Packaging firms enter the Lion’s Lair at Packaging Innovations

Patent-pending technology, personalised packaging, management services and foam-based rPET trays are this year's products being pitched in the Lions' Lair competition, during Packaging Innovations NEC, on Thursday 27 February at 2pm in the International Brand Summit Theatre.

Four brave exhibitors will pitch their latest innovations to a panel of fierce packaging experts (The Lions). This year's lions include Neil Richards, Senior Development Manager, at The Body Shop, and Steve Jackson, Packaging Development Manager, at Morrison Supermarkets PLC who will be putting them through their paces as they quiz each contestant about their latest innovation. Visitors at the show will also have a chance to grill the brave exhibitors and vote for their winning product.

First into the Lair will be Graphic Measures International, who will be using the competition as a launch-pad for its UK/Europe operation. Having already proven popular with some of the biggest retail corporations in the USA, it is certainly hoping to 'woo' the judges with its Global Packaging Quality Management package, by offering independent testing, inspection and quality management services for Print and Packaging companies.

Getting personal with the judges will be Sharp Iris, as it enters the Lair with Smartflow, a new system that allows consumers to order a product, personalise the packaging and receive it direct to their door. Smartflow produces printable artwork linked with variable data to print personalised packaging. The communication loop can then be completed by consumers feeding back to brands/retailers their thoughts on the packaging via social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook.

Nulogy will be pitching PackManager™. Patent-pending technology that manages the entire contract packaging workflow, from quoting and planning to production all the way to reporting and invoicing. Nulogy hopes that this end to end solution with integrated modules for a seamless workflow, and cloud computing will be enough to win the judges over.

Also hoping to impress the judges is Holfeld Plastics with rPETeCO a new range of foam based rPET trays for the meat, poultry, fish and fresh produce markets with wider applications in the airline catering, bakery, games and perfumery sectors. rPETeCO is lightweight - specific gravity is reduced from 1.33 to 1.05 - resulting in rPETeCO trays being 20% lighter than virgin PP trays.

The winning company will be awarded The Lions' Lair accolade and the results will be announced at the show once all the votes have been counted.

Packaging Innovations will also feature 50 free-to-attend learnShops seminars spanning every aspect of packaging and print delivered by world-class experts. Show favourites: The BIG Packaging Debate will take place on the first day of the show, Wednesday 26 February at 3.30pm. The panel of packaging professionals will be debating the topic: 'Packaging - designed for the consumer or designed for the supply chain? '. The BIG Print debate, will take place on Thursday 27 February at 1.30pm and will be discussing: 'The latest print technologies: gimmick or sound ROI?'

The 2014 event will feature seven co-located shows: Packaging Innovations, Ecopack, Contract Pack, Packtech, Print Innovations, Labelling Innovations and Converting Innovations.

Visitor registration is free and now open via the Packaging Innovations website