Using the latest technology in blow moulding, injection moulding and injection stretch blow moulding, they’re busy producing top-quality containers and closures, particularly for the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and personal care markets.
Container and closure design plays a pivotal role in the success of any product’s marketing, and Lapack works closely with customers to develop, trial and produce innovative packs to enhance each product’s competitive advantage.
‘Understanding the key elements of producing a triumphant pack is what makes Lapack tick – forming the basis for our own success and that of our customers’ products,’ explains Mark.
Much of Lapack’s ongoing achievement in designing FMCG packaging results from its in-house mould-making facilities, where moulds are manufactured to world-class standards using the latest software and CNC technology.
Lapack’s qualified and experienced designers, tool makers and sales professionals understand the complex nature of the industries they serve; and from the company’s 12 000m2 production facility, these experts make use of precision-built equipment to produce quality products every time.
Sound reputation for quality
As well as custom designs, Lapack offers a comprehensive range of standard bottles, jars and closures for body care products and toiletries, so that a customer can simply walk into the showroom and choose a suitable pack, without incurring the expense of new tooling.
And when it comes to product decoration, Lapack has a sound reputation for quality, thanks to its in- house multicolour Kamann UV printers and specialised label applicators, which can apply full wraparound labels as well as front and back labels.
For Lapack quality control is not an end-of-line function, it’s a work ethic throughout the company, with each team member taking pride in his or her contribution to producing a superior product and delivering true customer satisfaction.
Customers expect value-for-money packaging solutions at non-negotiable standards of quality – and that’s what Lapack is all about. ‘We strive continually to provide products that exceed customers’ expectations in terms of quality, cost-effectiveness and just-in-time delivery,’ Mark stresses.
Dedicated PET production
Lapack’s foray into PET started in 1997, when the Smith family noted ever-increasing numbers and types of PET containers hitting the market.
Spotting a clear business opportunity for this wonder material, they established a dedicated PET production facility which has since gained an enviable reputation for producing outstanding packaging, thanks largely to its close association with FlexPet in Holland, a leader in PET technology and manufacture.
‘If I could push every product into PET, I would!’ Mark declares. ‘PET is a stable and relatively cheap material. It has endless advantages thanks to its light weight, brilliant appearance, recyclability, reduced energy requirements, chemical resistance and shelf- life performance,’ he adds.
Lapack has chosen single-stage injection stretch blow moulding technology and has a battery of 20 Aoki machines working around the clock.
Converting some 80 to 100 tons of PET resin a month, Lapack has made a conscious decision to stay away from the commodity CSD or edible oil bottle markets, opting to stick to its chosen niche markets – primarily in the personal care, toiletries and cosmetics fields.
‘We’ve seen enormous growth in the personal care market, and there’s a lot more to come,’ Mark comments. ‘Even in a recession, people don’t stop taking care of themselves,’ he quips happily.
At Lapack, the accent is on using the latest technology to produce top-quality containers and closures. According to Mark there’s a particular emphasis on developing new types of packaging for pharmaceutical products. Lapack’s oval-shaped (as opposed to round) tablet container provides a point of differentiation and is proving popular in the much- traded market for OTC health tablets, vitamin pills, and so forth. The HDPE container is fitted with an easy-tear PP closure, making for enhanced consumer convenience.
And now, in keeping with international trends, there’s a move to PET for pharmaceutical tablet containers and liquid medicine bottles. ‘We expect major growth in this area when the Medicines Control Council approves South African-grade PET for certain scheduled drugs after its obligatory five-year stability test period ends later this year,’ Mark explains.
The company currently supplies tablet containers and medical bottles (for non-digestible products) in PVC, HD and PP.
Lapack supports an ongoing product development programme. ‘We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with customers in the design, trial and production of packaging that contributes to a product’s competitive edge,’ Mark adds.
The creative design team works hand-in-hand with customers to mould original products using the most up-to-date graphic design programmes, while a national sales team provides informed advice on packaging and printing solutions to meet brand owners’ objectives.
Plastic containers and closures produced at Lapack are distributed countrywide and throughout Africa by the company’s own drivers and every attention is given to product care and storage during transportation.
As Mark sums up, ‘At Lapack, we never compromise on quality and we always go the extra mile.’
Lapack
T +27 011 974 1531
www.lapack.co.za
