Alexir Digital – A vision turns into reality

The Alexir Partnership, and our new digital division, has become the first carton-converter in the UK to install an in-line digital solution for folding cartons when a Xerox iGen4 arrived at our factory in Edenbridge today. The digital press, with a thick stock capability up to 610 microns, will be the first Xerox digital press with these heavier weight options to be installed in Europe.

The decision to add digital print to the Alexir Partnership business has been heavily influenced by our customers who told us they needed a cost effective option to produce short runs of packaging, to be more reactive and flexible to changing market conditions. It also complements all the different arms of the partnership, from our design studios through to our food co-packing site in Uckfield.

Digital printing in the folding carton industry is a real revolution! As we know customised print on-demand is becoming increasingly popular across all packaging materials (think Coca Cola campaign with an excess of a billion personalised bottles in the market). Now all of the benefits of print customisation in labels and flexible packaging are being extended into folding carton board packaging.

With this print on-demand system we can satisfy the growing trend for short-run packaging quantities and trigger an emotional engagement with your brand through customisation and personalisation.

As a brand owner, marketer or retailer, shorter runs (and shorter lead times) can help you in many ways:

• Versioning – every sheet can be different!
• Test marketing and prototypes
• ‘Cradle to grave’ product life cycle – shorter print runs reduce wastage and storage
• Spontaneous brand promotions and sponsored events
• Increased product ranges and frequent seasonal redesigns

Would you like to know more about what digital print can do for your packaging challenges?

Click below to find out more in our digital handbook or speak to our digital sales team.

The Alexir Partnership
Enterprise Way
Edenbridge
Kent
TN8 6HF

Winners Announced – Inaugural Onboard Hospitality Awards

THE WINNERS!
The inaugural Onboard Hospitality Awards event held in Hamburg was a massive success.

The hotly-contested awards attracted over 100 entries and the winners each received a silver salver celebrating their success in eight Onboard categories.

12 judges were asked to assess the finalists based on a combination of the following criteria: first impressions, quality, durability, life span, weight, usefulness, design, functionality, taste, content, and how it adds to the customer experience. This was their final decision:

WINNER:
Great British Fish & Chips for British Airways by DHL

FINALISTS:

Fresh Sandwich Drawer by D/F Marketing
Inflight Drinks by Inflight Drinks
Lufthansa Metropolitan Box by SPIRIANT

Alexir short-listed for the Keiba large business of the year award 2015

The Alexir Partnership is delighted to be short-listed for the Keiba large business of the year award 2015.  The category is open to any large business, irrespective of sector, that is typically team managed and employing more than 35 people. There is no turnover criteria. The business must demonstrate outstanding performance in a number of aspects relating to their business operation including commercial success, clear plans for growth, commitment to staff, local communities, environment and customers, a track record of innovation and strong leadership.

The Kent Excellence in Business Awards have a high profile and winning this accolade will say a lot about the quality of our organisation and the strength of our management team. These awards attract a wide range of entries from across a variety of sectors – but the winners all have one thing in common – they are truly excellent at what they do and will prove this in their entry.

Judge Chris Naylor said “Kent is home to some of the most creative and innovative businesses in the UK. At Aon we really value the opportunity to work together with these businesses through our continued support of KEiBA and our shared passion for our people”

Client Management Director, Aon Risk Solutions

For more information on KEIBA 2015 click here

The changing face of packaging formats

Working for a busy food packaging company in the marketing department you get to see many packaging concepts winging their way from the design department through to internal sales, down to pre- press, into the factory to be printed, cut and creased, glued and nested, and onto our co-manufacturing site in Sussex for fulfilment. Every job meanders through the departments and becomes one step closer to making somebody’s dream come true. But it’s not just the big brand owners who are watching their dreams become a reality – with the advent of e-commerce, easy access to social media platforms, cost-effective web design (I could go on) and the consumer leaning towards products from small-scale innovators, the retail landscape for packaging is changing. Undoubtedly there are other trends in the food and beverage market but more and more I am seeing packaging formats being specifically designed to arrive through the post for those time-poor consumers looking for a subscription model that fits in with their lifestyle. Take for example the Graze box brand. Founded a few years back now, this brand was possibly the pioneer of this ‘subscription model’, with its range of healthy snacks delivered to the address of your choice with the snacks of your choice. We were there at the beginning printing their iconic packs and have watched this brand grow and grow – it launched into the American market in December last year and within a week the company had signed up 30,000 subscribers across 48 states. Could anybody have imagined how successful this concept would be? Quite clearly the founders had a vision and will no doubt go on to pursue other ground-breaking dreams but in their wake there are a plethora of start-ups who are following in their footsteps and adapting the model to suit their products. Take for instance a company called Cornerstone – we recently designed a carton board pack to withstand the postal system and deliver a male grooming kit which they describe as the ‘perfect shave on a flexible, regular subscription’. Take a look at their website www.cornerstone.co.uk and you will see that the kits very much depend on the frequency of shaving – very clever idea indeed and we wish them well. But just imagine how much more this packaging model can be incorporated into people’s lifestyles. The potential is enormous especially if you consider the importance of health and well-being in our society. Which company will be the first to mail out a monthly supply of vitamins for example, tailored to individual needs? Or perhaps a company in the sports and nutrition industry to mail out packs of product based on individual training programmes and levels of fitness? Needless to say there are many like-minded innovators out there who are coming up with new ideas and I look forward to them popping through our letterbox soon…..

Maidenbower United FC U18 team win

This week Crawley based U18’s Maidenbower United Football Club who are sponsored by Alexir Partnership won a thrilling and very hard fought Cup Final against Brighton based Old Varndeanians (who are currently unbeaten in the league).

After a final score of 1-1 the game went to penalties with Maidenbower United FC winning 4-3.

The match was played in front of a crowd of in excess of 100 people and took place under floodlights at Oakwood FC (in Crawley).

Alexir’s technical & product development manager, Steve King, who watched the match said “The match was played with great sportsmanship from both teams with the supporters from both clubs getting behind both teams – it’s a shame that someone had to loose. Alexir are proud to be associated with this great bunch of lads. “

For more information on the Maidenbower United FC U18’s visit: www.maidenbowerunitedfc.com

Xerox iGen provides breakthrough for Alexir Partnership

Alexir Partnership, Edenbridge

Kent carton converter Alexir is to be the first in the UK to install a dedicated digital print capability, with a Xerox iGen4 at its heart.

Alexir Packaging will become the first carton printer in the UK to add a dedicated digital press when a Xerox iGen arrives at the factory in Edenbridge, Kent, in April.

The company revealed the project at the packaging Innovations show in Birmingham last week where it captured images of customers to demonstrate how personalisation of boxes might work. However, says marketing manager Claire Summersby: “We have been looking for quite a long time, ever since we saw the HP Indigo 30000 at Interpack last May.”

That fired the enthusiasm for the potential of digitally printed cartons, a presentation to the board and the go-ahead to investigate the options more thoroughly. “The board agreed to support a project to see if there was a real need for digital printing. We spent six months researching the options, speaking to brand owners and retailers, examining market statistics and so on. Then we came back with a proposal to put to the board,” she says.

The search covered more than just the Indigo, eventually leading to the decision to purchase the Xerox machine at the end of last year. This will become the first iGen, the first digital press in the country dedicated solely to producing cartons, says Alexir. Others are using digital presses to produce lightweight boards alongside other commercial work, including both Xerox and Indigo customers, but no specialist board printer has so far taken this step.

Alexir is in the mainstream of carton printers using a pair of B1 Komoris and Bobst platens to service the food industry, with a strong commitment to developing its own carton products for customers. It has recently started to offer a food safe coating that is derived from seaweed for example.

Output from the iGen will be processed through a Kama platen which will follow the installation of the press.

The sectors where Alexir will target the press include promotional campaigns, mass customisations, test marketing. “We will be able to offer brands a full lifecycle service. It’s what customers are telling us that they want,” says Summersby. “There are carton converters with digital in the US and some in Europe, but we will be the first in the UK

“We know we will have some teething pain in terms of the finishing side especially and that the first six months will be quite tough. We are building a team of people to drive this in terms of operating the machinery, marketing and sales. Digital printing is very complementary to our business. We have long run printing and co-packing. We can now offer short run printing and all the benefits that brings to our customers.”

Story: printbusiness

Tastesmiths DIY Curry Kits

 

The Alexir Partnership were thrilled to be approached by the new and exciting Midlands company Tastesmiths to create their authentic DIY Curry Kit sleeve packaging. Alexir worked directly with Tastesmith’s designers to create the colourful and eye-catching designs of each curry kit pouch and card. The range consists of six dishes; the more well-known dishes being Korma, Balti, Madras and Rogan Josh. The lesser well-known ones, albeit equally delicious, are Goan, Makhani (aka Butter Chicken) and Presian Khoresh. The idea behind the bundles of top quality ingredients and spices is to encourage cooking from scratch – but made easy for the time-poor shopper.

Tastesmiths was the brainwave of a mum and daughter team who have spent many years together in the kitchen cooking and baking. Sally (Mum with a background in cookery teaching) and Stef (eldest daughter) work extremely well handpicking and selecting hard-to-find, top quality ingredients and spices, which they grind from whole. This quintessential duo are both highly experienced in ethnic cooking and like to develop recipes and dishes that they know work and that we love preparing and eating!

What’s more, because they hate waste, using their DIY kits means you only buy what you need to make a particular dish. These six top-selling dishes are now available from Ocado or directly from their website.

Find your favourite dish now using the links below.

Curry night anyone?

 

 

Sally & Stef, Co-founders at Tastesmiths said “This is the first time that we’ve had any packaging printed and we weren’t quite sure how everything worked. It was all explained to us perfectly and Alexir were happy to deal with our designers direct so that everything was well prepared. We couldn’t get down to Kent to watch our packaging roll off the press (even with the promise of a lovely lunch to celebrate!) so I asked if I could be sent some photos for our scrap book – Alexir were more than happy to oblige! The packaging was delivered on time with great professionalism. There’s something wonderfully refreshing about a big company that makes sure that all of its customers, regardless of size, get a service tailored to suit them. I was told that Alexir were the best in the business – and they are!”

Alexir at the World Travel Catering Expo

This week the Alexir Partnership is showcasing their unique and innovative airline packaging at the World Travel Catering Expo in Hamburg, Germany.

Now in its fourth year, the premier conference and networking forum to discuss the vital strategic issues surrounding cabin innovation, consumer expectations and strategies for profitability within the cabin returns to Hamburg, Germany on 13th April 2015, hosted by the Aircraft Interiors and World Travel Catering & On-board Services Expos.

The conference brings together thought leaders and key decision makers from the entire product and service spectrum of the industry. It is the perfect occasion to meet with your peers and network with industry leading experts and innovators, whilst capitalising on the insight and ideas presented by the foremost thinkers of the industry.

Come and see Alexir’s stand at 3F11 on the 14th- 16th of April 2015 where we’ll have on show, children’s and adults airline packaging, oven ready packaging and many other creative and innovative airline packaging solutions.

To find out more about WTCE click here

 

 

Alexir short listed for the Keiba awards

The Alexir Partnership is happy to announce that we have been short-listed for the Kent Excellence In Business Awards 2015

This awards scheme is staged and produced by Kent County Council and KM Media Group to recognise and reward excellence in Kent and Medway’s businesses.

The Kent Excellence in Business Awards have a high profile and winning this accolade will say a lot about the quality of your organisation and the strength of your management team. These awards attract a wide range of entries from across a variety of sectors – but the winners all have one thing in common – they are truly excellent at what they do and have proved this in their entry.

The awards show the passion, accomplishment and dedication of Kent’s entrepreneurs and business leaders. There is a lot to feel good about and this year’s awards will be a marvellous opportunity to celebrate the excellence in Kent business.
Geoff Miles, Chairman of Judges for 2015, said: “The passion for success that exists in Kent and Medway businesses really come through in KEiBA, it’s like a lens that allows the county’s dedication to excellence to be seen more clearly. This is a great chance to say: “Kent business means quality. We can stand up and be counted.”

For more information on KEIBA 2015 click here

Students leading fight to cut food waste

Warwick School and the Alexir partnership played a big part in a national environmental campaign with fifteen pupils at the forefront to protect the environment by reducing the amount of food being thrown away.

The programme, called “Fresher for Longer” is part of the UK’s national “Love Food, Hate Waste” campaign and involves students in ten secondary schools reducing food waste within their school communities.

The Warwick School was chosen as one of the lead schools by the programme’s organiser, Global Action Plan, an UN-endorsed environmental charity which also enlisted volunteers from packaging firm Alexir Partnership, to work with the Warwick School students on the project.

Students have investigated how packaging protects food on its journey from field to fork and they have come up with a programme to encourage pupils, teachers, canteen staff and parents to reduce their carbon footprint and also consider how to source, store, cook and dispose of food in an environmentally friendly way.

They have also come up with recipes using leftovers, provided plants to cultivate and eat and organised an online questionnaire on food waste.

Soon they will submit their work into a competition against the other schools taking part in the campaign. Josh Weston, 12, said: “It has been amazing to learn how much food is often wasted and to think of some simple ways in which to stop the waste.”

Rita Beniparshad, food technology teacher, said: “This has been a really fascinating and worthwhile project for our students – with benefit to the whole school and beyond.”

Find out more about the “Fresher for Longer” campaign here

• surreymirror.co.uk