As my friend and colleague Carl Melville has been saying for many years, packaging is the Rodney Dangerfield of industries: it just doesn’t command enough respect.

Many years ago, I wrote an article about the challenges of being a packaging professional and attending a cocktail party. I expressed that I was sometimes envious of being able to say I was a doctor or a lawyer or a financial person.

When I shared my career with new people, it was clear: most didn’t think much about packaging. Nor its role, or its value to consumers in their daily lives. Yet a product isn’t even a product unless it has a package. Most products will not be successful with consumers unless the packaging design addresses consumer needs and desires. From protecting products during transit to enhancing user experience, our contributions are woven into the fabric of everyday life. Every time a consumer opens a package, they are experiencing the culmination of our hard work and creativity.

During the pandemic, a spotlight was directed at cleanliness, sanitary design, hygienic elements of a product, easy opening, correct portioning, and a compact footprint for easy disposal.

For those of us in the profession, we knew long before COVID that packaging was an essential part of day-to-day life.

Packaging contributes mightily to health and safety—elements we often take for granted when consuming all types of products. Whether it’s food, beverages, dietary supplements, or even pharmaceuticals, we rely on packaging to deliver products that are fresh, tasty, and customized for the experiences we hope to have with our favorite brands.

As times change, innovative packaging keeps products relevant by offering consumers the type of opening and dosing that is necessary for various applications.

Let’s not only celebrate our achievements but also strive to elevate the perception of our industry. Together, we can ensure that packaging gets the respect it deserves and continues to evolve in ways that benefit both consumers and the environment.

Be proud, fellow packaging engineers! We contribute a tremendous amount to society.

So let’s wear our titles with pride and educate those around us about the significance of packaging. The next time you find yourself at a cocktail party, don’t shy away from sharing your expertise. Instead, embrace the conversation and illuminate how packaging shapes the world we live in. After all, we are not just packaging professionals; we are the architects of consumer experiences.

THEM focuses on the art and mastery of single-serve packaging, emphasizing the importance of convenience and sustainability in our designs.

– Neil

 

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