CROWN Wins Top Prize And Two Gold Awards In Starpack 2010 Competition For Cutting-Edge Technology And Design
CROWN Bevcan Europe and Middle East, a division of Crown Holdings, Inc. (Crown), was honored at the Starpack 2010 Industry Awards with the Starpack Champion, the event's lead prize, and a Gold Award for innovative beverage packaging. CROWN Speciality Packaging Europe, also won a second Gold Award in this year's event for distinctive packaging. For more information, visit www.crowncork.com
CROWN Bevcan Europe and Middle East was recognized with the event's overall top honor and a Gold Award in the Alcoholic Beverage category for its new Event Can featuring a full aperture end. This technology was recently launched on the Castle Lager brand from SABMiller plc's subsidiary, The South African Breweries Limited (SAB Ltd), at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. A combination of Crown's food and beverage packaging technology was used to create this unique innovation, which is the first full aperture end available for pressurized products. Comments from the judges described the can as "A breakthrough innovation" that "makes drinking from the can a new pleasurable experience" as well as "practical and time saving for event bars."
The new full aperture end allows the entire can lid to be removed, turning the can itself into a drinking cup and providing an exciting alternative to traditional cans and glass bottles that are prohibited at stadiums and arenas. For beverage manufacturers, the full aperture end presents significant branding opportunities at big events as consumers can carry around the can and interact with the brand. It also streamlines the serving process by eliminating the need for pouring beverages into plastic cups.
CROWN Speciality Packaging Europe also received a Gold Award in the Consumer category for the innovative tin package it developed for the Bosch IXO 4 Cordless Power Tool. This modern metal package combines elegant decoration with convenient design and performance. A combination of Crown's embossing and de-bossing decorative technology is used to create a differentiated package that makes the tin easily recognizable on the shelf. Comments from the judges described the tin as " A good quality tin with good embossing", "very innovative" and "fantastic after use".
The tin features a wave-like design separating the body of the container from the uniquely shaped lid. Once opened, the customer can easily access the tool and its accessories. The Bosch logo is embossed on the front of the tin next to a picture of the power tool itself, representing a seal of quality for the product. The other side of the tin features information for the consumer in detailed text, which is enhanced by the contrast of color from the shiny metal surface of the tin. In addition to attractive design, the metal tin ensures full protection of the product thanks to inserts that support it during transport.
These two developments from Crown show that innovation and sustainability can go hand-in-hand. Metal is 100% recyclable and permanently re-usable without any loss of or alteration in quality. In addition, the Bosch IXO 4 Cordless Power Tool tin can be used for product storage to eliminate waste, while the full aperture end for beverage cans removes the need for cups.
"Helping our customers differentiate their brands with distinctive and functional packaging is our main objective at Crown, and we're honored that this was recognized with two Gold Starpack Awards and the event's top honor," said Chris Homfray, President, CROWN Europe. "Throughout our history, we have a track record of bringing innovation to consumer product goods companies for added shelf appeal and brand loyalty. And now, with our latest technologies, we are partnering with manufacturers to boost their brands not only on the retail shelf but also at large events."
The Starpack Industry Awards is the UK's premier awards program and has been running since 1960. Held annually, it recognizes innovation in packaging design and technology with separate awards groups for industry, students and schools.
SOURCE: Crown Holdings, Inc.