UK packaging supplier, Kite Packaging is teaming up for a third year with Audion Swissvac, taking a 104sqm stand at Empack, which runs alongside Packaging Innovations and Label&Print on 24 and 25 of February at Birmingham NEC.
Meanwhile professionals from Weetabix, Innocent Drinks, Kraft Heinz, Britvic, Taylors of Harrogate, John Lewis, Wilkos, JML Group, The Body Shop, SABMiller and Quorn Foods are among the keynote speakers who will share their expertise at Packaging Innovations.
Topics debated at the show’s Keynote Theatre this year include the skills gap, food waste, packaging innovation, how to gain an competitive edge, how to leverage your network and omni-channel consumers.
A panel of experts including Weetabix strategic packaging innovation manager Clover Abbott and packaging operations team leader at Innocent Drinks Graham Fox will discuss how to close the skills gap, as well as how the packaging needs of food and drink retailers are changing and other topics.
Kraft Heinz packaging expert and waste reductionist Marcel Keuenhof will share his insights in the ‘combating food waste through packaging’ event. An estimated 89m tonnes of food is wasted every year in the EU, and this is expected to rise to around 126m tonnes by 2020.
Britvic senior innovation manager, packaging Mike Swain will look at ‘overcoming the challenges of packaging innovation’ while Conrad Hart-Brooke, packaging supply chain manager at Taylors of Harrogate will explore the year ahead and provide ‘packaging insights for a competitive edge’.
Mark Gallen, packaging design and production manager at John Lewis, a retailer which has seen web and mobile sales soar, will chair an interactive debate on ‘packaging for an omni-channel world’. Wilkos own brand packaging manager Phil Huggett, Alison Gilliard, senior brand and packaging designer at John Mills and The Body Shop sustainable packaging engineer Ian Curtis are on the panel.
On day two, former manager packaging: sustainability and innovation, at SABMiller Antoinette Devine will address ‘open innovation and leveraging your network’ and Ester Takacs, head of packaging development at Quorn Foods will share the company’s insights on the ‘packaging challenges for retail’.
Packaging Innovations will again feature Learnshops. This practical, CPD-accredited two day programme will run throughout the event, featuring top professionals drawing on the latest thinking, technological trends and real-life examples to address industry concerns.
Event director Gerry Sherwood said: “The Learnshops programme aims to cover the full packaging spectrum, providing visitors with practical and pioneering insight that just might help their business or packaging idea evolve.”
“Having major brands like Weetabix, Innocent Drinks, John Lewis and SABMiller is obviously fantastic kudos for the show, but it also means that we can provide thought provoking content for our visitors.
“As the leading packaging event, it is important that we stay on top of our game, so we invited some of the biggest names from the packaging and print world to come and discuss the critical issues and provide some first-hand experience on a more global scale. It’s our most comprehensive and international programme yet.”
In Learnshops, author, brand strategist and former head of marketing at Spar and McColl’s Adam Margolin will look at the growing convenience sector.
Lynn Butterworth, procurement manager, at Quintessential Brands will discuss how suppliers can drive packaging innovation in brands. Sun Branding Solutions account director Kate Fischer will interview Marcus Wilson, Owner of Little Fingers Organic Baby Food Co on the subject.
Stergios Bititsios, Packaging and Consumer Research Leader at Cambridge Design Partnership will look at the beginning of the process.
And Dan Monteith, Managing Partner at brand and design agency Hornall Anderson, who talk about redesigning the Jamie Oliver brand for global markets.
To see the full learnshops line-up and to register for free entry to the exhibition visit, www.easyfairs.com/PIUK.
