UPS, Sealed Air, Smurfit Kappa and Macfarlane Packaging have launched a new range of packaging designed for shipping individual bottles of spirits and wine, to help producers in the UK and Ireland expand their markets.
With online alcohol sales experiencing major growth, the new packaging is said to address the challenge of how to safely pack and ship individual bottles in a range of shapes and sizes.
It has been developed and tested by UPS, in partnership with Smurfit Kappa and Sealed Air, and is distributed by Macfarlane Packaging.
“Ecommerce presents a huge opportunity for drinks producers wanting to grow their businesses, as a fifth of alcohol consumers in key export markets are already purchasing their favourite brands online,” said Mark Vale, president of UPS UK & Ireland. “We designed this new packaging to simplify the process and bring peace of mind that these fragile products will arrive safely at their destination. By combining this specialised packaging with UPS’s smart global logistics network, brokerage expertise and service coverage, distillers can focus on their passion and sharing their savoir-faire with the world.”
Laurel Granville, marketing director at Macfarlane Packaging added, “At the moment, people are ordering more goods from online retailers so that they can stay at home. There is a growing demand for bottle packs as there is a need to effectively pack and distribute these products without damage. At Macfarlane, we offer our clients the most innovative and environmentally friendly protective packaging options for their businesses and we are proud to work with UPS to offer this pack to ecommerce customers.”
There are four customisable versions of the new one-bottle packs that can accommodate most wine and spirits bottles on the market. The packaging is also fully recyclable. It features the Korrvu Retention technology by Sealed Air that allows the bottle to be suspended in transparent film.
