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Welch's Plastic Can Recognized For Innovative Packaging
Awarded "Best Overall Package" by Refrigerated & Frozen Foods
CONCORD, Mass (February 8, 1999) – Welch’s, the world’s leading producer of Concord and Niagara grape-based products, today announced that its new plastic frozen juice can has been awarded "Best Overall Package" by Refrigerated & Frozen Foods magazine. The new container has also been named as the first recipient of the "Design for Recyclability" award by the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR).
Microwaveable, recyclable and easy to open, Welch’s patented plastic can provides consumers with a convenient way to get frozen juice products from package to pitcher in less than two minutes. The new container marks the first packaging innovation for the frozen juice concentrate market since the introduction of the peel strip over 20 years ago.
"We are thrilled to be recognized as a leader in the frozen food industry by Refrigerated & Frozen Foods and are proud to be the recipient of this year’s ‘Best Overall Package," said Marion P. Williams, senior vice president of Technology at Welch’s. "We have received an overwhelmingly positive response to the new plastic can from consumers for its fast, convenient and affordable solution to making juice from concentrate."
Refrigerated & Frozen Foods magazine’s second annual "Best Packaging" awards recognize industry leaders in six refrigerated and frozen food categories. Welch’s was announced as this year’s overall winner for its high-density, polyethylene and easy-to-open can in the publication’s January 1999 issue.
"With its new, economical, leak-resistant and all-plastic can, Welch’s has achieved a breakthrough in industry packaging," said Bob Garrison, editor of Refrigerated & Frozen Foods. "The design is an intelligent concept that demonstrates a trend in modern food packaging and should help to increase consumer traffic and sales in today’s frozen case."
The new plastic can was jointly developed by Welch’s and Graham Packaging, a leading global producer of custom, blow-molded plastic containers. "We at Graham Packaging are pleased and gratified by the presentation of this award to Welch’s," said Roger Prevot, senior executive vice president and general manager for Graham’s Food & Beverage Business Unit. "We are proud to have worked in partnership with Welch’s in the development of the plastic frozen-juice can."
Headquartered in York, Pa., Graham Packaging operates a total of 49 facilities in 10 countries, including Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. Graham’s U.S. food and beverage unit is the number-one supplier of plastic containers to the juice industry.
Welch’s plastic can also received the APR’s "Design for Recyclability" award on January 15, 1999. Announced in November 1998, the APR award program was established to recognize companies that have made significant modifications to the recyclability of their containers. Welch’s was recognized for its decision to convert from a non-recyclable package to a recyclable package.
Welch’s is the world’s leading marketer of Concord and Niagara grape-based products, including grape juice and jelly. The company produces a variety of other fruit-based products, including 100 percent juices and juice cocktails in the following forms: bottled, refrigerated, single-serve, and frozen and shelf-stable concentrates. In addition, Welch’s produces a number of fruit spread products. Welch’s web site can be found at: www.welchs.com.
About APR
The Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers is comprised of 40 companies who acquire, reprocess and sell post-consumer plastics. Its membership includes independent recycling companies of all sizes and the recycling divisions of several major resin suppliers. It strongly advocates the recycling of all post-consumer plastic bottles.
About Refrigerated & Frozen Foods
Refrigerated & Frozen Foods magazine provides industry information for the management, marketing, production and technology employees of frozen food processors. Published monthly by Medical World Communications, the publication features information concerning the consumer and business trends affecting the dairy/beverage prepared foods industry and monitors technological advances.