First Commercial Application of Zipbox to Hit Store Shelves

    LAS VEGAS, NV, October 01, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Zipbox, a joint venture between Zip-Pak and T.H.E.M., announces that Plantation brand natural "raw" sugar will be the first product to go to market in the new Zipbox resealable carton format.

Plantation, which will debut in the United States this year, chose Zipbox because it alters the packaging landscape on the shelf, ensuring it stands out among traditional pouch packs in the "natural sugars" segment.

"When we were first introduced to the Zipbox, its novelty was compelling because we knew it would resonate with retailers as an innovative new package format," said William McDaniel, President and CEO of U.S. Sugar Co., Inc., the manufacturer of the Plantation brand. "There has not been a successful packaging innovation in the sugar category for several years, and we are excited to take our Plantation brand to market as the first in this type of package."

Zipbox is a poly-coated paperboard carton incorporating an attached flexible film header containing a ZIP-PAK Press-to-Close solution. Zipbox is designed to facilitate direct-filling of products without the need for an inner liner. By removing the liner, the package can hold up to 40 percent more product, maximizing the product-to-package ratio and cube utilization to reduce transportation costs.

"We were pleased to see the cost of producing the Zipbox was quite competitive with other package formats when taking fill speeds and pallet efficiencies into account," adds McDaniel.

The three-pound Zipbox format was chosen in order to give the consumer a better value compared to existing "raw sugar" products. The larger quantity is meant for multiple uses, making Zipbox the ideal package format to enhance consumer convenience through easy opening and reclosing. Zipbox also eliminates the need to use clips or transfer contents into a separate container, keeping marketing messages in front of the consumer through the last use.

"In our consumer insight testing, Zipbox was recognized as an intuitive and easy-to-use package format for consumers of all ages," explains Frank Kelly, Business Manager for Zipbox. "The Plantation sugar team is certainly forward-thinking when it comes to delivering on the types of convenient features consumers now demand."

"Commercializing a new product can be extremely challenging, but the supply chain partners and brand worked well together," concludes Neil Kozarsky, President of T.H.E.M. "We are applying this initial experience to a wide range of brands that are eager to deliver innovation and convenience."

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 the U.S.

T.H.E.M. is best known for commercializing Sanko Stick Packaging in North America in 1996. As the stick pack authority, T.H.E.M. has helped to put America's leading beverage brands into convenient, portable, single-serve packaging. Stick packs are the perfect solution for 'on the go' consumers of all ages and a popular package option for powdered beverage brands, snack items, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and personal care/healthcare products.

Working in conjunction with select packaging and equipment manufacturers, T.H.E.M. offers a comprehensive array of packaging solutions that can take your brand 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, NJ headquarters, with pilot production to scale up capabilities.

About Zip-Pak

Zip-Pak, celebrating 25 years of resealable packaging innovations, offers seven distinct technologies that provide the framework for more than 200 patented zipper profiles. A global leader for resealable packaging solutions, Zip-Pak is an Illinois Tool Works (ITW) Company. World headquarters are located in Manteno, IL, USA.

For further information on Zipbox, please visit www.zipbox.net or contact Frank Kelly at +1 773-715-3121 or [email protected].

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