Kick off 2026 with a competitive edge at PACK EXPO East. Register now!
Get a jump on your 2026 goals at PACK EXPO East. Put projects in motion, accelerate timelines and solve challenges—all in one trip to Philadelphia.

Push/pull caps: from fad to fixture

"We thought for a while that [sports caps] would be a fad, but now I think they're here to stay." So says Mountain Valley Springs president Tom Mitchell in explaining his company's move to push-pull sports caps on 0.5-L and 1-L bottles of water.

Pw 23167 Wethofora 11

The company, based in Hot Springs National Park, AR, selected a sports cap from Creative Packaging (Buffalo Grove, IL). Its green and gold components complement a recent label change that celebrated the company's 125th anniversary. They also complement the company's signature green bottles. The spout itself is made of linear low-density polyethylene; the cap, as well as the overcap, are polypropylene. A polyvinyl chloride shrink band from Seal-It (Farmingdale, NY) displays a repeated "consider the source" slogan, a reference to the water's Hot Springs source. As a matter of quality control, Mountain Valley began stretch/blow-molding its own polyethylene terephthalate bottles last year. They're filled on-site. Sold throughout most of the U.S., the product's retail prices are 69¢ and 99¢ for the 0.5-L and 1-L bottles, respectively.

Annual Outlook Report: Workforce
Hiring remains a major challenge in packaging, with 78% struggling to fill unskilled roles and 84% lacking experienced workers. As automation grows, companies must rethink hiring and training. Download the full report for key insights.
Download Now
Annual Outlook Report: Workforce
Get a jump on your 2026 packaging & processing goals at PACK EXPO East.
Be the first to find what’s next in packaging & processing at PACK EXPO East. See new solutions from 500 exhibitors, uncover creative ideas for 40+ verticals and gain inspiration from free sessions on industry trends—all in one trip to Philadelphia.
REGISTER NOW & SAVE
Get a jump on your 2026 packaging & processing goals at PACK EXPO East.