True Balance GmbH, a manufacturer of sustainable textiles and zero-waste paper, was looking for packaging that would not only get the goods to their destination undamaged but could also be used directly as a display presenter. Together with packaging specialist Ratioform, a smart solution was designed for the retail sector.
The cardboard packaging must have a high level of functionality, according to the requirement: This means that the items must be securely packaged and at the same time immediately available at the point of sale. The new packaging has to have „surface area“, as the experts say in technical jargon. „That was the starting point for the new presenters that we realised for different products,“ explains Peter Wolfrum, Managing Director at True Balance.
New ideas for an optimised packaging solution
True Balance GmbH, based in Eningen near Stuttgart, produces only highly certified, sustainable clothing, home textiles and bags. In line with its corporate philosophy, the company consciously takes responsibility for the environment and the people in its value chain and guarantees that its products only environmentally friendly materials are used and that the partner companies adhere to the highest ethical and social standards. For these reasons, it was an important prerequisite to find environmentally friendly, recyclable packaging that fits the brand and is also visually appealing.
Ratioform develops standardised packaging for its customers as well as Customised solutions that often save on filling material, processes are streamlined or, as in this case, simplified and specially designed for their use.
Together, they developed a cardboard box made from 100 per cent recycled material. The special feature is the lid, which can be folded down - rotating around the centre axis - and thus transformed into an attractive product display. In this first phase, a printed image paper was laminated onto the cardboard to accommodate product information and the logo. This comprehensive solution already impressed customers during the test phase. Small extras, such as the flap punched into the cardboard for fastening, were also integrated into this packaging solution. „The prototype that ratioform provided us with impressed our customers right from the start,“ emphasises Wolfrum.
Focus on time and cost factors
As in all industries, true balance also has to deal with price increases and customers' desire for profitability. When setting up a new framework agreement with Ratioform for these display boxes, the focus was therefore also on economic issues: How can we Improve economic efficiency while maximising benefits? How can we expand sustainability in this context in order to get even closer to the company's values?
Ingrid Maria Wolfrum, Area Sales Manager at Ratioform, is of the opinion that Sustainability does not only apply to products, but should also be strived for in sales. She understands this to mean continuously advising her customers and optimising solutions. Just like in this case. „We had just established direct printing on cardboard packaging at Ratioform. When the enquiry about the new framework agreement was on the table, I immediately informed True Balance about this opportunity,“ she says enthusiastically. She made the suggestion, print the display advertising directly onto the cardboard. This means that the laminated paper can be dispensed with completely, eliminating the entire work step, which saves an enormous amount of time and reduces costs.
The adhesive for laminating the print onto the cardboard also became superfluous, and the look impressed both the manufacturer and the customer. „This immediately piqued our interest and we received a plotted sample within ten days,“ says the True Balance boss. Since labelling the display with various certification seals such as Fairtrade or GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is an important sales aspect, The company had to seek dialogue with the certifiers. They were very understanding, as this is a sustainable improvement. A solution was found that allows both direct printing and the use of the seals. The possibility of realising small print runs should also be particularly emphasised.
Marketing and sustainability aspects
At the point of sale, it is important that the contrast of the print is high and that the advertising message on the display boxes is easy to read. The new packaging had no disadvantages in this respect. On the contrary: „The text and design are concise and clear. Dhe new, matt surface fits even better with the ecological orientation of our brand than the previous slightly glossy, laminated print. The smart display packaging from Ratioform is even more environmentally friendly and has an authentic look for the fairly and sustainably produced goods from true balance,“ summarises Peter Wolfrum.
„With Ratioform, we were able to get directly involved in topics such as recyclability, environmental compatibility, attractiveness, functionality and cost-effectiveness. A partnership-based collaboration at eye level,“ praises Peter Wolfrum. He was impressed by the proactive advice from the Ratioform account manager. „We have found a very handy, smart and sustainable packaging, We have increased profitability, and I would personally say that we have also increased our attractiveness,“ says the Managing Director with satisfaction.
