Every year, the annual Paperboard Packaging Competition celebrates the greatest designs in our industry, but what goes into creating these innovative products? In this virtual event, select winners from the 2023 Competition will reveal the secrets to their successful design process.
From collaboration between design and operations teams, leveraging modern technology and innovative techniques, and solving problems with the customer in mind, this event will cover everything from ideation to delivery. If you’re looking to push the boundaries of what’s possible in paperboard packaging, there’s no better place to learn than directly from your colleagues!
Thank you to our Design & Innovation Sponsor Clearwater Paper Corporation. We value and applaud your commitment to elevating the paperboard packaging industry.
Meet The Presenters
Hilda Murray, Executive VP / Owner
Hilda Murray is the Executive Vice President and Owner of TPC Packaging, a prominent firm based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Beyond her company, Hilda is an active member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Packaging and the PPC, demonstrating her commitment to the industry.
Bob Nickel, VP of Sales, Western America
With 46+ years in the print packaging industry, Bob is TPC’s VP of Sales for the Western region of America. Prior to his current role, his past experiences in technical sales support, plant management and green field startups, have afforded vast intake of knowledge in all areas of print manufacturing. His current passion for sustainable offset and digital print includes the innovation to embellish packaging across many consumer requirements from folding cartons, rigid boxes and various forms of entertainment. He has been employed in the industry with four different organizations and has traveled the world to globally seek his goals for new innovations and insight for change management w/o being too disruptive. His passion for Customer engagement for sustainable innovation are his most recent goals.
Dan Ahern, Senior Director of Global Innovation and Design
Graphic Packaging International
As the Senior Director, Global Innovation and Design at Graphic Packaging International, Dan is responsible for the overall creative direction and the implementation of the innovation process across the globe for GPI. His perspective is that of the client, having gained tremendous experience as a design leader in the design agency space.
Dan has 30+ years’ experience in the packaging industry with extensive experience in Package Design, Brand Design, and Design Management. During the course of his career, Dan has had the privilege of working with many of today’s leading brands.
Additionally, Dan is a frequent speaker on the topics of design as competitive advantage, design trends, consumer trends and insights, and the future of packaging.
Jamie Shimizu, Designer
Jamie has over 30 years of experience in structural, product, and graphic design, working for both packing suppliers as well as consumer product companies.
Jamie has a passion for all things design and technology related, especially 3D rendering and photography.
Check Out The Winning Designs
Package of the Year
WestRock Company
WhistlePig Whiskey Piggybank
We all have fond memories of saving up change to spend on candy at the corner store. With the WhistlePig Piggybank folding carton, WestRock has taken this nostalgic trop and instead put the treat inside of the package – and this time, it’s something for the adults.
The bespoke packaging, comprising a removable lid and secure base holds the unique pig-shaped glass bottle while a sleek black sleeve with precisely cut windows accentuates the bottle’s graphic design. Foil stamping adds a touch of luxury to make the carton stand out even more on the shelf. Ecological Fibers, Inc‘s Rainbow Eggshell Antique paperboard for the lid and base, along with Neenah Classic Crest Epic Black Smooth Cover for the sleeve, were chosen for their tactile quality and premium finish.
During the converting process, careful attention was paid to aligning die-cuts, graphics, and foil stamping. Approximately 8,000 of these premium packages were produced, making this limited run a true collector’s luxury item. WestRock’s commitment to detail and structural innovation is apparent immediately, making the WhistlePig Piggybank carton a prime example of premium packaging that ensures a memorable unboxing experience.
Sustainability of the Year
Graphic Packaging International, LLC
Unilever Skip Laundry Detergent Capsules
In the laundry detergent aisle, Graphic Packaging International’s Unilever Skip Laundry Detergent Capsule carton is a pillar of sustainability in a sea of plastic tub packaging. This forward-thinking packaging aligns with Unilever’s Clean Future initiative, focusing on sustainability in product formulation and packaging while promoting their brand identity. Crafted from 100% recyclable materials, the cartons feature GT4 ESK Fully Sized FSC from Smurfit Kappa for the lid and KR CrownBoard Craft 460g FSC from Billerud for the base.
The design showcases a user-friendly opening mechanism that is both childproof and easily accessible for adults. Preventing accidental access while eliminating plastic was a priority that took innovative design to achieve. In addition, an intelligent folding process and absorbent pad provide reliability and moisture resistance; the cartons can be used on high-speed packing lines; and, unlike plastic tubs, they can be efficiently stacked. The cartons also offer ample space for marketing and safety messages and can billboard sustainability efforts effectively.
Unilever’s Life Cycle Assessment demonstrates a minimum 20% lower carbon footprint compared to previous plastic packaging, aligning with Unilever’s sustainability goals and preventing over 6,000 tons of plastic waste annually. GPI’s solution combines functionality, sustainability, and brand excellence, setting a new standard for detergent packaging.
Rigid Box of the Year
TPC Printing and Packaging
Hardins Creek Clermont Tube
At first glance and even upon further inspection, it is hard to believe that the Hardin’s Creek Clermont Tube from TPC Printing and Packaging isn’t made from metal. For this project, TPC was specifically tasked with finding a sustainable and economical replacement for the previous tin tube packaging. TPC’s proprietary tube rolling process eliminates the need for additional materials beyond the lid, aligning perfectly with the customer’s goals.
To replicate the look of metal, the rigid tube was printed on 20pt MPE metalized poly board, achieving an eye-catching appearance. The team’s expertise in ink matching to foil, combined with precise coatings, transformed paperboard into a unique alternative to metal containers. This innovative tube solution offers an alternative to traditional tin packaging that retains the exact look and aesthetic of metal.
TPC Packaging’s Hardin’s Creek Clermont Tube offers a sustainable, cost-effective, and visually striking solution, proving that innovative packaging can meet both customer objectives and environmental goals.
How To Register
Register on PPC’s new Member Portal. Follow the instructions below.
Please enter your email address into the Find Me field below. If your email is in our database, it will auto-populate with your first and last name. If your email is NOT in our database, you will receive a message that reads Looks like you’re new here! Continue by filling out the information below. Please fill in your first and last name, and proceed with registration. Once you have registered, we will add you to our Member Portal, and you will receive an email inviting you to create your account.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@paperbox.org or call us at 413-686-9191. We are available Monday–Friday from 8:00 am–5:00 pm ET.
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