Schlage revamps retail packs

It's the first redesign the clear plastic packs have seen in eight years. Introduced in August at the 1995 National Hardware Show in Chicago, the improved package better displays the product and adds interest through several contours and angles in the PVC thermoform. "The paperboard insert works with the contoured plastic, giving a more dramatic look than a flat plastic lid," says Vince Flores, packaging engineer. The package design was developed by Landor & Associates (San Francisco, CA) and executed by Schlage and its thermoformer, Plastic Concept (Huntington Beach, CA). Marketing goals were to call more attention to the brand name, the Schlage "keybow" and the warranty on the shiny metal finish. These were all accomplished through redesigned graphics on the 16-pt SBS insert card, which is offset-printed in four colors by San Diego Paper Box (San Diego, CA). Sealing is different, too. Instead of being stapled, the 24-mil PVC base and lid are dimple-sealed through pressure on custom-built machinery; Schlage is considering moving to sonic welding for pilfer-resistance. While the new packaging costs about 5% more, Schlage has made no decision about passing on any increases to consumers.