Packaging MEA editor Ben Daniel reports on the highlights of PRIME Awards 2022, Packaging Innovators’ Success Stories session.
The inaugural edition of the Packaging Innovators’ Success Stories conference, hosted by Packaging MEA started with resounding success at Al Habtoor Palace, Dubai, on November 9, 2022. We are entering a new creative age that is portrayed by constant innovation and accelerating change. Swiftly taking thought to action is key to succeeding in today’s consumer-driven market. Needless to say, innovation is quickly becoming a survival skill for next-generation leaders.
This three-hour session was an exciting new platform where brand owners and converters teamed up with technology providers to showcase their best and most innovative packaging, developed together from concept to finish. As brand owners face multiple challenges with their SKUs, what converters and technology providers can offer together to meet those challenges is the need of the hour and suppliers of packaging raw materials and allied machinery and software providers teamed up to present some of the most groundbreaking innovations in the region and beyond.
Ben Daniel
CHIEF EDITOR, PACKAGING MEA
Hundreds of articles have been written on the best ways of producing packaging design, structures, formats, printing, converting, embellishment, sustainability, and so on. Nevertheless, while these provide excellent foundations, there’s also a thought that the best way to learn about packaging and its fulfilment is to see it in action and share it with peers. In so doing, we expand our knowledge and apply it to further enhancements to our innovations. Afterall, Knowledge Shared = Knowledge Squared (K2) The Packaging Innovators’ Success Stories event was indeed an engaging and interactive session that enabled brands, converters and suppliers to have a closer look at creativity and innovations. This programme, including a keynote address from Kaunain Shahidi, Business Editor of Packaging MEA (Contributing), was followed by nine presentations on innovations, sustainability and trends.
Kaunain Shahidi
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, BUSINESS, PACKAGING MEA
As a Packaging Enthusiast, I am excited to be part of this wonderful and burgeoning packaging industry and fraternity. As Packaging professionals, we must always be enthusiastic and this is my personal belief and so we will keep reflecting on our enthusiasm through our innovation, sustainability and also for the sake of our one and only ‘Planet Mother Earth’. On behalf of Packaging MEA, I welcome you all to this august gathering and I respect and honour your presence here and welcome you all to the third edition of PRIME Awards and Innovations. Whilst I work for Almarai, right now I am with you as a packaging student. I always believe that every day is a learning day for me as a student and if that is the attitude and approach, we all need to imbibe within us as we keep learning something new from what we do every day and contribute to the betterment of the industry with humility.
So that is my approach as a packaging student. I believe that we all stand on the brink of another Industrial revolution which could certainly alter the way we work, live and for any organisation, whatsoever organisation you belong, what may have been a competitive advantage today may over time become a competitive disadvantage if you don’t innovate not keep your mind open. All our endeavours towards innovation have been reflected in our thought process, and work culture and innovation must be an important part of the business model that we follow. I can see here plenty of professionals from senior management here who must realise with all seriousness that this requires a different approach to traditional management and strategy models, and I am proud to say that there are many present at this gathering who have done that and many congratulations and thank you so much. Now let me ask a quick question: Who can help me to explain exactly what you mean by ‘innovation’?.
Francois Martin
BOBST
My definition of innovation is to do something new which was not possible before.
Zeid Al Jehni
HEIDELBERG
Innovation is thinking out of the box since we are talking about packaging, thinking in an unusual way, thinking out of the box. I am sure we all agree innovation is not a new concept. In most companies, innovation does not come under investment and therefore they don’t talk about it in their annual reports. How can we leverage innovation? The phase that an organisation goes through continuously to do something new and different from what’s available in the market is the growth and future of that company and that is true innovation – which is an ongoing proactive action. There is no limit to possibilities.
If you see the universe and look back from the advent of Industrial Revolution 1, we have progressed to 2, 3 and now into Industrial Revolution 4 and Industrial Revolution 5 is imminent. So change is the only constant. That said, innovation is a strategy first and foremost and the act of having a vision and ability to see how something could work better mainly from the customers’ perspective. Yes, something new and something that has never been done before but what is the customer’s perspective in a way in turn adds value to the business as well. This innovation needs thought, drive, thrust and passion to develop new ideas and expand into new spaces by connecting the dots in a collaborative way. Connectivity and collaboration are very important and that’s the bedrock of Packaging MEA. This solid platform helps to connect Brand Owners, Packaging Converters and Packaging Machinery, and Software and their suppliers together so that we bring something new. As someone said, “When two minds work together, there is a creation of a third powerful mind” and that’s the purpose here that collaborate together, brainstorm and accomplish something really worthy.
In so doing, we can create something new, different and amazing and good for this planet earth. So we have shortlisted nine success stories that are unique and ultimately the value matters. The focus is innovation with sustainability in mind because recently we had COP 27 in Egypt and our UAE president’s statement really touched my heart. He said: “It is only one planet earth and it is our responsibility collectively to keep on doing something for this only planet that is Mother Earth.” Therefore, we are all here with that noble cause and will keep on contributing and will keep on doing whatsoever we can do as packaging fraternity members.