Designed for ease of consumption and quick (or no) preparation, these products are usually portion controlled and designed for portability. Gone are the days when only canned and freeze dried foods were convenience food staples!
Functional packaging has revolutionised this sector and taken on-the-go products to new heights.
Supporting fast food
As the fast food sector grows, so Nampak Cartons & Labels is there to support it every step of the way.
One of the country’s prime suppliers of fast food packaging, Nampak Cartons & Labels’ customers include brands such as Chicken Licken, KFC, McDonalds, Bimbo’s, Chikka Chicken, Spar, King Pie and Tong Lok.
‘The sector’s multiplicity requires a diversity of packaging,’ notes Rob Morris, Nampak group executive – Paper & Flexibles. ‘We manufacture packaging for almost every type of fast food from burgers and chicken meals to noodles, salads and wraps. While the ability to design for on-the-go enjoyment is key, reliable supply chain performance and packaging sustainability are equally important.’
Nampak Cartons & Labels’ dedicated team focuses on developing products such as chip scoops, clams, folding cartons, sleeves and tray liners, featuring advanced printing and finishing techniques such as embossing/debossing, double coating, standard and UV varnishes, windowing and zip/opening devices.
The product development process flows through marketing, business intelligence and support from Nampak’s world-class R&D centre in Cape Town to the design and prepress department that takes innovations from conception to pre-production proofs. Brand owners are able to approve artwork in one location while plates are digitally transmitted to another for manufacture. This also applies to data supplied globally for online design approval or certified-proof generation. Digital mock-up and sample processing is equally seamless and efficient.
Providing a contingency for brand owners who don’t like all their eggs in one basket, Nampak Cartons & Labels has two manufacturing facilities – in Cape Town and Johannesburg – offering top-class lithographic printing and all the food safety and quality certifications one would expect, such as AIB (American Institute of Bakers), ISO 9001: 2008, and YUM’s vigorous STAR audit. The Johannesburg facility has recently achieved FSSC 22000 & PAS 223 accreditation.
With both plants FSC certified, board is responsibly sourced from sustainable resources. Additionally, virgin and recycled board, including greaseproof and ovenable, is FDA-approved for direct food contact.
The Nampak group’s collective buying power ensures competitive pricing and reliable supply.
‘We’ve manufactured fast food packaging for many years,’ Rob continues, ‘leading the way in developing award-winning innovations that build brands and sales. We’ve consistently demonstrated our willingness to invest in our customers and to go the extra mile to deliver service excellence.’
One example here is that Nampak Cartons & Labels provides supply chain and demand planning support through customer partnerships and national distribution networks – proven formulae underpinning ongoing success in this highly-complex and specialist arena.
Nampak Cartons & Labels was recognised as KFC’s Packaging Supplier of the Year in 2012.
