HARTSVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 20, 2009--
The Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) recently
recognized the sleek-shaped Linearpak® package that Sonoco
designed and is producing exclusively for Target’s Archer Farms®
cereals with a 2008 AmeriStar award. The package, along with other
category winners, will be displayed at the IoPP Packaging Summit
scheduled for May 19-20 in Chicago.
The selection by the IoPP represents another major packaging award for
the Linearpak container, which previously was recognized with the
Package of the Year award in the Food Category by Food and Beverage
magazine and with the Private Label Packaging Award by PL Buyer
magazine. All 18 varieties of the cereal marketed throughout Target’s
nationwide chain are packaged in this first-of-its-kind container.
Tall and designed to fit comfortably in consumers’ hands, the gently
rounded corners of the package allow vibrant graphics to flow seamlessly
around the container. It also features a hinged plastic overcap for easy
pouring and reclosability, another first on the cereal aisle. And when
consumers open the package, instead of a hard-to-open bag, they find a
tabbed membrane that easily peels away from the top of the container
with a just a gentle tug.
A Different Package, A Different Experience
Target differentiates its brands from competitors using distinctive
packaging. The Archer Farms Linearpak container expands this successful
strategy by providing consumers with a unique presentation and
value-adding features. With its unique shape and crisp flexo-printed
labels, the Archer Farms Linearpak container clearly communicates the
premium nature of the product inside. Also, its custom-designed
polypropylene overcap includes a patent-pending hinge feature for easy
pouring, and the overcap hugs the rim of the container to keep cereal
fresh after the package has been opened.
Sonoco began work to develop the package after Target asked the Company
for a newly designed cereal package to address consumers’ complaints
about traditional cereal containers. Those complaints, as outlined in a
2006 Consumer Reports study, indicated that consumers didn’t like
opening the bag inside cereal boxes because cereal frequently ended up
everywhere but in their bowl. They also didn’t like the fact that the
bags couldn’t be securely closed, resulting in stale cereal.
Charles Sullivan, executive vice president of Sonoco’s Consumer
division, said Sonoco’s work with Target is an example of the Company’s
unique ability to offer its customers total solutions packaging
services. For the Archer Farms container, he points out that Sonoco is
supplying the Linearpak container, peelable membrane closure and plastic
overcap.
“We felt certain we could meet Target’s expectations because our total
solutions approach allows us to offer customers a full range of
packaging supply chain products and services,” he explained. “In the
case of the Archer Farm cereal container, we were able to successfully
design, test and produce a complete custom package from start to finish.
That’s a unique advantage we have over most packaging companies.”
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation’s operations include large, general
merchandise and food discount stores with a fully integrated online
business through which it offers a fun and convenient shopping
experience with thousands of highly differentiated and affordably priced
items. The company currently operates 1,613 Target stores in 47 states.
Target Corporation news releases are available at www.target.com.
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. For more information on the Company, visit
our Web site at http://www.sonoco.com/.
Source: Sonoco
Sonoco
Robin Montgomery, 843-383-7509
robin.montgomery@sonoco.com