LINPAC Packaging gave fascinating insights into emerging global trends affecting the food supply chain and its related sectors during its recent series of Fresh! European Packaging Seminars held in five European countries.
During the autumn, delegates attended a series of events in Warsaw, Madrid, Birmingham, Paris and Frankfurt.
The Fresh! European Packaging Seminars brought together experts from industry and academic institutions to present the latest thinking on packaging and how the sector will be affected by the changing social, economic, political and technological landscape.
Speakers included David Smith, futurist and Chief Executive of Global Futures and Foresight, LINPAC Packaging’s Jo Stephenson, Vice-President of Marketing and Innovation, plus Alan Davey, the company’s Director of Innovation. Research specialists from the Plasma Institute, based at the University of York in the UK, and representatives from the global plastics industry, spoke about technological advancements in materials and how they will revolutionise applications for food manufacturers and packaging companies.
David Smith told delegates how businesses have to respond to changing populations, changing consumer behaviour, new communication tools and global competition. He said: “The challenges facing our industry are tremendous and the changes that need to happen are vast. In the supply chain sector we need to be ahead of the game and be aware of what is happening around us on a global scale.
“We need to change our attitude to the future if our companies are to survive. Surviving recession is good but simply having a survival strategy takes you nowhere. If you don’t know why you are surviving, if nothing changes, then there is really no point... We have to change the way we do things to be successful long-term.”
Delegates at the seminars included representatives from major supermarket chains throughout Europe, large multinational packing companies and a variety of suppliers of LINPAC Packaging.
Jo Stephenson of LINPAC Packaging gave a presentation on innovation in packaging and how LINPAC was responding to the challenges outlined by David Smith. She said that by embracing new design and technology, packers and retailers could gain significant competitive advantage.
She added: “The seminars have been fantastic. The feedback we have received from attendees has been extremely positive. They have provided an opportunity for businesses to share ideas and discuss issues affecting them during these volatile economic times. It has also allowed us to offer our perspective on what is happening in the packaging sector, how we are responding to change and supporting our customers, and – ultimately – how we are changing as a business to meet new future market needs.”
On the back of success of the Fresh! European Seminars, LINPAC Packaging is already planning a series of workshops to be held at locations across Europe during 2012 – including Amsterdam, Lisbon and Milan. For further information or to receive an invitation, please contact info@linpacpackaging.com.
Joanna Stephenson, LINPAC Packaging's Vice President Marketing & Innovation
