SMURFIT Kappa recently hosted a customer event at British racing venue Silverstone, with the overarching theme of ‘Driving the future together’.
The aim was to empower customers to ‘drive out risk, drive value, and drive sales’.
At its heart was a hub of exploration where attendees delved into various facets of the industry including the creation of paper and board, machine systems, fresh produce packaging, printing and coating techniques, e-commerce solutions, retail, and consumer packaging.
Smurfit Kappa added that the immersive experience allowed customers to gain a deeper understanding of the latest trends, technologies and sustainability drivers shaping the future packaging landscape.
Customers also gained insights into streamlined supply chain dynamics and design innovation.
Smurfit Kappa’s SupplySmart system creates a digital model of a business’ supply chain to deliver ‘risk-free’ rewards by optimising packaging. Customers got to see how, by implementing SupplySmart to analyse and optimise their supply chain, Smurfit Kappa can help them to save space, reduce costs and deliver on sustainability targets.
There was also the Design2Market Factory, where customers voted and challenged Smurfit Kappa to design a 100% recyclable alternative to protective plastic packaging for delicate products through the e-commerce supply chain.
Smurfit Kappa had the day of the event to create the packaging solution which was live-streamed in the afternoon. The solution was said to result in a reduction of 115 tonnes of CO2, £224,000 in costs, and 80 tonnes of plastic.
The afternoon centred around presentations and dialogues led by industry experts. These sessions addressed current opportunities and challenges that businesses are navigating.
The discussions offered perspectives on emerging trends, presenting opportunities for business growth, and fostering a collaborative environment.
Sustainability was a key focus, with discussions centring on eco-friendly practices, recycling, and innovations for current and future needs. The event also showcased advancements in smart packaging. Tangible displays in the packaging exhibition included prototypes of eco-friendly packaging solutions and designs optimising space and materials, while a game zone invited attendees to experience driving simulators.
Jane Skelton, UK innovation director, said, “I’d like to thank our customers for being so fully engaged with the members of our team who were manning the stands. We planned the event to be both informative and entertaining. The interest and enthusiasm at each stand made the hard work we put in during the last six months worthwhile. There was such a buzz throughout the whole day and evening. I really hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we all did.”
