UPS, Sealed Air, Smurfit Kappa and Macfarlane Packaging simplify wine & spirits exporting

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London, England

New UPS approved Spirits Packaging offers wine and spirits producers peace of mind as they turn to ecommerce to reach new markets

UPS, a global leader in logistics, global packaging experts Sealed Air (SEE), Smurfit Kappa and top UK distributor Macfarlane Packaging are today launching a new range of packaging specially designed for shipping individual bottles of spirits and wine, to help producers in the UK and Ireland expand their markets and reach new customers.

“Ecommerce presents a huge opportunity for drinks producers wanting to grow their businesses, as a fifth of alcohol consumers in key export markets are already purchasing their favourite brands online[1],” said Mark Vale, President, UPS UK & Ireland. “We designed this new packaging to simplify the process and bring peace of mind that these fragile products will arrive safely at their destination. By combining this specialised packaging with UPS’s smart global logistics network, brokerage expertise and service coverage, distillers can focus on their passion and sharing their savoir-faire with the world.”

With alcohol e-sales in the UK and Ireland experiencing double digit growth[2], this packaging addresses the challenge of how to safely pack and ship individual bottles that come in a range of shapes and sizes. It has been developed and tested by UPS, in partnership with leading packaging companies Smurfit Kappa and Sealed Air, and is distributed by Macfarlane Packaging. Alcohol producers shipping with UPS benefit from damage cover when they use this UPS Approved packaging.[3]

“At the moment, people are ordering more goods from online retailers so that they can stay at home,” said Laurel Granville, Marketing Director, Macfarlane Packaging. “There is a growing demand for bottle packs as there is a need to effectively pack and distribute these products without damage. At Macfarlane, we offer our clients the most innovative and environmentally friendly protective packaging options for their businesses and we are proud to work with UPS to offer this pack to ecommerce customers.”

There are four customisable versions of the new one-bottle packs that can accommodate most of the wine and spirits bottles on the market. The packaging is also fully recyclable. It features the Korrvu® Retention technology by Sealed Air that allows the bottle to be suspended in transparent film, the pack can be used for display in a shop or bar, or sent to family or friends as a gift.

UPS also provides a direct-to-consumer wine shipping export service from selected countries in Europe to destinations in 60 countries across North America, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Africa, in addition to its global business-to-business alcohol shipping services.

For more information on the new packaging, visit www.macfarlanepackaging.com/ups-approved-spirits-packaging. To download UPS’s full guide to shipping alcohol, visit the UPS website.

[1] Source: Profitero

[2]Source: IWSR

[3] Subject to UPS’s Standard Terms and Conditions and successful UPS account set up process for alcohol shippers

About UPS

UPS (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including transporting packages and freight; facilitating international trade, and deploying advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. UPS is committed to operating more sustainably – for customers, the environment and the communities we serve around the world. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. UPS was awarded America’s Best Customer Service company for Shipping and Delivery services by Newsweek magazine; Fortune magazine’s Most Valuable Brand in Transportation; and top rankings on the JUST 100 list for social responsibility, the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, and the Harris Poll Reputation Quotient, among other prestigious rankings and awards. The company can be found on the web at ups.com or pressroom.ups.com and its corporate blog can be found at longitudes.ups.com. The company’s sustainability eNewsletter, UPS Horizons, can be found at ups.com/sustainabilitynewsletter. Learn more about our sustainability efforts at ups.com/sustainability. To get UPS news direct, follow @UPS_News on Twitter.

About Sealed Air:
Sealed Air is in business to protect, to solve critical packaging challenges, and to leave our world better than we found it. Our portfolio of leading packaging solutions includes CRYOVAC® brand food packaging, SEALED AIR® brand protective packaging, AUTOBAG® brand automated systems, and BUBBLE WRAP® brand packaging, which collectively enable a safer, more efficient food supply chain and protect valuable goods shipped around the world. Sealed Air generated $4.8 billion in sales in 2019 and has approximately 16,500 employees who serve customers in 124 countries. To learn more, visit www.sealedair.com.

About Smurfit Kappa

Smurfit Kappa, a FTSE 100 company, is one of the leading providers of paper-based packaging solutions in the world, with approximately 46,000 employees in over 350 production sites across 35 countries and with revenue of €9.0 billion in 2019. We are located in 23 countries in Europe, and 12 in the Americas. We are the only large-scale pan-regional player in Latin America.

With our pro-active team, we relentlessly use our extensive experience and expertise, supported by our scale, to open up opportunities for our customers. We collaborate with forward-thinking customers by sharing superior product knowledge, market understanding and insights in packaging trends to ensure business success in their markets. We have an unrivalled portfolio of paper-packaging solutions, which is constantly updated with our market-leading innovations. This is enhanced through the benefits of our integration, with optimal paper design, logistics, timeliness of service, and our packaging plants sourcing most of their raw materials from our own paper mills.

Our products, which are 100% renewable and produced sustainably, improve the environmental footprint of our customers. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or visit www.smurfitkappa.com

About Macfarlane Packaging 

Macfarlane Group PLC is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: MACF) in the Industrials Sector. The company has more than 70 years’ experience in the UK packaging industry.

Macfarlane Group’s businesses are:

  • Macfarlane Packaging is the leading UK distributor of a comprehensive range of protective packaging products.
  • Labels designs and prints high quality self-adhesive and resealable labels, principally for FMCG companies.
  • Packaging Design and Manufacture specialises in designing and producing protective packaging for high value, fragile products.

Macfarlane Group is headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland, and employs over 800 people at 29 sites, principally in the UK and Ireland. The company has 20,000+ customers in the UK, Europe and the USA providing 600,000+ lines to a wide range of industry sectors including: consumer goods; food manufacturing; logistics; internet retail; mail order; electronics; defence and aerospace.