Undoubtedly, IPSA’s Gold Pack Awards programme – established in 1974 – is entrenched as the premier event for South Africa’s packaging fraternity. This year was no exception – the programme attracted 133 entries, from which the judges picked 37 worthy recipients of the golden awards; and the banquet saw some 350 formally-attired packaging execs enjoying the evening’s proceedings.
Aside from the sartorial excellence was an enormous sense of camaraderie as competitors met on neutral ground, rekindling old friendships and entrenching newer contacts. In a nutshell, the event provided (as it always does) an unparalleled opportunity for interaction along the length of the packaging chain – suppliers, packaging converters and brand owners. It really is an event not to be missed
However, for those who did miss it (and even for those who were there!), here’s an overview of the award-winners and some photographs of happy revellers. A brochure providing a complete record of winners, their innovative products and judges’ comments was distributed with the October edition of this magazine and is available online at www.packagingmag.co.za.
Newly-listed Mpact strikes gold
The newly-listed Mpact walked off with the overall Gold Pack trophy plus another six Gold medals in various categories.
The Gold Pack trophy and the Best in Category award for beverage packaging went to Mpact Plastics for its RAPPET 187ml Burgundy wine bottle, with its environmental benefits, significant cost savings and practical functionality being among the features highlighted by the judges. This bottle was launched by Cape Classics in 2010 for its Indaba brand used on JetBlue Airways in the US.
‘We’re delighted that one of our products won the Gold Pack Trophy,’ says an elated Bruce Strong, CEO of Mpact. ‘We’re proud that we have been recognised for our quality and innovation through these awards, and will continue to work closely with our customers to help them grow their quality brands.’
In addition, Mpact Plastics received four Gold medals. Three in the beverage category recognised Mpact’s preform and closure lightweighting projects for 500ml, one-litre and two-litre carbonated soft drinks bottles; Backsberg’s Tread Lightly RAPPET wine bottles; and the RAPPET Georgian Green wine bottle. In the household category, Mpact took gold for the Poolbrite Month Mate Super Plus Floater.
Mpact Corrugated was recognised for an export carton for Itacitrus Lime and the Kentucky’s ice cream freezer transit pack.
Multiple wins for Nampak
As was fitting, Africa’s biggest packaging group, Nampak, collected ten gold medals, three Best in Category awards, and the prestigious Star of Africa award.
Best in Category awards mark the most exceptional packs in the various categories, and Nampak displayed its expertise with four divisions gaining these accolades – for the Camelthorn multipurpose12-bottle carton produced by Nampak Cartons & Labels; South African Breweries’ family pack, jointly produced by Nampak DivFood (aluminium bottle), Nampak Cartons & Labels (display carton) and Nampak Corrugated (corrugated shipper); and the Keen Bumbo Baby Seat stackable carton produced by Nampak Cartons & Labels.
The group’s ten gold medals, awarded across a number of categories, underlined Nampak’s effectiveness in diverse areas. In the food category, Nampak Cartons & Labels’ Nola Bobtail carton, Nampak Flexible’s Simba Doritos crisps bag and Nampak R&D’s internally printed food can ends all earned gold.
In the beverage category, Bevcan’s full-aperture Castle Lager can, Bevcan’s Castle Lite thermochromic beverage can and Nampak Cartons & Labels’ KWV Immoya brandy gift pack brought home gold medals.
In the transit category, Nampak Flexible’s ten-litre lard dispensing bag and Megapak’s lightweight bread tray developed for Sasko also garnered gold medals.
Accounting for Nampak’s final two gold medals were Cartons & Labels’ SASRI soil sample carton and the BAT Vogue cigarette carton.
Wrapping it up for Africa’s packaging giant was the Star of Africa award for Nampak Hunyani Corrugated’s Lake Harvest Tilapia shipper – recognised as the best pack produced by an African operation outside South Africa – in this case Zimbabwe.
Hulamin sponsors Star of Africa
Talking of the Star of Africa, it was back in 1996 that Reginald Nyandeni, marketing manager for Hulamin Rolled Products, and a PACSA board member, suggested extending the Gold Pack Awards to include entries from other parts of Africa. His idea was to recognise and encourage excellence in packaging in African countries where no similar award programmes exist.
This resulted in the introduction of the ‘Out of Africa’ category in the Gold Pack Awards in 1997.
Since its inception, this category has seen continual growth and a number of winners have gone on to qualify for World Star Awards resulting in significant marketing and publicity spins-offs in their respective countries. It has also promoted the development of business links and trade among Africa’s packaging fraternity.
Hulamin has been a regular and loyal sponsor of the Gold Pack Awards and this year sponsored this Out of Africa section.
Astrapak’s stars
Astrapak received no fewer than four Best in Category awards – in the automotive category for Sasol’s five-litre lubricant container produced by Pak 2000 and JJ Precision Plastics; in the health and beauty category for Consupaq’s stunning oval tubes for Woolworths’ toiletries; in the family of packs category for Sasol’s range of lubricant containers (from five litres down to 200ml) – again by Pak 2000 and JJ Precision; and for Cinqplast Plastop’s innovative closure and spout for Cremora coffee creamer.
Two further gold medals came Astrapak’s way for Castrol’s 500ml lubricant bottle (Pak 2000 and JJ Precision Plastics), and the revamped Handy Andy bottles (Cinqplast Plastop). In addition, Cinqplast Plastop and JJ Precision received gold medals (along with other suppliers) for PP bottles for Lux body-wash products and revamped Vaseline petroleum jelly jars.
Afripack’s winning labels and sacks
Afripack’s divisions garnered a number of awards. Afripack Sacks took a gold medal for its 50kg cement sacks with nano perforations, while ACF Labels received three golds (along with other suppliers) – for Coca-Cola’s thinner gauge wraparound labels; and PET shrink sleeves for Shower to Shower and Lux products.
