Countdown to the UK’s biggest packaging event
One of the UK’s leading packaging events, Packaging Innovations, is returning to Birmingham’s NEC on February 24-25, 2016, offering an array of product launches and new packaging solutions, plus a mass of first-time and international exhibitors.
The show, which incorporates Contract Pack and Ecopack, is also co-located with Empack and Label&Print, covering the whole packaging spectrum. New for 2016 will be an array of show features, including The Great Innovation Debate, The Innovation Showcase and The Rising Star Scheme, alongside show favourites such as The Retail Symposium and The BIG Print Debate. There will also be a full Learnshop programme, addressing hot industry trends and issues.
Contract packers and manufacturers can also promote their services at Contract Pack and new sustainability features at Ecopack.
Gerry Sherwood, event director for Easyfairs’ UK Packaging Portfolio, said: “The show plays a pivotal role within the UK’s packaging market, pioneering the latest innovations and looking into the future of branded and inspirational packaging. Recent reports showed that the packaging industry is currently worth $424 billion globally, of which Europe contributes $127 billion. It is therefore vital for a show like this to continue leading the way, ensuring we are producing the very best in order to stay competitive.”
Collectively, the Packaging Innovations, Label&Print and Empack shows welcome an array of leading international suppliers from the UK, Germany, Italy, USA, China and Hong Kong, to name just a few.
As always, innovation is set to take centre stage. At Packaging Innovations Fantastak will be launching its SuperRoller industrial adhesive tape application, Roisbros will be launching a new series of boxes for hot and cold food portions, salads and oily products called the Special Delivery series; Beardow Adams will be showcasing its new BAMFutura 50’s range of adhesives in packaging, offering the broadest spectrum of hot and cold temperature resistance.
Glossop Cartons will be doubling the size of its stand for 2016, presenting its new personalisation service, and Simply Cartons will be displaying the capabilities of its new press. i-Sub Digital will be exhibiting its end- to-end packaging prototype workflow, with the Mimaki UJF6042 A2-format UV printer for photo-quality, direct-to-substrate printing on a wide range of media and objects.
It will be a similar story at Label&Print; for example Dantex Graphics will be showcasing its new PicoColour II UV inkjet digital press, and Addressing & Mailing Solutions will be launching AMS Ilumina, its new heavy stock printer.
Elsewhere, the latest in packaging machinery advancements will be on display at Empack, with a host of new exhibitors and product launches for 2016. Advanced Labelling Systems will be launching its third generation R-Series Rotary Labeller, A-Safe will display its new rack protection solution, iFlex RackGuards, Easypack will be using the show to launch its Spiral Pro dispenser, and Kite Packaging is taking the largest stand ever seen by event organiser, Easyfairs.
This year’s line up of speakers
Alongside these shows, a prestigious line-up of packaging and brand professionals has been unveiled as part of a CPD-accredited two-day programme running throughout the event at the NEC. Keynote speakers for the shows’ Learnshops programme include Weetabix, Innocent Drinks, Kraft Heinz, Britvic, John Lewis, Wilkos, JML Group, The Body Shop, SABMiller and Quorn Foods.
These major players will draw on the very latest thinking, technological trends and real- life examples as they address the top industry concerns faced by packaging experts. Gerry Sherwood added: “The Learnshops programme aims to cover the full packaging spectrum, providing visitors with practical and pioneering insight that just might help their business or packaging idea evolve.”
The topic of convenience shopping will be addressed and there will also be discussions on real-life integration of brand, packaging and business success and how strategy, insights and technology come together.
Elsewhere, in the Keynote Theatre, the areas explored will include the challenge of the skills gap in modern day workplaces, food wastage, packaging for an omni-channel world, open innovation and leveraging network, and packaging challenges for retail.
Read our special Packaging Innovations show preview coming in the February issue of Converter magazine.