By Shefali Kapadia A key feature is missing over the Patapsco River in Baltimore. The water still glistens, and cargo ships still pass by on their way in and out of the port. But the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which had spanned the river since 1977, is no longer there. In March, a container ship crashed into oneContinue reading “6 months after Baltimore’s bridge collapse, lessons are emerging for a rebuild”
Tag Archives: report
Can canned food outlast competition from flexible plastic alternatives?
By Shefali Kapadia When Sonoco announced plans to acquire European metal packaging specialist Eviosys in a nearly $4 billion deal this summer, the packaging giant made its intentions clear: It was betting big on metal food cans. At a time when novel materials and formats are proliferating in packaging and food companies rely on innovation to drive sales inContinue reading “Can canned food outlast competition from flexible plastic alternatives?”
Social media-driven redesigns: Lessons from a packaging pickle
By Shefali Kapadia Consumers on social media were loud and clear about their thoughts on Grillo’s Pickles. They loved the pickles, but hated the packaging. Pickle juice leaked or spilled in the refrigerator, and consumers reported hurt fingers or broken nails when opening the lid, according to Eddie Andre, vice president of branding at Grillo’sContinue reading “Social media-driven redesigns: Lessons from a packaging pickle”
Meet America’s Best Banks And Credit Unions In Each State 2024
By Shefali Kapadia Leslie Weist knew she was assuming significant risk when she decided to secure a loan two years ago to construct a new building for her small Ohio-based business, Michael Byrne Manufacturing. So, it was critical to be able to count on the financial institution she chose as her lender. Picking the rightContinue reading “Meet America’s Best Banks And Credit Unions In Each State 2024”
Farmers Aren’t Keeping Up With Oat Milk Demand
By Shefali Kapadia “Oat milk latte!” “Cappuccino with oat milk!” A barista’s voice rises above the clamor of a café, as drinks appear on the counter. Scenes like this play out all across America today, with oat milk rapidly catching up with traditional dairy as a caffeinated beverage staple. The plant-based drink has exploded inContinue reading “Farmers Aren’t Keeping Up With Oat Milk Demand”
SKU rationalization is in. What does that mean for packaging partners?
By Shefali Kapadia When Unilever’s new CEO Hein Schumacher took the helm last summer, he was ready to make sweeping changes to the consumer goods giant. One of these actions was reducing the number of SKUs in Unilever’s portfolio. This process, known as SKU rationalization, eliminates the lowest-margin product versions and sizes to improve profitabilityContinue reading “SKU rationalization is in. What does that mean for packaging partners?”
Trucking companies think outside the box to build brand recognition
By Shefali Kapadia When Sherri Garner Brumbaugh first looked into a NASCAR sponsorship for her trucking company, she wasn’t sure how to make it work. She wondered how a regional carrier would stack up against big national brands like Menards and Lowe’s. “It seemed like such a reach for a company like mine,” said Brumbaugh,Continue reading “Trucking companies think outside the box to build brand recognition”
Energy drinks buzz with new designs and sustainable packaging
By Shefali Kapadia When energy drink manufacturers work with packaging supplier WestRock on projects such as rethinking their multipacks, they have a few requests. “We see the ongoing ask of us as suppliers to do things better, faster, cheaper, more sustainable,” said John Perkins, vice president of global packaging systems at WestRock. It may seemContinue reading “Energy drinks buzz with new designs and sustainable packaging”
At the Panama Canal: Booking slots open up at a waterway on the mend
By Shefali Kapadia Visitors to the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks would have little indication something is amiss. The sun glistens on the water, which appears plentiful in the locks. Ships, carrying everything from containers to petroleum, await their turn. It’s an elegant dance — gates open, tugs pull the ship, water is pumped out andContinue reading “At the Panama Canal: Booking slots open up at a waterway on the mend”
From Coke to Hershey, CPGs search for their sweet spot in pack size
By Shefali Kapadia One pack, two pack, big pack, small pack. While CPG companies’ packaging strategies are far more complex than a Dr. Seuss book, the general principles hold true. As companies adjust or add pack sizes to meet changing consumer preferences, there are new implications from production to recycling. “They’re going to have to makeContinue reading “From Coke to Hershey, CPGs search for their sweet spot in pack size”
SHEFALI KAPADIA 