HARTSVILLE, S.C., Sep 30, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Sonoco (NYSE:SON), one of the largest diversified global packaging
companies, today introduced new Firma(TM) brand carriers and pallet
components, a line of transport packaging products engineered to address
problems associated with traditional pallets.
Sonoco will unveil the new product line at Pack Expo in Las Vegas, Oct.
5 - 7. The Firma carrier product line includes FirmaLoad(TM) bulk bag
carriers, FirmaCore(TM) lightweight carriers, FirmaDeck(TM) lightweight
corrugated carriers, FirmaMax(TM) recycled plastic carriers and FirmaGuard(TM)
components.
Made from a variety of sustainable materials such as recovered paper,
recycled plastics and compressed wood, the Firma carrier product line
includes patented and patent-pending product designs developed by
Sonoco's packaging design engineers. The Company's commitment to
sustainability drove development teams to seek environmentally
responsible materials and production methods for the Firma brand
carriers and pallet components.
"The new line is another example of Sonoco's commitment to sustainable
packaging solutions," said John Colyer, vice president, Industrial
Converting - North America. "The Firma products also address many of the
problems you find in traditional pallets, which are more difficult to
dispose of and often add to shipping costs because of their heavier
weight. And if not properly maintained, they can cause product damage
through protruding nails and splintering."
Firma carriers are designed with the total supply chain in mind
beginning with the selection of recycled raw materials, the carrier's
weight and the environmental impact related to its transport to the
point of use. This continues through the use and handling of the
carrier, including workplace safety. They are 100 percent recyclable, so
they don't become solid waste landfill contributors like many
traditional pallets. Space and transit cost savings deliver additional
advantages over traditional pallets, and Firma carriers are exempt from
ISPM-15, a global export regulation controlling the spread of pests and
disease.
The Firma product line grew from two marketplace challenges: the
increasing regulation of wood pallets by companies and countries around
the world, and the need to be better stewards of the environment.
"In terms of design, the product line was originally inspired by
Sonoco's leadership in protective packaging for the appliances
industry," said Ron Lanier, sales and marketing manager - pallets and
components. "Strong interest from customers and the industry in the
areas of performance, cost and sustainability confirmed the commercial
viability of these products."
The Firma brand strategy was established on the key product attributes
of strength and the use of more sustainable materials. Firma -- meaning
firm, fast or stable in various languages - was chosen as a collective
brand name, illustrating Sonoco's intent to offer firm, fast and stable
transport packaging products. For more information about the Firma line
of carriers and pallet components, visit http://www.sonoco.com/sites/sonocotranspack/index.html.
About Sonoco
Founded in 1899, Sonoco (NYSE: SON) is a $4.1 billion global
manufacturer of industrial and consumer products and provider of
packaging services, with about 300 operations in 35 countries, serving
customers in some 85 nations. Sonoco is a proud member of the Dow Jones
Sustainability World Index (DJSI), a global composite index that
recognizes leading global companies in terms of economic performance,
environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Sonoco also has
been ranked as one of the 100 greenest large companies in the United
States in Newsweek's inaugural
Green Rankings, which evaluated the country's 500 largest companies on
their environmental performance, green policies and reputation. Sonoco,
which was listed 94th, had the best ranking of any U.S.-based
packaging company. For more information on the Company, visit our Web
site at http://www.sonoco.com/
SOURCE: Sonoco
Sonoco
Ginny Jones, 843-339-6048, ginny.jones@sonoco.com
www.sonoco.com