“Branding” is the new mantra for business. Today’s concept of branding includes more than a product’s name. It includes quality, reputation, convenience, sensory appeal, functionality, packaging and in fact the whole experience of the product.

The attractiveness of the stand-up and side gusseted pouch to beverage brand owners is based on their discovery of its effectiveness as a new marketing weapon in launching new products with dramatic results and re-energizing sales of mature product lines.

Strong, sustained consumer appeal in pouch packaging is based on distinctive features offered by the pouch compared to other forms of packaging available in metal, glass, plastic and juice or drink cartons or boxes.

Growth drivers…

The remarkable growth of the pouch is based on its distinct features, including

• Convenience – easy opening with a straw, spoil proof, ideal for single servings, unbreakable
• Functional – lightweight, portable, tucks easily into tight spaces, freshness protection, can be frozen
• Sensory appeal – product can be seen through clear or opaque film, tactile and squeezable – pouches are fun to play with!
• Merchandising advantage – wide area to distinguish product as well as display high impact graphics
• Cost – lower costs compared to metal, glass & plastic, competitive with paperboard boxes
• Environment friendly – collapsible, low freight costs, recyclable without pre-processing

Flexible forms of packaging have made steady inroads in the packaging industry for over twenty years, gaining initial strength as a result of developments in high barrier technology and reduced costs and fuelled over the years by consumer appeal as well as continuing improvements in the speed and efficiencies of pouch manufacturing and filling equipment.

The beverage segment of pouch packaging has enjoyed compounded double digit growth for almost a decade and is expected to reach global units of 33 billion in 2006, more than double 2002 volumes and making it the fastest growing form of pouch packaging.

SaddleSprings has become the largest independent supplier of beverage pouches in North America and is at the forefront of the beverage pouch segment. With unique designs and low costs offerings of both single and multi-serve pouches, combined with an ability to provide global support, we are your “one-stop shop” for beverage pouches.