A passion for packaging

In my 18-plus years covering the packaging industry, I have visited dozens of packaging, converting, and supplier plants and have interviewed probably hundreds of people from CPG companies—from small startups to multinationals—as well as vendors. In virtually every case, those I worked with have been generous with their time, hospitable, and eager to share stories of their packaging successes.

But there are those who have especially made an impression. Take, for example, Todd Carmichael, President of coffee company La Colombe, who in addition to founding a successful chain of cafes and creating first-of-its-kind packaging, is the first American to solo trek across Antarctica from the coast to the South Pole, in world-record speed. While his super-human feats, including traversing on foot large parts of deserts such as the Sahara, Gobi, and Namib, were amazing, what was he most excited about? Packaging.

I just got off the phone with an engineer from a labeling company. Following an hour-long interview, we spoke for a least another half hour on the topic of package recycling—the hurdles, the frustrations, and the opportunities. Palpable was his passion for the subject.

In this issue, I’d like to introduce you to Carol Levy, President of design firm The Freelance Portfolio, Inc. and co-packing company Repack Canada. Carol is one of those people with a passion for packaging and—in equal measure—for her customers and employees. As is repeated in the story, Carol’s mantra is “Whatever it takes.” And truly, hearing stories of the early days of her company, she lives what she preaches. As do her staff.

Reads the Repack website, “We love what we do, and we care as deeply about the relationships we’ve made with our clients as the winning success of their retail business.”

With this issue’s Packager Profile—as with every profile we present—we hope you are inspired by the passion for packaging that so often leads to success.