NACD honors packaging of all shapes and functions: products in seven categories receive awards from the National Association of Container Distributors - Innovations: NACD Awards - National Association of Container Distributors

Food & Drug Packaging, April, 2003

Packaging for products from pomegranate juice to hair-growing medicine received honors in a recent competition held by the National Association of Container Distributors.

The winners of the 2003 NACD Awards run the gamut of consumer goods, but all have one thing in common: Their packaging was furnished--and, in some cases, created--by distributors of rigid packaging who belong to NACD. The awards consist of a Best of Show winner and gold, silver and bronze awards for six product categories.

Cosmetics/toiletries

GOLD: Avojuice Skin Quenchers from OPI Products Inc., supplied by Alico Packaging Inc. The packaging comprises a crystal clear juice-style PET bottle, a sleek looking and functional 2cc lotion pump for easy application, and an eye-catching clear label.

SILVER: Nioxin Bionutrient and Protectives lines from Nioxin Research, supplied by TricorBraun. A ribbed oval design on both sides of an oblong bottle lends a graceful appearance as well as forming a grippable surface.

BRONZE: Gentle Foaming Hand Soap from Bath & Body Works, supplied by O. Berk Co. The trapezoidal, custom-molded HDPE bottles were given a soft-touch finish to distinguish the new fragrance additions from their predecessors.

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Food

GOLD: POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice from POM Wonderful, supplied by TricorBraun. This new product was launched in a round glass container made up of "bulbs," mimicking the look of a pomegranate, with pointed arches that resemble the top of the fruit encircling the neck.

SILVER: Ca'del Solo "Big House Red" and "Big House White" wine from Boony Doon Vineyard, supplied by TricorBraun. A special finish had to be developed for the Stelvin closure to enable long-term storage of the wine.

BRONZE: Eillien's Whole Cashews from Eillien's Candies Inc., supplied by WB Bottle Supply Co. Plastic jars from China provided less breakage, lower cost and lighter shipping weight than glass for this Christmas-season product.

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Household chemicals

GOLD: Method Dish Detergent from 1731 Design, supplied by TricorBraun. This extrusion blow-molded bottle uses an upside-down design that required a custom closure with a diaphragm valve. It became the best-selling cleaning product in the Target stores in which it was introduced.

SILVER: Spic & Span Everyday cleanser from The Spic & Span Co., supplied by TricorBraun. The HDPE canister tapers for a softer look and easier handling, with a reclosable closure.

BRONZE: Scented Oil Refill from Changing Paradigms, supplied by Kaufman Container Co. Extensive material testing and structural design work was needed to produce a bottle that fit into two kinds of plug-in scented oil warmers without cracking.

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Pet/Vet

GOLD: Dirty Dog Pet Products from Norwood Packaging, supplied by Richards Packaging Inc. This line of pet food, in container shaped like fire hydrants, has outstanding shelf presence and features a recyclable cap and bottle.

SILVER: Bio Blend Tropical & Color Enhancing Food from Aquaria Inc., supplied by Berlin Packaging. Bio Blend's packaging is distinguished by bright, attention-grabbing colors, along with colorful spoon and sift dispensing closures.

BRONZE: PRO Pet Salon Shampoo from 8 in 1, supplied by Continental Glass & Plastic. These colorful tubes emphasize how these high-end pet products mimic some of the attributes of high-end human products.

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General Industrial/automotive

GOLD: Pre-Empt Liquid Ant Bait from Bayer Corp., supplied by TricorBraun. The bellows spout on this one-gallon container allows for directional control of the product's flow, while the twist-open closure permits the product flow to be adjusted.

SILVER: Zep Antibacterial Hand Cleaning Wipes from Enforcer Products, supplied by Continental Glass & Plastic. This sturdy, injection-molded package features an impression of the customer logo on the closure, an oblong shape for easy storage and a wide label panel for a large shelf presence.

BRONZE: 3M Marine Heavy Duty Hull & Deck Cleaner from 3M/ Ceramic Ind. Coatings, supplied by TricorBraun. The space between the neck finish and the handle provides stable handling when spraying the product. The sprayer itself can be switched to dispensing just water.

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Drug/pharmaceutical

GOLD: Minoxidil from Alpharma, supplied by O. Berk Co. An overcap retention ring enabled the five different closures (overcap, primary closure, dropper assembly, pump sprayer, and pump sprayer with extender head) that come with this product to achieve mandated child-resistant status.

SILVER: Glyquin XM from ICN Pharmaceuticals, supplied by Kaufman Container Co. Glass jars for doctor samples and prescription packaging for this skin-bleaching cream use glass and metallized closures, both for a cosmetic look and to be compatible with the aggressive product.

BRONZE: Benefiber from Novartis Consumer Health Products, supplied by Lerman Container Co. The tapered container and two-sided flapper cap stress the fact that this product has lower dosage amounts than competing fiber laxatives.