Graphic Packaging Global Innovation Centre exceeds expectations in first six months

The £500,000 centre in Bardon, Leicestershire, UK, allows its packaging design teams to work on projects for food and beverage customers and transform the way it is developed and produced in Europe.

PackWorks system, Zund S3 M800 plotters

Nikki Clark, marketing manager, Graphic Packaging International, told BakeryandSnacks, the investment was conceived as being forward-thinking not just in terms of the buildings and equipment, but to give the brightest people working in the industry the space and tools that allow their creativity to flourish.

“The investment in the centre, machinery and new team has been an outstanding success​,” she said.

“With the development of our market research resources, we can now fully understand the market sector, shopper demographic and shopper mission for each of our customer’s products – and can offer in-house consumer testing to find out first-hand how consumers react to new pack designs​.”

The centre works alongside the company’s GIC at Atlanta and Chicago, a Design Studio in Leeds, UK, testing kitchen facility at Igualada in Spain and an R&D Centre in Colorado.

At the UK launch, Helene Roberts, marketing, design and innovation director, Europe, Graphic Packaging International, ​said equipment included a PackWorks system, Zund S3 M800 plotters and Roland UV printer.

She said the 3D printer can mock up plastic components enabling designers to broaden the capabilities of its carton packs.

Carton packaging concepts

One example is the food-to-go range “Delilicious” consisting of 14 carton packaging concepts, seven of which are registered as unique designs.

Products range from the traditional sandwich and wrap packs to more futuristic concepts of picnic sharing and hybrid foods such as lasagne wontons.

The creation of the collection followed research into the food-to-go market via a customer insight and retail analysis project.

This gave the design team a view of the swift growth of the market and how future trends were likely to shape demand, said the firm.

‘PackWorks’, a workflow system for management of design and graphic services.

The system allows the design teams to manage carton asset libraries for customers and control their database of profiles.

Selected concepts are evaluated for machinery, manufacturing and pricing across all locations. At this stage mock ups are created, featuring print, finishes and effects on different substrates, representing the finished product.

Representatives from Graphic Packaging International  GIC will be attending Packaging Innovations at the NEC Birmingham, UK from February 24-25, 2016.