HomeJohn FarrenPresident of Farren Consulting ServicesCOVID-19Without Wholesale Venues, Brands Reaching Out to ConsumerSocial media, e-commerce and donations to those in need are various ways brands are trying to directly reach consumers in light of COVID-19 cancellations and closures.COVID-19COVID-19 Survey: Early Results Reflect Current Resolve, Future UncertaintyResponses indicate that companies producing packaged goods tend to be “So far, so good, all things considered” as one phrased it, and supply chains remain intact. But when asked to forecast into the future, there's far less consensus.SustainabilityCompostable Steam BagsUK-based Planit Products, owner of the Toasta bags brand, has added renewable and compostable film to its portfolio for its new microwavable steam bags, sold in retail outlets in the UK.SustainabilityEuropean Recycling Markets Reel from CoronavirusChanges in consumer behavior, the reduced cost of virgin materials, logistics disruptions and other trends driven by COVID-19 may have a lasting effect on the European recycling industry.Contract packagingCBD: Cooperation to Outdo CompetitionAt the CPA 2020 Annual Meeting, Bruce Bernstein, President of UBIX Processing, talks about the opportunities for CPGs and contract packagers in the growing CBD market.COVID-19An Appeal to Support Our Essential Services and Critical Infrastructure WorkersThe COVID-19 pandemic is proving to be a tremendous global challenge that we must work together to defeat. Now, our essential and critical workers are being relied upon to provide the services we expect every day and we must do everything to support them.Business intelligencePACK EXPO Rewind: Risk AssessmentHear PMMI’s Bruce Main, Safety Expert and Technical Advisor, and Sean Riley, Senior Director of Media & Industry Communications discussion of risk assessment at PACK EXPO East earlier this month.Business intelligencePet Food Market Shows Solid Growth through 2025The U.S. leads the world in pet food sales, says a new study from PMMI Business Intelligence, as pet owners around the world seek fresher, healthier and ethically produced ingredients—the same as they expect for themselves.HomeUltrasound Gel Pouch Gets Ergonomic Design, Reduces WasteDesigned to be easy to hold and evacuate more product, this multilayer spouted pouch replaces the traditional bottle while requiring less energy to manufacture and transport.COVID-19Distilleries Refit to Fill Hand-Sanitizer GapDuring World War II, Ford made tanks instead of cars and Maytag made plane parts instead of washing machines. With hand sanitizer being the small-arms munitions of today’s pandemic crisis, cosmetics and distilleries are joining the war effort.Contract packagingCPA’s 2020 Annual Meeting a Huge SuccessCPA – The Association for Contract Packagers and Manufacturers shares news on its recent Annual Meeting, the PACK EXPO East Sourcing Center, and upcoming events.HomeOEM COVID-19 #5: BellatRx & Mpac LangenUnPACKED with PMMI podcast with Canadian OEMs highlights communication early and often.WorkforceWhy Women are Under-Represented in the C-SuiteIf companies with more women in leadership roles have greater innovation, increased productivity, higher employee satisfaction, and higher employee retention, why are there so few in the C suite?SustainabilityFighting Back Against Anti-Plastics LegislationAt the CPA Annual Meeting, FPA President Alison Keane shares how the organization is working to help shape legislation around plastic packaging, rather than just react to it.HomeCornell Creates COVID-19 Website for Food IndustryHelps food processors determine what’s necessary to protect the public and employees, while helping to maintain safe U.S. food supplyPMMI newsOpinion: Packaging Industry Begins COVID-19 ResponseRapid response to crisis seen industry wide, inspiring hope and reflecting resilience in the time of a crisis.Machinery‘Quality Conscious’ CanningThis Portland, Maine, brewery decided to “dip our toes in the can market” by installing a small filler/seamer. It quickly became clear that a 300 cans/minute line was going to be required.Contract packagingCPGs: Build Relationships for Contract Packaging SuccessRobby Martin of Bush Brothers shares those factors that go into building great relationships between Consumer Packaged Goods companies and contract packagers/contract manufacturers.Business intelligencePopularity of Cannabis Formats Evolving, Packaging Follows SuitDried flower is giving way to creams, gels, dried teas/powders and inhalers, products that doubled in growth in two years’ time. Packaging for cannabis is expanding to meet this growth.SustainabilityOpinion: COVID-19 Swings “Reusable” from Good to Bad
