In an article for Duty Free News International (DFNI), MSX Business Development Director, Peter Blatch, discusses the importance of distribution, consumers and personality when it comes to packaging for beers, wines and spirits.
When it comes to packaging innovation, beers, wines and spirits are each influenced by different things. For beers, packaging innovation is generally driven by the challenges of shipping and storage. For wines, increased consumer knowledge and popularity is what creates change. For spirits, it’s personality and heritage that is increasingly important.
Recent packaging innovation in beers has come as a result of the practicalities of distributing and storing. Until the introduction of one-way kegs, brewers would ship beer using heavy, cumbersome steel kegs, which would need to be sorted, containerised and then shipped back. The problem with steel kegs is that whether they are full or empty, they take up the same amount of space.
For cruiseships, where space is such a premium, it makes sense to use one-way kegs. They not only make restocking at sea easier, as you can stack them closer together and don’t have to worry about moving heavy kegs from one area to another, but you also don’t need to ship back the empties.
Other benefits of one-way kegs are that they are generally smaller in size, easier to handle and cheaper to ship because their lighter weight reduces fuel costs. Also, because of their composition, you can get a lot more onto a pallet, and can install them in places where you might struggle to fit a conventional steel keg. There is also no double handling, which can be time consuming, particularly for operators. When steel kegs are sent back to us, generally they arrive unsorted. We then have to sort them to ensure the right kegs are sent back to the right brewers to be cleaned and reused.
With their advantages both many and clear, many beer manufacturers have adopted one-way kegs. The challenge at the outset was producing them cost effectively. Development costs were high and brewers had to factor in the problem that they couldn’t be reused. Being a developing technology, the economies of scale wouldn’t be felt immediately, so not all one-way kegs could compete with steel kegs at the start. What changed this is some larger brewers saw the potential and long-term benefit of the concept and invested in the technology.
For wines, packaging is influenced by consumers. As a result of wines increasing popularity, particularly Prosecco, and consumers increasing awareness of how they drink it, we have seen a reduction in demand for bag in the box. The changing nature of the product has also played a part too.
For example, New World wine is made to be consumed soon after it’s purchased. Generally, they are younger, fresher wines that are made to be drunk now. With these wines, which are more likely not to be laid down and kept for any length of time, we have seen the introduction of screw-top bottles to overcome the problem of corking. However, most Old World wines use corked bottles, as there is still a view that traditional cork closures are more premium than screw-top bottles plus, for special occasions, many still enjoy the satisfying ‘pop’ a cork bottle makes.
The evolution of packaging in the spirits market has always been about better conveying the authenticity and heritage of the brand. They are looking to demonstrate an authentic product with a bit of a story, and consumers want to know more about the product when they pick it up off the shelf.
As an example, with the recent development in the gin category, we are seeing consumers wanting to find out how it’s made and where it comes from. There is an increasing number of heritage cues on spirit products, with consumers looking for that endorsement, and for that personality.
Beers, wines and spirits packaging will continue to be driven by supply and demand, coupled with advances in packaging technology and reducing environmental impact, but at the very core of decision making will always be the product itself.
Article credit: DFNIonline.com – https://www.dfnionline.com/comment-insight/comment-packaging-innovation-matters-liquor-category-03-12-2018/
Macintyre Scott Xtra (MSX), a leading UK specialist in bonded warehousing, is delighted to announce a management buyout by its senior management team.
The new owners of MSX will comprise: Peter Blatch, business development director; Rob Glanville, operations director; and Mark Pullen, finance director.
Starting in the industry in 1974, and owned by the Ridges-Jones family for nearly 35 years, MSX established its reputation as a pioneering distributor of beers, wines, spirits and confectionary in the travel retail industry.
Nicola Ridges-Jones became managing director of MSX in 2004 after the company was left to her following the death of her father. Nicola’s leadership, combined with the support of her management team, has seen the business go from strength to strength.
Speaking about the announcement, Nicola Ridges-Jones, said:
“Being a family business, MSX has always been a huge part of my life. When my father died, my driving ambition was always to make MSX the best in class as a tribute to him.
“I know that I am leaving MSX in the capable hands of the executive management team that I have worked with for a long time. They have been instrumental in helping me grow the business to the success it is today. I have complete confidence that Peter, Rob and Mark will build on this strong position and take MSX even further.”
In 2010, Rob Glanville joined MSX as operations manager and oversaw its relocation to a new, larger warehousing premises in Hampshire that doubled the size of its operational capability.
Shortly after the relocation in 2011, the company rebranded to MSX and Peter Blatch joined as business development manager. Peter was successful in helping the business grow by capitalising on its increased warehousing capacity.
In 2012, Mark Pullen joined the executive team as its new finance controller. A qualified chartered accountant, Mark played a significant strategic role in supporting the company’s growth plans.
Peter Blatch, business development director, said:
“For our clients, suppliers and staff it’s business as usual, only more so. Rob, Mark and I have enjoyed helping Nicola grow MSX together and are delighted that she has trusted us to take the company forward.
“In terms of what’s next for MSX, we want to re-energise the company, grow our market share and continue developing our new luxury goods category we launched in 2016. Innovation has always been key to our growth, so it’s important that we continue to anticipate trends within our market so that we can continue to deliver the exceptional service that our customers have come to expect.”
Major brands and international companies trust MSX to handle their complex and diverse requirements for storage under bond, stock management and product consolidation in its secure state of the art warehouse facility, as well as taking care of their transport and logistics needs.
Based in Hampshire, notable clients include World Duty Free, NAAFI, Carnival UK (Cunard & P&O Cruises), Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Fred Olsen, Brittany Ferries, P&O Ferries and Condor Ferries.
Macintyre Scott Xtra (MSX), a leading UK specialist in bonded warehousing, has expanded its luxury goods service with the exciting addition of Tyko Brands; to include its Hippie Chic fashion watches and accessories, breo sunglasses and Kartel wristwatches.
MSX is responsible for warehousing and logistics to the UK, Europe, Middle East and Asia for the Tyko Brands, which predominantly includes the popular Hippie Chic range of boho inspired watches and its on-trend accessories including necklaces, bracelets, hats, earrings and sunglasses.
Nicola Ridges-Jones, managing director of MSX, said: “We launched our luxury goods service in December 2016, and Tyko Brands is a fantastic addition. Each of the brands have their own individual style and are offered at a great price.”
Alison Fishwick, managing director at Tyko Brands, said: “MSX was the perfect fit for Tyko as the team already deal with many of our customers, plus they are incredibly flexible in their approach to meet our requirements.”
Other household names MSX works with in the luxury goods sector include Benefit, Elizabeth Arden, L’Oreal and Sekonda.
MSX, which established its reputation as a pioneering distributor of beers, wines, spirits and confectionary in the travel retail industry, has been providing its bespoke service for over 35 years.
Major brands and international companies trust MSX to handle their complex and diverse requirements for storage under bond, stock management and product consolidation in its secure warehouse facility, as well as transport and logistics.
Based in Hampshire, notable clients include Dufry, Carnival UK (Cunard & P&O Cruises), Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Fred Olsen, Brittany Ferries, P&O Ferries and Condor Ferries.
Macintyre Scott Xtra (MSX) is celebrating its success after gaining a coveted AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) accreditation from the HMRC.
AEO status is an internationally recognised endorsement indicating that MSX’s role in the international supply chain is secure, and that its customs controls and procedures are both highly efficient and compliant.
The certification from HMRC gives quicker access for MSX to certain simplified customs procedures and in some cases the right to ‘fast-track’ its shipments through some customs, safety and security procedures.
Nicola Ridges-Jones, managing director of MSX, said: “We are all delighted. We’ve worked incredibly hard to achieve this accreditation from HMRC and I personally would like to thank the team for all their hard work. It’s the icing on the cake!”
Nicola continues: “This really sets us apart from our main competitors. AEO status is a voluntary compliance, which is not easy to obtain. It shows that we’re meeting the highest compliance standards in all aspects of our operations.”
MSX is a leading UK specialist in bonded warehousing, logistics and distribution for the travel retail industry to high profile customers including airports, airlines, cruise ships and ferry operators in the UK, Europe and beyond.
Based in Hampshire, notable clients include Dufry, Carnival UK (Cunard & P&O Cruises), Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Fred Olsen, Brittany Ferries, P&O Ferries and Condor Ferries.
Macintyre Scott Xtra (MSX), leading specialist in bonded warehousing, is celebrating working with Brittany Ferries for 30 years.
Read more: MSX celebrates 30 years working with Brittany Ferries
