Europe’s leading paper-based packaging manufacturer, Smurfit Kappa, is celebrating the success of its unique design for an export promotional pack for Grant’s Scotch Whisky. The FE flute double wall, flexographically printed corrugated pack has been named as a finalist in the prestigious 2010 UK Packaging Awards competition.

The promotional pack, which carries striking Russian graphics, was commissioned by William Grant & Sons for its Russian market and consists of an inner pack to hold six glasses and a special set of divisions to separate five whisky bottles within a pre-erected outer case was designed and produced by Smurfit Kappa Tannochside.

This pack is being sold into the wholesale market and required a cost-effective solution that not only looked good, but afforded the correct level of protection to withstand a rigorous supply chain. The customer brief also stipulated that the pack should be easy to pack on line and easy to open and close. The case is supplied to William Grant’s production line with the divisions in place.

Graham Dunn, design manager, Smurfit Kappa Tannochside, comments: “The outer case was manufactured in FE-Flute double wall material, which achieves a strong rigid case and provides an excellent print surface. The case is printed in six colours with a high-quality promotional design and is at the forefront of what can be achieved post-print on corrugated board.”

Rowan Leibbrandt, William Grant & Sons Distillers’ marketing manager – Grant’s, Russia – commented: “This pack was developed to gain us off-shelf placements – an activity we know can deliver a 20% category uplift when executed well. With the help of Smurfit Kappa, who designed and manufactured a robust yet striking pack, we added an incremental 5,000 cases to our summer business – not a period where promotional activities are usually successful. Smurfit Kappa definitely lived up to their motto of designing packaging to help their customers’ sell more.”