Mon, September 01, 2008
FOODSERVICE PAPERBOARD PACKAGING
As published in Grocery Headquarters Magazine
Erik O’Neil, vice president of sales for SOLUT!, explains why clients are embracing SOLUT!’s new paperboard packaging technology.
What’s so special about SOLUT!, and why did the company choose that name?
Erik O’Neil: SOLUT! is all about solutions and problem solving. We wanted to create a brand identity that accurately reflects our unique ability to design and manufacture preformed, corrugated and solid paperboard packaging for clients such as supermarkets, commercial bakeries, food processors, and quick-serve and casual dining restaurants.
SOLUT! is focused on providing creative, cost-effective, functional, and environmentally friendly packaging alternatives to plastic, CPET, and aluminum foil materials. All of SOLUT!’s packaging is paper-based, which is a much more cost-stable raw material relative to the rapidly rising and volatile costs of petroleum-based plastics and energy intensive aluminum foil manufacturing processes. We can squeeze unnecessary process costs from the system by designing custom package sizes and materials to clients’ exact requirements for each application.
How has SOLUT! been able to attract so many major clients?
Our core technology allows us to thermoform corrugated and solid paperboard into a wide range of plates, platters and bakeable trays that meet the ever-changing needs of the foodservice industry. The technology was developed over the past decade in conjunction with Procter & Gamble.
Current clients include: Panera Bread Company, Ruby Tuesday Restaurants, Jack in the Box Restaurants, Whole Foods Market, Johnsonville Sausage, Broadway Foods, Rain Creek Baking and HC Brill among others.
An increasing number of new products being supplied and merchandised in supermarkets and club stores are being introduced in unique and sustainable SOLUT! paperboard packaging, including pre-packed baklava and cookie trays, frozen entrees, fresh and frozen baked goods, and fresh made deli trays and party platters.
How does SOLUT! deliver all-important functionality to clients?
That key product feature begins with SOLUT!’s unique process, which allows us to thermoform corrugated paperboard in such a way that it is strong and ovenable, and can serve as an environmentally-friendly alternative to aluminum and plastic, even in larger format sizes. We also offer extensive capabilities to combine a wide range of unique materials and functional coatings to provide a package with the optimal combination of performance, value and sustainability.
From the in-store bakery to the deli department and beyond, SOLUT!’s paperboard products meet the requirements of even the largest customers while achieving a high level of sustainability that is naturally communicated to the consumer. All of its products are paperboard, which is a truly renewable and recyclable resource, and is clearly recognized by the consumer as being more sustainable than plastic.
In one recent example of SOLUT!’s ability to meet the individual needs of demanding clients, a food processor that was selling frozen entrée items to a club store challenged SOLUT! to design and manufacture a disposable tray that could go from freezer to oven with no extra labor. The tray also had to be rigid enough to hold up to 2 pounds of hot food. It also had to be versatile and communicate the clients’ message of sustainability to consumers.
SOLUT! was able to address all of those client requirements and, once again, separate itself and its foodservice clients from the competition.
How are clients and potential customers responding to SOLUT!’s unique packaging technology?
The response has been outstanding. There is a clear and present need in the marketplace for creative and sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic and foil packaging.
Given the constant and rapid increase of petroleum and energy costs that directly affect plastic and aluminum raw materials, it’s imperative that packaging solutions encompass cost-stable, functional, and renewable materials.
SOLUT! offers a focus on providing cost-effective design solutions to meet the exact requirements of the application. The net result is a total package system that reduces waste, and eliminates unnecessary packaging and process costs.
Find out more about SOLUT!'s paperboard packaging » |
