After 15 Years, T.H.E.M. Finds Markets Sticking with Stick Packs

    MARLTON, NJ, August 11, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Consumers who appreciate convenience and portability will be delighted to see even more products available in single-serve "stick packs", if Marlton, New Jersey-based packaging company T.H.E.M. has anything to say about it.

T.H.E.M. (Technical Help in Engineering and Marketing), which has been providing custom packaging solutions since 1973, brought stick pack technology to North America in 1996. Invented by the Japanese company Sanko Machinery Co. Ltd. -- the premier manufacturer of stick pack equipment -- this innovative packaging form is being adopted by U.S. companies eager to find innovative, cost-effective ways to deliver products -- ranging from creamers and condiments to OTC medications and nutraceuticals -- to on-the-go consumers. Among the newest products to be found in stick pack (or "stickpack") form is XRP, a direct-to-mouth energy product. It is just one more category in the growing list of products available in a stick pack; and one that T.H.E.M. helped bring to market.

Much more than a convenience

According to T.H.E.M. President Neil Kozarsky, "When we first brought stick packaging to North America, it took time to convince brand managers and manufacturing executives that we were 'for real' and that this was the packaging wave of the future. Fortunately, we always had our partner, Sanko, behind us and were able to point out the many benefits of stick packs, including a significant source-reduction advantage that equated to a proportionate cost-savings per impression. In addition to being a highly attractive option for consumers, retailers quickly discovered that it opened up shelf space. In fact, stick packs create source and space reduction throughout the entire distribution cycle."

Opening up new markets

Looking back over the first 15 years of stick packaging in North American markets, Kozarsky is grateful, too, for the partnership T.H.E.M. has had with Sanko Machines and U.S.-based Power Packaging, a leading third-party manufacturer. Collectively known as the "Sanko Solution," these three entities pioneer new uses for stick packs. "New avenues continue to open up for stick pack applications. What originally began as a delivery system for powdered beverages that were added to water has become increasingly sophisticated. For instance, this is an ideal way to accurately dose pharmaceuticals, as stick packs are tamper-evident, portable and easy-to-dispense."

So, as markets continue to stick with stick packs, new markets avail themselves of stick packaging opportunities. Today, products found in stick packs include sugar, sweeteners, soluble tea, drink mixes, creamers, condiments and yogurt, as well as personal care products. According to Kozarsky, "With our R&D capabilities, we are able to support clients' needs from concept to completion. The way we see it, the sky's the limit."

About T.H.E.M.

T.H.E.M. (Technical Help in Engineering and Marketing) was founded in 1973 as one of the first providers of innovative packaging solutions in North America. The company is best known for commercializing Sanko Stick Packaging in the U.S. Working in conjunction with select packaging and equipment manufacturers, T.H.E.M. offers a comprehensive array of packaging solutions designed to take brands from initial concept to full-scale national or global production. T.H.E.M. has a fully operational, on-site R&D center located at its Marlton, New Jersey headquarters, with pilot production to scale-up capabilities. For more information, please visit: www.them.net.

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