribute to its future success. That's why we're opening up the system and making it even more transparent," said Stewart Glendinning, CEO of Molson Coors Canada.

"The Beer Store is truly becoming Ontario-owned. Ontario brewers will be represented on the Board and share in decision-making. All owners will have the same or better costs to sell in the Beer Store than the current owners," said Labatt Breweries Canada President Jan Craps.

John Sleeman, Chairman and Founder of Sleeman Breweries said, "We welcome and support the direction of the changes being announced today.  These will help improve the transparency and openness of The Beer Store for all Ontario brewers, including Sleeman, and will allow our input into the evolution of the system."

Also announced were new benefits to further improve access for small Ontario-based brewers.

Small Ontario brewers (who sell fewer than 1 million litres/year at the Beer Store) will pay no listing fee when stocking two of their products at the five Beer Store locations closest to their brewery, increasing the selection of locally-brewed beer for consumers in communities across the province.

Beyond those five stores, small brewers will be able to list the same two products at any additional Beer Store location at reduced listing fees, paying only the per-store fee. This will encourage additional small brewer listings at the Beer Store, enhancing the ability of those brewers to grow their businesses, while also offering wider selection to Ontario consumers.

Small brewers have also asked for the ability to introduce seasonal brands throughout the year. Today, the Beer Store announced that it will implement this change.  Brewers can swap out a new or existing brand listing and replace it with a seasonal brand twice a year at no additional cost.

"We listened and we acted. The Beer Store is a great beer retail system.  Today we're taking new steps to make it even better", said Beer Store president Ted Moroz. "As a result of these changes all Ontario brewers will be able to participate in the management of the company and the smallest Ontario brewers will get improved opportunities to grow their sales volumes at a significantly reduced cost."

Moroz said that at the same time as considerable media debate about the Beer Store had been taking place in recent months, Beer Store officials had been quietly working behind the scenes on how to reshape the shareholder agreement and make the Beer Store even more open and transparent.

Under the new ownership structure larger Beer Store owners (annual Beer Store sales over 5 million litres/year) will pay the exact same fees as the current owners to sell their beer in the Beer Store.  Smaller brewers (Beer Store sales under 5 million litres/year) will pay discounted fees as they will not be required to fund certain costs relating to capital investment in new stores or pension and benefits plans.

As always, any brewer can sell in the Beer Store and brewers will continue to independently set their own prices in a highly competitive environment that keeps prices low for Ontario consumers. These facts will not change.  

New owners are being welcomed into the Beer Store at a nominal cost: Ontario-based brewers with Beer Store sales under 5 million litres/year a year will pay $100 and receive a Preferred Share in the company; those with sales over 5 million litres/year will pay $1,000 and also receive a Preferred Share.

About the Beer Store

The Beer Store offers customers 490 brands, provided by 105 brewers. Approximately 1-in-4 brands come from small Canadian brewers. It is a completely open system that allows any brewer in the world to sell their brands in any store they choose. The Beer Store is deeply committed to responsible sale and not selling to minors and people who are intoxicated.  More than 3.6 million customers were challenged in 2013 alone. It is also one of the greenest retailers in the world and collected more than 1.7 billion beer bottles in 2012-2013 (a 92 per cent return rate) and 300 million wine and spirit containers (a 80 per cent return rate). The Beer Store Employs 7,000 hard-working Ontarians with well-paying full and part-time jobs. 

-Bill Walker, 416-624-3936, bill@midtownpr.com

Premium Custom Packaging - What We’ve Learned From 2014

Happy New Year everyone! It is 2015 now and that means forward thinking for the months ahead. This also means keeping in mind all of the things we learned in 2014 and implementing these new trends and best practices for the future. For example, last November we attended the annual PackEx conference, Montreal’s leading resource for networking and knowledge about the latest equipment, newest technologies and best new materials and processes in the packaging industry.

Attending events such as this one not only gave us access to this new information, it also really helped to reinforce and cement the knowledge that the methods and practices PTI employs on a regular basis are here to stay. We are always focused on staying ahead of the curve to give you the best possible end result.

Here are some of the things we took home from such events:

Cutting Edge Technology: Flexoprint pre-print is not new in the packaging industry, but when it comes to custom product packaging it is the best. It creates high quality print graphics at a cost effective price point - demonstrating the quality of your product before a consumer even opens the box. The use of high quality inks and our advanced colour management system means that we can print up to 150 line screen graphics on a variety of liner boards.

Sustainability: A focus on the manufacturing process and how it impacts the environment has long been a concern for the entire PTI team. And for us sustainability isn’t just about the end product, it is about the entire process. From a design that maximizes structural support and minimizes material, to the reuse of all unnecessary materials when the process is complete, we ensure a much smaller carbon footprint.

Newest trends: staying current sometimes means change, and coming into this year the biggest trends are with design and structure. Things like colour psychology, or the choice of colour and how it impacts a consumer’s emotions has become a major factor. Simplicity and function are also major players - encompassing not only the look of your packaging but also the package itself. The newest and most efficient materials are helping to reduce costs at both the manufacturing stage and the shipping stage.

At Packaging Technologies Inc., we are committed to providing you with the most innovative, creative and sustainable product packaging designs out there. We’ve taken what works best from 2014 and applied it to our 2015 strategies - meaning you get only the best. Call us today for more info at 1-800-303-5883.

The Year Ahead: Creative Packaging Trends 2015

We are getting close to the end of the year, and that means it is time to make our annual predictions for the year ahead. 2014 was a big year in the packaging industry, both as far as new, emerging trends and the continued importance of some old-time players.

Check out our list for creative packaging trends for 2015!

Multi-function. Is your box just a box, or does it also serve a unique purpose? One of the coolest trends in creative packaging right now is functionality. Packaging that serves as more than just a container has become the leader – have you thought about ways in which your product packaging serves more than one purpose? If not, it might be time to start!

Innovative Design. Along the same lines as our multi-function trend, the trend that sees your packaging stand out thanks to an innovative and unique design is also receiving a lot of positive attention. A great way to differentiate yourself is by leveraging the knowledge and ideas of a packaging company with the experience required to carry off a packaging design that doesn’t look like everything else on the shelf.  

Sustainability. This is one for the ages. Not a new concept – but one that continues to grow in importance, especially as far as the consumer is concerned. It is no surprise that consumers are more concerned than ever with earth conscious materials, and so ensuring that your packaging is eco-friendly is essential. But it goes even farther than that. Now it isn’t just the end product that needs to be recyclable – the entire manufacturing process needs to be done with sustainability in mind. A packaging manufacturer that is committed to the smallest carbon footprint possible, one with a focus on the environment and maximizing usage while reducing waste, will really get you noticed.

Digital Revolution. Not only has online shopping become a huge source of competition in the consumer packaged goods industry, digital has created competition when it comes to in-store displays and product packaging. This can be something as complex as digital marketing on your POP display to something as simple as QR codes on all packages. And although QR codes may seem like ‘so 2014’, in actuality it seems as though this simple bridge between print and digital isn’t going anywhere. It is an effective way to encourage further exploration of your brand – and a great way to increase interest.

2015 is set to be another big year in the packaging industry, and staying ahead of the curve by adopting the most recent packaging trends is the only way to remain competitive.

For more about creative packaging trends that will make a difference please contact Packaging Technologies Inc. today at 1-800-303-5883.

Happy Holidays from Packaging Technologies Inc!

It is that time of year again!  The gifts are wrapped, the turkey is waiting in the freezer, and all the fixings are ready for the table. Friends and family will gather together this week to celebrate the season, and ring in 2015.

At Packaging Technologies Inc., we are getting ready for an exciting start to the New Year, but we also want to take a moment to say thank you everyone for such a wonderful 2014! This has been a fantastic year for us, and we hope that it has been for you as well!

We wish you all the best this holiday season and a healthy and happy 2015!

Happy Holidays!

Automotive Product Packaging: PTI at AAPEX 2014

Back in November, members of the Packaging Technologies team headed to Las Vegas for some fun in the sun and to take in everything that was the annual Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo – an amazing 3 day event featuring the latest and greatest trends in the global aftermarket auto parts industry.

According to the Expo’s organizers, “service professionals attend AAPEX every year for the opportunity to see the newest products and latest technology, gain industry knowledge and management tips and network with industry leaders” – and we wholeheartedly agree! Many of our clients deal in aftermarket auto parts, and as such we are committed to staying in touch and up-to-date with what is going on in the industry in order to provide the best possible service.

Here are some of the great things we took from the Expo, as far as what objectives should be considered in winning package design:

Economics: The best material and design need to be used to create the maximum graphic representation and structural strength required for a project to not only be effective, but economic as well. The newest technology needs to be utilized to help maintain the most cost-effective campaign possible.

Environmental Impact: Sustainability is becoming increasingly important, and the entire design and manufacturing process should reflect this concern for the environment. In what ways does the manufacturing process reduce the environmental impact? Water-based inks, environmentally friendly energy sources, recycled waste – these all contribute to improving the entire process. Also, how does the design optimize smart shipping and fossil fuel reduction?

Innovation: Does the design create a disruption in the traditional marketing landscape? Are we bringing a new design to the market that hasn’t been seen before? And innovation isn’t just about the package design – we are also talking about ease of assembly and the use of new materials. Can we be innovative when it comes to marketing, helping customers stand out on the shelf?

These are major considerations that help us to target our campaigns from the very beginning, allowing you to get the absolute most from your creative automotive product packaging.

For more about AAPEX or product packaging for your automotive goods, please contact Packaging Technologies Inc. today by calling 1-800-303-5883.

Omni Channel Marketing – A Revolution in Retail Marketing

Anyone operating within the retail sphere, especially in the consumer packaged goods industry, knows that competition is intense – now more so than ever. Your need to increase sales and draw in new, loyal customers, is as strong as ever – but so too is your competitor’s. Innovative retailers are adopting a variety of new and trending methods for point of sale – and the popularity of omni channel marketing has grown exponentially.

What do we mean by omni channel marketing? Rather than adhering to one or two main avenues for exposure, those companies now turning to omni channel marketing are employing a variety of different marketing tactics, including innovative and creative packaging, eye-catching point of purchase displays, various forms of in-store marketing, even catalogs and print. 

A recent Shopper Engagement Study done by POPAI, the Global Association for Marketing at Retail, found a wealth of evidence to back this up! Their research found that, even with the growth of online marketing, in-store purchases are at an all-time high.

In the printing/packaging world, this growth is clearly visible in the numbers:

-       The business of printing for indoor point-of-sale/point-of-purchase signage generates $37 billion globally.

-       Inkjet is the predominant print technology in POS/POP, with almost 13 billion in revenue, and flexography is also growing in popularity ($2.6 billion).

-       Print is changing – a decline in traditional brochure production has been countered by an increase in interest in POS/POP and specialty catalogs and books.

-       Spontaneity - impulse buys are not just influenced by price – POP displays have been shown to be a huge motivating factor when it comes to making unplanned purchases (up to 24%).

If you are thinking about adopting an omni channel approach to your marketing strategy, what should you be thinking about?

-       Creativity – thinking outside the box, going against the grain –these are great ways to ensure that your marketing stands out. This is critical when it comes to both your product packaging and POP marketing.

-       Emotional connections can be a huge boon when it comes to creating interest, especially with a POP display.

-       Tech savvy – integrating technology into your marketing is also another sure way to gain the attention of potential customers.

Omni channel marketing is something that presents real value –but you have to go about it the right way. As mentioned, creativity has become essential, but quality is also key.

At Packaging Technologies Inc., we know that staying ahead of the competition is critical in the consumer packaged goods industry, and we have the means and the experience to ensure that your omni channel marketing strategy goes off without a hitch.

For more about PTI or how we can help you adjust and adopt the newest food packaging trends, call us today at 1-800-303-5883.