It's been quite a buzzworthy week as packaging has taken over the airwaves—well, maybe not quite as dramatic as Queen's lyrics suggest, but it certainly made some waves. Packaging might not immediately come to mind when discussing global issues, but it plays a critical role in addressing many of today's pressing concerns.

First off, let’s talk about B2B (business-to-business) companies that deal with product sales. Many B2B operations revolve around services or consultancy programs, operating on a completely different level compared to e-commerce. Our own online business functions on the premise that purchasing packaging is essentially a functional transaction, which means we miss out on the personal interactions that most B2B companies enjoy.

On Wednesday, 21st May, our Managing Partner Gavin Ashe appeared on BBC C&W to discuss a recent news story involving Mellor and Anderson, two individuals who committed multiple fraudulent offenses in 2012—one of which impacted our business. Back in May 2012, these scammers stole over £3,000 worth of packaging goods from us, prompting us to go on the radio for the first time to address the situation. Following the initial broadcast, a thorough investigation ensued, and we returned to Annie Othen’s show this week to announce that the two criminals had been sentenced. For those interested, you can read more about the case in our press release.

Annie Othen spoke to Gavin about a recent resolved fraud case

[Source: www.bbc.co.uk]

Annie, as always, was an excellent host, asking Gavin how the case had influenced our operational practices. The incident has made us significantly more cautious when processing credit accounts and setting credit limits. As an employee-owned company, any theft directly affects all of us, so we take such incidents very personally. Naturally, we also expressed our gratitude to the station and Annie herself for helping to bring attention to the original story and encouraging public interest, which helped push the case forward.

You can listen to the full interview below:

Moving on to a more national scale, Radio 4 featured its usual 'In Business' program on Thursday, 22nd May, hosted by the inquisitive and insightful Peter Day. The program delved into several key issues within the packaging industry, particularly concerning the environment. The packaging sector often faces criticism regarding excessive waste, but the program managed to present a balanced argument, showcasing how packaging businesses are continuously innovating to develop more sustainable products.

Packaging companies are constantly scrutinized for the waste they produce

Peter visited Robert Opie, the founder of Brands, Packaging, and Advertising, to trace the concept of branding back to the Victorian era when mass production began to flourish. Manufacturers realized they needed individual packaging to prevent grocers from tampering with their products, which allowed them to boost profits by adding extra weight. Thus, branded, individually packaged items ensured food could be sold directly from shelves without being tampered with.

Modern-day packaging was also examined during the program, where Peter toured the factory floor of the Benson Group, one of the largest suppliers of cartons for the food industry. Speaking with Helen, the Marketing Manager, about the environment and packaging, it was noted that 10% of a product’s carbon footprint comes from its packaging. Reducing packaging’s environmental impact involves not just cutting down that 10%, but also protecting the remaining 90% by creating materials that, when used correctly by consumers, can minimize environmental harm. This delicate balance, according to Helen, is about "using our resources effectively to manage waste in the first place."

Collaborative efforts between packaging companies, brand owners, and governments have led to innovative ways of marketing products while minimizing waste. Lisa Carroll, Director of Technology at Rexam, discussed aluminum innovations, including work on an aluminum bottle that requires four times as many processes as standard can manufacturing. Describing it as an "engineering wonder," Lisa emphasized how such innovations contribute to creating more sustainable products with less environmental impact. Last year, Rexam reduced the weight of each can by 0.1 grams, resulting in a savings of 6,000 tonnes annually—a testament to how even small changes can make a significant difference.

Peter Day spoke to Benson and Rexam about sustainable packaging innovations

Consumer behavior has also played a crucial role in shaping the packaging industry. Recycling programs across councils mean that six out of ten cans are now recycled annually, and consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of their purchases. Consumer behavior is a key influencer in the packaging industry as a whole. Grant Montague of Perception Research Services noted that although consumers may claim packaging isn't important to them, it often is, especially in terms of their trust in the product and whether they believe it will be adequately protected. While consumers may criticize "excessive packaging," Grant pointed out that people can be deterred by packaging that appears insufficiently robust or protective.

Kite's Enviro range has been designed to tackle the problem of packaging waste

These issues have naturally influenced how Kite Packaging operates as well. We've focused on specific product lines, making small yet impactful changes to improve their environmental efficiency. Examples include removing the cardboard core from our pallet wrap, reducing the cardboard core size of our tape by 60% to create Envirotape, and using heavy-duty single-wall cardboard instead of double-wall to produce our Enviroboxes.

If you missed it, you can listen to the full 30-minute program on the BBC website here.

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