Reaching for the stars

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Astrapak shines in Gold Pack Awards Astrapak took a magnificent seven in this year’s Gold Pack Awards. The Gold Pack Awards, which have been in existence since 1974, are the South African packaging industry’s highest recognition platform for innovation and design in all forms of packaging. So Astrapak’s seven triumphs speak volumes. ‘We constantly bang on about the need to innovate and the results of this year’s competition indicate that we’re doing something right,’ says Group marketing executive Charles Muller. ‘It’s about not resting on our laurels, though: we need to ensure we’re constantly at the forefront in a never-ending quest to provide our clients and, in the end, consumers with value-added packaging.’ The Awards are conducted under the auspices of the Institute of Packaging SA, and this year attracted 133 entries. Winners from this competition are entitled to enter into the World Packaging Organisation’s WorldStar programme. This year, Astrapak won: See page 12 for the product pictures Best in Category, Automotive Sasol 5l lubricant container Pak 2000 and JJ precision Plastics collaborated on this project and the judges were impressed with the pack’s 90-degree moveable handle, the first of its kind on a blow-moulded container. The colour-coded grip, tapered neck and dual tamperevident colourcoded tapered closures also received warm praise. Pak 2000 and JJ Precision Plastics produced a bottle with a tamperevident cap and extendable/ retractable spout for reuse. Judges also mentioned the favourable size and shape of the bottle, as well as the blowmoulded colour variants and five-colour screen printing. Best in Category, Health & Beauty Woolworths oval tubes Consupaq were praised by the judges for the improved design, which allowed more space for branding and consumer information, as well as the sleek, more feminine look of the tubes. Flexo-printed pressure-sensitive labels were used to create a ‘no-label’ look. Gold medal, Health & Beauty Lux body-wash range Cinqplast Plastop manufactured the bottle and the judges were impressed with the package as a well executed pack. Gold medal, Health & Beauty Vaseline Petroleum Jelly jars JJ Precision Plastics and Plastop KZN developed a new, modern look for this iconic brand. The judges were pleased with the functionality of the jar, especially the flip-top lid. Best in Category, Other Cremora coffee creamer Cinqplast Plastop pleased the judges with this design, particularly the spout, which not only protects the contents but also negates the need for an internal hermetic seal, making the pack easier to use and saving costs. Best in Category, Family Sasol lubricant range – 5l, 1l, 500ml & 200ml Pak 2000 and JJ Precision Plastics were rewarded for creating a range of packaging sizes that created a sense of ‘family’. The judges were impressed with the way that common elements between the various sizes had been incorporated to create a clear brand identity even from a distance. 2 Gold medal, Automotive Castrol 500ml lubricant bottle ASTRAPAK NEWS Bonke Dlamini (left) and Phil Sereme (right) from Nestle were on hand with Astrapak’s Charles Muller (centre) to accept the Best in Category Award for the innovative Cremora pack.
Message for the Festive Season It’s been a tough year on many fronts, and as we wind our way to the holiday season, it’s worth reflecting on what we’ve achieved in the face of challenging circumstances. The reorganisation of our physical business footprint continued this year as we consolidated operations into a more logical structure. This will lead to greater efficiencies as we’re able to strip out unnecessary duplication in expenses. The story about Knilam and Saflite on page 4 is a perfect case in point. The businesses represent some fairly advanced packaging ideas, serve similar customers and will now be able to benefit from a more knowledgeable and coordinated sales approach. This consolidation should reflect a quick positive impact on the bottom line. We’ve also reorganised the senior management structure, with an additional person to look after the east coast region, so that each operational general manager has the very best support and guidance to achieve their demanding budgets and goals. We experienced a major disruption during the year with the labour strikes that occurred around the country. As I wrote previously, I support the right to strike but I still ask if it was the right thing to do at the time. Our economy, and global economies, are in a precarious state at the moment, and I feel we need to be pulling together to build our common prospects rather than pulling apart and threatening our individual futures. Hopefully, we as a country have learned from the experience and we’ll see more measured action in the year ahead. Whatever be the colour of your eye, Whatever be the colour of your hair, Whatever position you occupy, Whatever religion you might declare, Whatever be the colour of your skin, Whatever be your political thought, Virtue be in your heart, or deadly sin, Whether you have treasures, or possess nought, In this Festive Season please turn your face Towards a stranger and hold out your hand, Offer him, or her a friendly embrace And try to make him, or her understand, That we are all of the same family. by Peter J. Oszmann Our shareholders continue to believe in our future. By the end of this financial year we’ll have spent about R180 million on new equipment and improvements to better position the company in a fast-changing world. Much of the new kit will have been installed and be operational by the time you get this newsletter, and I’m confident that it’s going to make a fundamental difference to how our business is able to compete in an extremely aggressive marketplace. The product innovations introduced at once-beleaguered East Rand Plastics (see page 11) are a good example of how we’ll be able to differentiate ourselves from the merchants of commodity products where their only differentiating factor is price. We want to add value for our clients. I’m really encouraged to read about Patrick Lushaba and his personal quest to become a qualified fitter and turner. That is what this company and this country needs if we’re going to compete headon with international players like China. Dedication, commitment, hard work and a desire to improve our academic capabilities are the cornerstones of what will make us successful as individuals and as a country. So, going into the holidays, I believe we should be quietly confident about the year ahead. Yes, consumers are still going to be under financial pressure and, in turn, that means we’re going to experience similar challenges. But we’ve made improvements and are better positioned to deal with them in a positive way. I wish you and your family all the very best over the holiday season. Take time to spend some quality time and enjoy each other and the festivities. But drive safely. You’re all important to us. Good health for 2012. Regards ASTRAPAK NEWS 3
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Reaching for the stars

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