We hear a lot about planning for expected peaks in demand such as Christmas and Black Friday, but what about those unexpected peaks that suddenly creep up on us out of nowhere? You may have some contingency plans in place in the event that this happens, but if not, it could get a little crazy. Packing quality could reduce as busy packers rush to fulfil orders, processes could be thrown out the window, and so on. This can ultimately cause late deliveries, a poor customer experience and a negative impact on the environment, not to mention a shortage of products on the market.

Concerns about the environment continue to grow and with the magnifying glass firmly on packaging and plastics, it’s even more important to take some action. But with lots of different opinions and stand points in the media, it can be hard to see the wood through the trees and get the right solution for your business, whilst minimising your impact on the environment. This is why our packaging experts have identified 5 tops tips to give you some clarity on how to reduce your impact.

Like it or not, there’s no denying that we’re living through times of significant change and upheaval. And the world of packaging isn’t immune. Luckily – even if they can’t fix everything else going on in the world – our packaging experts have got a nose for what’s new; and their innovative thinking is second to none when it comes to helping businesses find solutions to their packaging challenges. Here’s what they are predicting will be big news in the year ahead.

Walkers Transport is a leading UK transport and third-party logistics specialist providing bespoke transport solutions to leading manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers and distributors.

Continuing full-steam ahead with its regional growth plans, Antalis has launched three new packaging branches to serve rising demand in the South of England, in a move aimed at helping local businesses address their packaging dilemmas.

Amid ongoing pressure to diversify their product offering, Antalis is urging dealers not to overlook the benefits to be had by cross-selling packaging to their existing customer base.

Amid the ongoing struggle to recruit enough seasonal staff over the Christmas period, Antalis is reminding businesses that machinery which speeds up the packing process can reduce the need for additional labour during the festive peak in demand.

Already the largest provider of Papers, Visual Communications and Packaging in the South West, Antalis has grown its footprint further with a new, larger site in the Bristol area. The new facility – opened in April and now fully stocked and operational – increases the firm’s footprint to an impressive 70,000 sq. ft. of capacity across its Bristol, Basingstoke and Newton Abbot locations. This move has been possible as a result of its now strong strategic partnership with Gregory Distribution Limited.

Food manufacturers and retailers looking for cost-effective and eco-friendly packaging to transport their chilled or frozen goods will be pleased to hear that Antalis now offers WrapPak^® Protector, a pioneering new thermal packaging solution.

Already the largest provider of Papers, Visual Communications and Packaging in the South West, Antalis has grown its footprint further with a new, larger site in the Bristol area. The new facility – opened in April and now fully stocked and operational – increases the firm’s footprint to an impressive 70,000 sq ft of capacity across its Bristol, Basingstoke and Newton Abbot locations. To put that in context, that is 5.2 Olympic swimming pools of floor space in the region, and is more than double the capacity of their nearest competitor in the region (who claim to hold 30,000 sq ft of capacity).