UK: Packaging Heavyweights Meet MPs over Plain Pack Plans

Source from:  Packaging News (uk)  02/08/2013

Former packaging industry executive Mike Ridgway is spokesman for the UK Packaging Industry Group, which includes seven packaging producers.

 

The group is campaigning against plans for plain packaging and briefed the All Party Parliamentary Group  (APPG) for the Packaging Manufacturing Industry yesterday ( 5 February).
 
The UK Packaging Industry Group includes Weidenhammer Packaging Group, Payne, Parkside Flexibles Group, Chesapeake, and API.
 
These packaging giants argue that the move to introduce plain packs could threaten jobs and increase the amount of imported counterfeit products.
 
They also argue that more than 60,000 people are employed in producing and handling products for the tobacco sector in the UK, as well as design, engineering and support service companies.
 
Ridgway told PN that yesterday's meeting with MPs went "very well". Ridgway explained that he made a presentation along with API chief executive Andrew Turner and represented six industrial packaging firms. He also said he was supported by Joanna Speed of Filtrona/Payne Security Packaging.
 
'Packaging complexity'
 
Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby, is the chair of the packaging APPG.
 
Ridgway said: "A booklet exclusively on the subject of 'packaging complexity' was presented to the MP's present."

He said that the booklet had been compiled illustrating how packaging is a barrier of entry to the counterfeiter of branded products in the tobacco sector.
 
He explained: "This principle would be the same for many other branded products and especially those that command high prices in the market place.
 
"John Noble of the British Brands organisation further supported the presentation with a section on the 'Role and Value of Branding' and how packaging helps the consumer differentiate between products, provides a basis of trust in product authenticity and also facilitates competition on most importantly ' non- price ' factors."
 
Campaigners are also planning meetings at EU level following the Tobacco Product Directive-2 which would impose further restrictions on the shape and design of product packaging. Enditem