Just Chillin' : MeadWestvaco's FridgeMaster takes President's Award at PPC carton competition

Paperboard Packaging, April, 2002 by John Nocero

More than ever, folding carton converters are responding to the call by packaging users for more innovation, style, graphic appeal, and functionality. This was evident in the winners of the 2002 Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) National Paperboard Packaging Competition, presented March 18 at the PPC Annual Spring Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Leading the field was MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, which took the President's Award, the top award for the competition, and also scored a first in the Structural/Technical Innovation Award category. This is the first time this has happened in the competition's history, according to the PPC.

The MeadWestvaco package is a beverage carrier/dispenser designed for Fridgemaster and the Coca-Cola Co. What makes it stand out are unique carrying and dispensing features. The strength of the handle and dispenser allow it to be carried even after it has been opened.

The carton was noteworthy too, in the execution of its design, especially for its diecuts, print quality and exact registration.

Not Just Eye Candy

The competition is not just a beauty contest. Entries must demonstrate excellence in meeting requirements for the converter during the internal production/converting process, for the consumer product company in meeting the needs of its marketing and fulfillment environment and for the retail consumer at the point of sale and afterward.

This year's judges were Todd Hansen, Promotional Industries, E. Hartford, Conn.; Prof. Kay Cooksey, Clemson University, Packaging Science Dept., Clemson, S.C.; Richard E. DePaul, DePaul Associates, Williamsburg, Va.; Prof. Harold Hughes, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.; James W. Peters, editor-in-chief, BrandPackaging Magazine, St. Charles, Ill.; Jeannie Spitler, independent designer, Lebanon, Ohio; and non-voting student judge Anthony J. Kipp, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.

Packages can receive up to 10 points for each criteria. To receive a Gold Award, a package had to receive a combined score of at least 24 points out of a possible 30 in the three criteria.PBP