PakTech

Packaging World, the leading business magazine serving packaging professionals, launched this community-based program in January of 2011 to recognize leadership and excellence among suppliers of packaging materials, machinery and service. Packaging professionals were invited to visit the Leadership in Packaging site to vote for favorite suppliers among those listed in twenty packaging categories. At the close the voting PakTech earned the honor category leader in Multipacking.

Category leaders will be recognized the November issue of Packaging World.

See the complete list of Category Leaders here.

With the release of the latest CCA1200 applicator video, PakTech asked consumers to offer their latest insights on the new machine in exchange for a chance to win a new iPod. At the end of the two week contest, PakTech staff reviewed all of the entrants and selected their favorite comments. The decision wasn't easy, as there were a handful of both creative and insightful comment to choose from, but PakTech would like to congratulate Kevin Poehner for his 'unCANny,' iPod winning comment:

"The efficiency of the machine is impressive. What is truley impressive are the ramifications a machine like this CAN have on small producers, particularly in industries such as craft beer where aesthetics are paramount and a reduction in cost via shipping weight and shipping material could spell the difference between success and failure. Creation of the CCA1200 makes possible a more wide-spread distribution of canned products which have as many benefits to consumer as they do to producers and to the enviornment. UnCANny!!"

Though not quite iPod worthy(sorry!), these are a few of the other great responses: 

"The efficiency of the machine is astounding, and the properties of the handle are innovative. In a country that seems to be lagging in innovation, it's great to see a company that is able to create a machine that creates a product with the consumer in mind. This would be great for small craft breweries that need a cost efficient way to package their products..."

"I'm glad to hear that companies are taking steps to reduce waste in everyday products. I liked to hear that they are recyclable and utilize less packaging. And, by the looks of them, I would assume they can't choke helpless sea animals. Good for you, responsive and environmentally responsible handle makers!"

"Wow! I'm totally impressed. The CCA1200 is cost effective, efficient, eco-friendly, and makes great easy-to-use handles - with one-stop shopping, too. It looks like PakTech has the handle on handling cans!"

PakTech appreciates everyone that took time to offer their insights. See all of the original comments on PakTech's Facebook. 

Continuing a long-standing commitment to exceptional customer service, PakTech launched a new and improved website designed specifically with the customers in mind. The new site offers intuitive, one-click navigation and an emphasis on clear visual communication. With the speed at which business moves today, PakTech understands the importance of creating a user-friendly online experience, optimized for easy access to resources and with the most up to date product pictures, company news, and innovation. The website was officially launched in early 2011, though will continue to see updates and improvements moving forward.

In addition to the revamped website, PakTech launched complimentary social media profiles on Facebook and Twitter. The way people communicate is changing and PakTech is ready to post, tweet, like, or chat with any and all interested. Join the conversation!

Facebook

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www.paktech-opi.com

PakTech developed and has finalized their covered can handles as an alternative to the traditional stamped film can rings. The 6Pak and QuadPak models are in the market on several projects, including customers Maui Brewing and Anderson Valley Brewing. While PakTech has always maintained that their handles to provide 'significant' debris protection, third party testing has confirmed that PakTech "Can Carriers provide a 95% to 98% reduction of dust buildup as a result of having the can tops covered. The Can Carriers provide additional protection from the environment preventing contaminates from residing on the tops of cans, which the traditional webbing does not accommodate for." PakTech believes that such debris protection is an essential goal for many beverage and food can projects, in addition to its consumer appeal, package differentiation, and recyclability. In addition, after 5 months of building and testing automated applicators, PakTech has launched the new CCA (Can Carrier Applicator) line of equipment. Factory acceptance with one customer is taking place in August on a lower speed machine, which applies can handles at the rate of 200 cans per minute. CCA models will run speeds up to 2400 cans per minute with queue options available to suit the needs of any operation.

Applicator model specifications and video will be posted on their web site @ www.paktech-opi.com by Mid-Aug. Details, quotations, and personal tours are available by contacting the sales staff at (541) 461-5000.

For the past year, PakTech has been designing and testing an applicator that will suit the needs of major clients: the Multi-Purpose Applicator to run 60 cycles per minute (MPA60). In early 2009, PakTech became official Integrators of Fanuc Robots. The MPA60 applicator is a continuous motion machine which utilizes 5-Axis Fanuc robots to apply TwinPaks, and as this is a 'multi-purpose' machine, change parts allow it to run different handle styles in addition to the TwinPaks. The robotic arms and heads allow for exceptional flexibility in application, and this machine has two arms that apply handles to every-other case. The Integrated Vision System identifies position, orientation, and speed of incoming product. This information is fed to the robot arms which adjust to the location of each case. If a case on the line is askew, the robot arm senses it and rotates accordingly. The advantages of this flexible movement are immeasurable since cases on swift-moving processing lines rarely remain in an orderly fashion at all times. Standard PakTech applicator components including stainless steel frame, automatic cue stations, and touch-screen operations are core to this machine. Building and testing was completed in August and PakTech is currently beginning to build several production models for sale.

See the MPA60 video on paktech-opi.com and call 541.461.5000 for further details.

In March the Oregon Business Magazine announced PakTech as one of Oregon's Top 100 Green Businesses. The results are based on employee and employer surveys conducted in the fall of 2008. The sustainability section was among other more general questions in the 100 Best Oregon Businesses Survey. Employees answered the "100 Best Employee Survey" which included 'green' questions such as PakTech's support for waste reduction; reuse and recycling; renewable energy and conservation; alternative modes of transportation; use of nontoxic materials; environmental stewardship; and employee recognition and rewards for meeting or exceeding energy and waste-reduction goals. The "100 Best Employer Benefits Survey" asked the organization directly about recognizing employees for reducing energy; helping subsidize employees' public transit passes; allowing for green means of transport; using energy efficient lighting; purchasing of renewable energy; recycling office waste; using nontoxic materials; making business decisions based on sustainable values; reducing energy consumption and pollution; and sustainability commitment as part of the organization's core business strategy.

Results provided to management show PakTech to be the only plastic manufacturer in the Top 100, and scores showed PakTech to have averaged higher than most others in the Top 100. Top 10 will be announced in June during a congratulatory ceremony in Portland, Oregon.

In early 2009, PakTech brought on two new employees specifically to serve the Latin American market, particularly Mexico. For many years, PakTech has served smaller volumes within Mexico. Established and respected clients such as Detersol, Mega Alimentos, Salsas Castillos, and MielMex have purchased handles from PakTech for many years with a steady, moderate pace. Recently however, there has been an increase in the popularity of club, or 'Mega' stores as well as an increase in packaging innovation and automation in Mexico. In 2008, PakTech Sales Manager Jim Sewell began making regular trips to Mexico to visit with potential customers. During this same period, PakTech began the interview and hiring process for independent Sales Manager Victor Reyes. Mr. Reyes has been in Sales for over 15 years, serving the printing and industrial equipment markets. He is a Mexican national and his experience, work ethic, English language skills, and outstanding personality compelled PakTech to hire him as the Sales Director of PakTech Latinoamericana, a Mexican subsidiary corporation formed in February 2009. Mr. Reyes is based near Mexico City and has been helpful in adding Grupo Jumex, CCM/Femsa (Coca-Cola Mexico), Peñafiel and Herdez as PakTech's newer customers. Due to this increased activity, PakTech has also hired an International Customer Service Account Manager Gayleen Orozco. Ms. Orozco is based in Eugene, OR, has extensive customer service experience, and is fluent in both Spanish and German. Ms. Orozco now manages all Latin American and international accounts, and is the key support person for Mr. Reyes. PakTech is enthusiastic about their new staff and about serving new and growing Latin American companies. While they currently plan on serving customers directly from Eugene, OR, they are locating and will be warehousing directly in Mexico within the next three months.

PakTech, the leader in packaging handle solutions for the food and beverage and consumer goods industries, has had a particularly busy year for handle design work, and they plan to showcase three specific developments at two major tradeshows this fall. PakTech will display for the first time at the InterBev show, a beverage specific tradeshow in Las Vegas on October 20-22. They will also show at the internationally renowned Packexpo show in Chicago on November 9-13, as they have for 15 years. While PakTech prides itself on being the leader of innovation for their product line, this year they have three specific handle lines they will be showcasing: the new nest and stack lightweight handles, stackable beverage can handles, and stackable food can handles. The new nest and stack handles are offered as replacements for their current, ever-popular TwinPak and QuadPak handles for large (64-96oz) beverage, club store packages. The new handles are up to 15% lighter in material, and stack such that PakTech can almost double the amount of handles in each finished box and pallet. This results in incredible freight savings (about 75% reduction in freight cost for truckload orders!) as well as significant reduction in storage space. The beverage can handles are available with and without fully covered tops, or 'dust covers', and are intended to replace the stamped plastic rings traditionally found on beverage can 6-packs. The handles for canned food products are unique from the beverage can handles, but the intent is the same: to offer an option to the traditional packaging for canned food goods, which is cardboard and shrink. For both beverage and food cans, the handles are designed such that completed packages can easily stack on each other for a completed pallet configuration. The reduction in secondary packaging waste as well as cost has proven to be significant. See these and other examples of winning packages using PakTech handles at Booth 215 at Interbev, close to the entrance, and booth E-6840 at Packexpo in the Lakeside Center.

After meeting with Creative Pack founder and President Brad Devine, PakTech is moving forward with the Sydney-based company to increase sales potential in Australia. Creative Pack is a highly-respected provider of promotional and contract packaging products and services. The team serves many well-known national and international brands with contract packaging projects, retail samples, and promotional projects including 'insert' and 'on-pack' support (think: small toys inserted into or glued onto retail packs). In selling PakTech's Handles and Applicator products, Creative Pack is keen to increase their secondary packaging offerings. According to PakTech Sales Director Richard Shumate, "Creative Pack is a classy, high-quality company, and they believe they can expand PakTech's product offerings into the Australian market. We do too, and we look forward to working with their team to make some successful sales in the land Down Under." To learn more about Creative Pack, visit their web site at creativepack.com.au or call Richard Shumate for contact information.