Packaging
Thor Pot enhances Co-op strength in soup
Friday 01. February 2008 - The Co-operative group is using the renowned Thor Pot from RPC Containers Blackburn to provide high-quality packaging for its best-selling range of chilled fresh soups.
Manufactured for the Co-op by Pasta Reale Ltd, the soups contain no additives and retail in a variety of natural flavours. The range was re launched in Autumn 2006 to great acclaim, resulting in a tripling of sales, and the Co-op has decided to refresh the product further to capitalise on this growth in popularity with new packaging and labelling in January 2008.
Pasta Reale has used RPC Blackburns Thor Pot on other soup projects and recognised that it could bring strong functional and aesthetic advantages to the Co-op soup range. Injection-moulded in PP, the 670ml Thor Pot is tamper-evident and recloseable for enhanced consumer confidence and convenience. Fully stackable and with excellent contact clarity allowing products to be seen easily, the Thor Pot also projects a strong on-shelf identity.
At the same time, the Co-op has developed new labels to strengthen the brand image of the Co-operative chilled product range. Pasta Reale has previously used in-mould labels, but felt that a post-mould design would offer greater flexibility.
“By switching to this system, we save on warehousing and reduce the risk of packaging write-off because we do not need to store pre-printed packaging,” explains Nick Bertenshaw, Senior National Account Manager for Co-operative at Pasta Reale. “Successful logistics therefore depend on using a reliable packaging supplier who can deliver on-demand, and RPC Blackburns excellent service in the past gives us confidence that this will be achieved.”
“We are delighted with the appearance and function of the Thor Pot, which we are sure will help to maintain and develop the Co-op chilled soup ranges excellent reputation with consumers,” adds Sarah Lewis, Chilled Products Category Manager for the Co-operative.