The Flexible Packaging Blog
Reviews, trends, and tips covering all things flexible packaging to protect your products and your bottom line.
Packaging Materials | The Business of Packaging | Food Packaging
By:
Nathan Dube
November 3rd, 2020
There have been many industries hit hard by the pandemic. "Non-essential" businesses of many kinds have had to shut down for weeks, sometimes months on end. And while various different types of businesses have taken a hit during 2020, the restaurant industry was hit particularly hard. Initially, many restaurants were completely shut down. Then various states began staged re-openings across the country. But restrictions and limitations were imposed on the already struggling restaurant industry as it attempted to regain some of the losses that they had accrued. Once back open, most eateries were limited to lower capacities based upon state laws. Even with re-opening opportunities, many dining institutions saw a dramatic decrease in attendance. And while this situation proved quite challenging for this section of the food industry, it was quite another story for others. For example, with many former patrons of restaurants choosing to stay home and cook rather than go out for a night on the town, many supermarkets experienced a massive boost to normal business. Necessities such as food and toiletries in particular flew off store shelves at a rapid pace. And while pre-made or serve-yourself items such as hot-food or salad bars were shut down, pre-packaged foods, particularly frozen foods, ultimately saw a huge boost in sales. This resulted in many supermarkets having to stock up more than usual in an effort to meet the demands of the supply chain. And the story was no different when the pandemic met HEB supermarkets. And while the HEB team was more than happy to work hard to meet the rising demand, they took notice of their fellow food industry professionals in the restaurant scene. And that is when HEB supermarkets stepped up to help out their fellow foodie friends and help them to make ends meet. In this article, we will explore this wonderful story about people helping people and how a kind gesture was able to help some restaurants to stay afloat while they battle COVID.
Working At Industrial Packaging
By:
Karen McQueen, Human Resources Administrator
October 29th, 2020
When it comes to the hiring process, the team at Industrial Packaging pays close attention to the questions we are asked by potential new employees. Besides asking about pay, there are some other important questions we are asked that give candidates a sense of what our company is all about. It’s important for us to have a great interview process and to be as transparent with candidates along the way. That’s why it’s critical that we openly and honestly address the four most commonly asked questions from candidates in this article. The reality is that not every candidate that applies for a position here will enjoy working for Industrial Packaging or be a good company culture fit. By reading this article, you’ll have a much better understanding of Industrial Packaging as an employer and be able to see if it’s even worth applying for a role.
By:
Nathan Dube
October 27th, 2020
If your business has a packaging line or a shipping department, you probably go through a lot of stretch wrap (also known as stretch film). If you are starting a new business and are preparing to build out your packaging line and a shipping department, you will be using stretch film when you are up and running. One of the most common questions we get from start-up businesses, and even some seasoned veterans is, what is the difference between hand stretch film and machine stretch wrap? If you are using exclusively human labor for stretch wrapping, you will need to use hand stretch wrap. If, on the other hand, you want to automate or semi-automate the process, you will need to run some form of stretch wrapper, which requires machine stretch film. Industrial Packaging has helped thousands of clients identify the appropriate type of stretch film for their packaging and palletizing needs. This article will explore the differences between hand stretch film and machine stretch wrap (also called machine stretch film) and help you choose the right option for your packaging line and palletizing operations.
By:
David Connolly, Plant Manager
October 22nd, 2020
Many headwinds are currently challenging all facets of manufacturing. The current pandemic has forced many workplace changes, including the physical facility, limited available workforce, and new regulatory requirements. How can businesses learn to deal with these challenges and yet still seek and accept new business opportunities? We believe that this path starts with taking care of the people providing the service for these new business ventures. With over 65 years in business and thousands upon thousands of happy clients, we have a proven track record of success in dealing with challenges as they arise and meeting them head on with the ability to turn them into opportunities for growth. In this article, we will explain how we helped to build quality teams of happy people who, in turn, allow for the ability for Industrial Packaging to grow better.
Packaging Materials | Environment | The Business of Packaging | Packaging Design
By:
Nathan Dube
October 20th, 2020
As the tumultuous and dare I say downright disruptive year of 2020 winds to a close, the packaging industry is looking at some very interesting trends as we head towards the new year. While there are some hot-button trends that remain from 2020 as we head into the first quarter of 2021 (such as sustainability and environmentally minded packaging materials), there are some huge new packaging opportunities that have come out of the pandemic. For example, the video game industry is experiencing a meteoric expansion of growth as gamers have spent more time at home playing video games and many new gamers are just beginning to experiment with the joy of gaming to pass the time while in quarantine or semi-mandated stay at home orders. More gaming = more opportunities for video game packaging applications. Then, we have the ever-growing expansion of eCommerce purchasing. Purchasing online was already steadily rising prior to the arrival of this pandemic. But it has only grown exponentially more than expected as a byproduct of the virus. Food packaging (particularly frozen food packaging) has also seen a massive growth spurt. More consumers are buying larger quantities of groceries either in person or via online driven delivery services. It’s a lot to keep up with. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the top packaging trends for 2021 so that you are set up to succeed in the new year.
Equipment | The Business of Packaging | Fulfillment
By:
Nathan Dube
October 15th, 2020
On the day of installing a pallet wrapper in your warehouse, a lot is going on. Old machinery needs to be shut down, decommissioned, and removed from your warehouse. At the same time, the new equipment must be delivered, set-up, and installed. Having helped thousands of companies purchase and install new pallet wrappers, Industrial Packaging is able to ensure that even the most complicated installations go smoothly and without error. In this article, we will break down everything you should expect and be prepared for when the day of installation of your new pallet wrapper arrives.