Starpack, the longest running and most prestigious UK packaging awards, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in what has turned out to be a difficult year for the economy. However, packaging development is alive and kicking despite the recession as the entries and winners of the Starpack Awards 2009 prove.
Answering some of today’s critical questions on climate change, convenience and food safety, the 64 winners of Gold, Silver and Bronze Stars came up with a series of excellent and practical solutions across the 16 categories which included Technical Innovation, Environment, Design and Marketing, Logistics and Machinery Excellence.
Organised by IOP: The Packaging Society, the Starpack celebratory dinner and awards’ ceremony is being run alongside the Processing and Packaging Machinery Association and the PPMA Show 2009. The event will take place on the evening of Wednesday 30 September in the Concourse Suite at the Birmingham NEC.
Dr Gordon Stewart, head of PIABC and IOP, the Packaging Society, said: “We are delighted with entry levels and the quality of the packs and systems. The awards are the highlight of the packaging calendar so it is fitting that they should take place alongside another long-established industry event.”
Overall sponsor The Waste and Resources Action Programme’s special adviser Mark Barthel said: “The packaging supply chain is having to reassess how it goes about its business in these difficult times but it is essential that its players remember that by reducing packaging where appropriate and continuing to innovate will not only help save resources but will ultimately reap commercial benefits.”
He added: “I was delighted to see that the entries to the environmental categories had taken this on board.”
Judges were pleased to find that many companies avoided the trap of producing ‘clever packs’ just for the sake of it. Tony Wood, former director, Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association, said: “I was impressed by the number of entries that went back to basics. There were some good examples of simplicity which allowed the pack to function and deliver brand requirements through good graphics and eye catching design.”
New this year, the Machinery Award of Excellence supported by the PPMA, was introduced in recognition of the essential part the machinery sector plays in ensuring product reaches the end consumer.
Don’t miss out …Book the event of the year NOW
The 50th Anniversary Awards dinner and ceremony will take place in Concourse Suite, Birmingham NEC, Wednesday, 30 September 2009. Tables are going fast so book your place or for more information visit http://www.starpack.uk.com
Or contact: Rachel Brooks – T: + 44 (0)1476 513885 E: Rachel.Brooks@iom3.org
