There are lots of reasons to attend a Trade Show - to meet customers and suppliers old and new, to find out about the latest products and industry news, or perhaps to acquire a few free pens to add to the collection! This week's Packaging Innovations Show at Birmingham's NEC was an opportunity for the Invopak away team to do this, and more.
Held over two days on the 21st and 22nd February the show brought together packaging businesses from the UK and Europe. There were hundreds of trade stands divided into six market zones for easier navigation;
- Food and Drink
- Personal Care
- Household
- Pharma
- Contract pack and fulfilment
- Label and print
The variety of packaging on show was impressive, particularly with regards to the food and beverage industry. Cardboard boxes, paper bags and flexible packaging were well represented, but there were also bespoke glass bottles and embossed tins in every shape and size.
There was also plenty of rigid packaging, particularly within the plastic realm. Jerry Can, Plastic Bucket, Small Tub and Plastic Jar manufacturers were all in evidence and it was good to catch up with many of our suppliers over the course of the show.
It was great to catch-up with so many of our manufacturers, including Paul and Harvey from River Packaging
EPR, Packaging and the Circular Economy
The three show stages covered Innovation and Design, The Supply Chain, and Manufacturing and The Circular Economy. There were talks, discussions and presentations on a huge variety of topics over the two days covering everything from packaging sustainability to developing a burger brand!
Defra was out in force, taking the lead in several of the talks as well as hosting one of the busiest stands at the show. EPR also proved to be a big draw on the Circular Economy Stage. It was standing room only on Thursday afternoon as representatives from Defra, McDonald's, ESA, and the Packaging Group hotly debated the role EPR will play in improving packaging sustainability in the UK.
It was standing room only for the discussion on EPR on the Circular Economy Stage
Other show trends
Hospitality was very much the order of the day, with stands offering biscuits, chocolates or bubbles to tempt visitors. The QR-code was king, connecting businesses and attendees with SMART technology and one tap of the vistors pass.
Sustainability was everywhere, with talk of recycled plastic and the efficient use of materials a theme throughout the show. It was interesting to see new technology in action, including digital printing and a wide array of automated packing, printing and labelling machines.
Hospitality's back, and many stands offered browsers biscuits, chocolates or even a glass of fizz
An opportunity to catch up with our suppliers
One of the most useful aspects of a trade show is that it brings everyone together in the same place for a few days. When diaries are busy and logistics tricky shows are an efficient way for manufacturers, suppliers and customers to keep in touch.
It is also an excellent opportunity to look at products first hand, as well as finding out about any packaging developments that might be coming down the pipeline. Many of the Invopak team have decades of experience in the industry, so it's a chance to see old friends too.
Museum-grade display cases presented caps, closures and bergs as artworks on the Bericap stand
Get in touch with Invopak
If you're looking for expert packaging advice then why not get in touch with our team. Whatever sort of rigid packaging you need we can help. Click the button below to take a look at the full range.