Cosmetics are big winners in packaging competition (sidebar)

Gold Gold: When Transtar Autobody Technologies of Bridgton, NJ, wanted to upgrade an existing package for its line of Transtar car finish products, management came to Kaufman Container Co. The distributor responded with packaging that's not only more functional but more appealing, as well. The previous package was a white HDPE cylinder with screen printing in two colors. Transtar was experiencing problems with sidewall paneling and the closure tended to clog. Kaufman directed the automotive aftermarket manufacturer to a burgundy polyvinyl chloride bottle with an oblong shape that makes it easy to grip. Perhaps more important, the PVC does not permit paneling. Silver Zuckerman-Honickman supplies these uniquely designed bottles to Motor Up Corp., Somerset, NJ, for that firm's Fuel Up fuel system treatment and Gear Up transmission treatment. The 8-oz polyvinyl chloride bottles each hold one full treatment. Custom spout caps are also supplied for ease of dispensing. Bronze Bronze went to Kaufman Container for 22-oz LDPE "bottle tubes" used by U.S. Chemical and Plastics for its Cargroom line of car finishes. The Massillon, Ohio, firm relaunched its line with the new package, which replaces a PVC can-shaped bottle with a push-pull closure. The screen-printed new package, says U.S. Chemical, is easier to use.