GPI Wins Top PPC Package Printing Award

MARIETTA, Ga.—Graphic Packaging International, Inc. (GPI) recently received the coveted Paperboard Package of the Year, Folding Carton Package of the Year, and the Innovation Award at the 68th Annual National Paperboard Packaging Competition sponsored by the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC).

A limited edition cereal carton for the 2010 Olympics Hockey Shoot Out received the Paperboard Package of the Year Award—the grand prize of the competition. Designed for the General Mills® Cheerios® brand, the carton featured a complex, interactive 3D hockey game.

The company also received both the Folding Carton Package of the Year and Innovation Award for the Mars Chocolate Valentine Heart Boxes. A bag of M&M’S® or Snickers® candy was packed inside of a new take on the traditional Valentine’s Day heart-shaped carton.

“These awards recognize the unparalleled creative innovation and design we bring to our customers and to our company,” said Tony Hancock, vice president of innovation and design for GPI. “This recognition by PPC further supports our goal at Graphic Packaging to help our customers succeed in the market through brand building, brand enhancement, and on-shelf differentiation—all through packaging.”

Eight additional GPI products earned the following awards:
• Faribault Foods 10 Ct. private label juice carton – Gold Award
• Quaker Life™ Soft Bake Bars carton – Gold Award
• Snuggle Exhilarations® carton – Gold Award, Innovation Excellence Award
• Sun Detergent Barrier Z-Flute® carton – General Excellence , Eco Excellence Award
• Slim Jim® 16-count Original Snack Sticks carton – Eco Excellence Award
• Holiday 2010 Kleenex® Brand Ovals – General Excellence Award
• Kleenex® Brand Cars 2, 3D cartons – General Excellence Award
• Ocean Spray® Sparkling Juice four-pack carton – General Excellence Award

Thirty one PPC members submitted 117 packages for awards consideration in the general category, 13 competed in the innovation category, and 15 in the Eco category.