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With 3,500 years of history behind it, the basic technology for making glass containers is well tested. But the cluster of technologies used to design, mold and decorate glass jars [...]

Imagine a time when-in-a box' will carry a cachet of elegance, sophistication and impressive taste for U.S. consumers once unthinkable, that time is coming--thanks to advances in bag-in-box barrier technology [...]

Increasing interest in packaging food, pharmaceuticals, personal care products and medical devices in pre-made pouches and bags is creating an opportunity for the manufacturers and distributors of fill-seal equipment and [...]

LeapFrog Enterprises, an educational products company, has been growing by leaps and bounds. But it had growing pains with a rapidly expanding product portfolio. Also, competitors were emulating the look [...]

Thanks to recent advances in paperboard technology, cartons look better than ever. At the same time, they are stepping up to sophisticated requirements such as improved microwavability and product insulation. [...]

The factors which contribute to the success of direct marketing campaigns include their nature as cost-effective and verifiable medium. Foreign countries, particularly, newly industrialized countries respond positively to direct marketing campaigns since they require more technological information to sustain their social and economic development. Schlumberger and Magnavox CATV Systems are some of the firms involved in international direct marketing.

US marketing executives are excited over the prospects they will derive as a result of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA is predicted to increase Hewlett-Packard Co's market and services in Mexico. Apple Computer Inc is also optimistic that product sales will increase due to the reduced tariffs. Caterpillar Inc also view the open trade as profitable for the construction industry since infrastructure projects will increase.

Direct marketing is gaining popularity in the international arena. Its cost-effectivity, verifiability, improved postal service, better listings and the demand of customers are some of the reasons for its global success. Prospects from newly industrialized countries are usually the most receptive due to their need for information. Companies that have achieved success in international direct marketing include Magnavox CATV Systems Inc and Schlumberger Ltd's Schlumberger Well Services.

Advertisements featuring entertainment or sports personalities enhance their ability to communicate their messages effectively by creating a relationship between the merits of their products and the celebrity's personality. While the endorser's fame and image are critical elements, it is also necessary to observe an appropriate fit between the product and the celebrity to ensure a campaign's success. Numerous companies such as Apple Computer Inc, Sprint Inc, and Toshiba America Inc have made use of celebrity endorsers in their advertisements despite difficulties in quantifying the strategy's benefits.

Hewlett-Packard Co (HP) has begun a television advertising campaign after an absence of five years. HP aims to increase consumer awareness of its products as an alternative to the larger computer makers. The campaign is being run by Saatchi & Saatchi using the theme 'think again.' At present, a spot entitled 'The Thinker' has been shot and is due to begin airing soon.

Even as technology marketers develop electronic catalogs, industrial product marketers opt to use traditional paper catalogs. Several US manufacturers, for instance, prefer publishing catalogs in the 26-volume Thomas Register of American Manufacturers buyers's guide rather than sending them by third-class mail. Still, some others try to make their catalogs more effective through new layouts and design. Meanwhile, marketers of high-technology products continue to adapt electronic media for catalogs in the form of diskettes and on-line systems.

There are several ways of controlling costs in trade shows. Many companies limit their show participation, space rentals and the number of representatives sent to out-of-town exhibitions. Others remodel booths instead of constructing new ones. At the Autofact show in Chicago, IL, the Unigraphics division of Electronic Data Systems Corp remodeled its booth, produced a skit to attract people, printed simple pamphlets and trained its sales personnel to evaluate prospective customers. As a result, it was able to limit its costs to less than $10,000.

Big corporations are increasingly getting into in-house publishing of magazines for their customers despite the time and expense involved. Having an alternative to conventional marketing media, being able to communicate better with customers and saving on marketing expenses are some of the reasons given for self-publishing. Because some firms see advantages in advertising through these in-house publications, some self-publishers sell advertising space to cover costs. Others, however, maintain a policy of not selling advertisements even to parent companies.

Apple Computer Inc and IBM have agreed to share products, research technology and financing. The companies have formed the joint-venture firms of Kaleida and Taligent. Kaleida will develop and license multimedia computing products while Taligent will develop operating system software for next generation microcomputers that will enable hardwares to use softwares designed for other operating systems. The partnership will increase both IBM and Apple's stock values and market shares. Motorola Inc is also a part of the partnership in the joint development of microprocessors.

Mazda Motor of America Inc rewards its parts managers for demonstrating a commitment to genuine Mazda parts by awarding travel and merchandise prizes. Mazda promotes the program to counter tendencies by its dealers to sell cheaper but inferior parts from Brazil and Taiwan. The program encourages managers' commitment to selling genuine Mazda parts by awarding points according to the dollar value of parts sold.

Intel Corp's domination of the 386 microprocessor market is being challenged by Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD) and other rivals. In response, Intel is cutting its prices by 35% and is suing AMD for alleged copyright violations. To maintain its technological edge and market share in the semiconductor industry, Intel is spending considerable sums for capital investments and technology research.

Chris Hacker's vision is at once simple and complex; it's the fusion of great design and sustainability in design. Hacker joined Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies last fall as senior [...]

Wichita, Kan.-based Cargill Meat Solutions (CMS) Corp. is no stranger to the intricacies of processing and marketing meat. Formerly known as Excel Corp., the company is the second largest meat […]

Consumers of brands from a multinational company like Nestle span many countries and cultures. No one is more aware of the geographic diversity, and the myriad packaging requirements that go [...]

Peter van Stolk is not your average beverage-industry executive. And neither is his creation, Jones Soda, an average soft-drink brand. Both are fun, a bit irreverent, engaging--and very successful. Van [...]

It may not lake an air-to-air missile designer to develop successful consumer goods packaging, but it certainly doesn't hurt to be one. Jay Gouliard can testify to that. A former [...]

Chris Hacker's vision is at once simple and complex; it's the fusion of great design and sustainability in design. Hacker joined Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies last fall as senior [...]

When Oregon's Kettle Foods launched all-natural potato chips in 1982, it pioneered a product concept. But in recent years, the movement to natural and organic foods has resulted in many [...]

Sanitation, automation and operator efficiency are the name of the game at The Pepsi Bottling Group's (PBG's) New River Valley plant in Wytheville, Va. The plant, which PBG designed and [...]

Recognizing the power of the paperboard carton as a 'billboard' on-shelf, high-profile brands such as Pringles, Labatt and Friskies are turning to the packaging material, particularly for multipacks. We're seeing [...]

HoneyBaked equals ham, right? Well, yes and no. The HoneyBaked Ham Co. also sells many other meats and meal items. Communicating that to consumers, though, was a challenge the company [...]

Industry consolidation is gradually refining how personal care packagers de business and with whom. And at the same time, consumer demand for convenience and premium products is reshaping personal care [...]