TOWT Sailing Cargo Ship Anemos

A New Wave in Sustainability: Wind-Powered Shipping Reshapes Wine and Spirits Supply Chain

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In a groundbreaking development towards sustainability in the wine and spirits industry, the world’s largest wind-powered cargo ship, Anemos, has successfully completed its first transatlantic journey, transporting premium wines, champagnes, and cognacs from France to New York. This innovative approach to shipping is expected to revolutionize sustainable transportation practices within wine and spirit supply chains, presenting a compelling opportunity for brands to minimize their carbon footprint while satisfying consumers’ increasing demand for environmentally conscious solutions.

The Future of Eco-Friendly Shipping in the Wine and Spirits Industry

Designed by the French startup TOWT (TransOceanic Wind Transport), Anemos represents a shift back to sailing vessels for commercial transport, leveraging the abundant and renewable resource of wind power. With significantly larger sails made from lightweight carbon fiber, Anemos can harness more wind than traditional vessels, allowing it to operate both sustainably and efficiently. While a hybrid diesel electric engine is installed as a backup, the ship can rely entirely on wind power around 95% of the time, showcasing the potential for wind as a viable propulsion method in modern shipping​. With advancements in meteorological models and routing intelligence, sailing cargo ships can efficiently compete with traditional container ships.

As the wine and spirits industry increasingly embraces sustainability, it becomes crucial for brands to consider innovative transportation methods that resonate with eco-conscious consumers. As brands explore innovative ways to transport their bottles, wind-powered shipping presents an exciting alternative that not only reduces the need for fossil fuels but also reinforces their commitment to sustainability.

How Sustainable Packaging Supports Wind-Powered Transport

Complementing innovative transportation solutions, Global Package offers a range of eco-friendly packaging solutions for the wine and spirits sector. By integrating sustainable packaging practices with innovative transportation methods, brands can further enhance their commitment to sustainability at all stages of production. Our products not only contribute to reducing environmental impact, but also provide elevated design choices which resonate with consumers.

Complementing innovative transportation solutions, Global Package offers a range of eco-friendly packaging solutions for the wine and spirits sector. By integrating sustainable packaging practices with innovative transportation methods, brands can further enhance their commitment to sustainability at all stages of production. Our products not only contribute to reducing environmental impact, but also provide elevated design choices which resonate with consumers.

Lightweight Glass Bottles for Wine and Spirits

Utilizing lighter-weight bottles not only offers a reduction in transportation expenses, but also plays a pivotal role in reducing the carbon footprint associated with the transportation of wine and spirit bottles. By decreasing the weight of the glass packaging, brands can substantially decrease the energy consumption required for transportation, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions generated during shipping.

Global Package offers a stylish line of Elegant Light bottles, carefully engineered to be lighter in weight to ensure more economical and ecological shipping practices. Available in a variety of classical shapes and colors, our Elegant Light collection caters to both wine and spirits. Despite their reduced weight, these bottles maintain the integrity and timeless elegance of traditional glass bottles. Through the integration of innovative design and materials, our Elegant Light bottles represent a sustainable packaging solution for the wine and spirits industry, aligning with efforts to reduce carbon emissions and support environmental stewardship.

Explore our Elegant Light Line of wine and spirit bottles. 

Recycled Glass For Wine and Spirit Bottles

Global Package’s Wild Glass Collection, made from 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) glass or cullet glass from recycling programs, has gained popularity in both the U.S. and international markets for its sustainability and one-of-a-kind aesthetics. PCR glass is a reclaimed glass sourced from the end-user which is then crushed, melted down, and transformed into a new bottle. The material can be recycled indefinitely without degrading in quality, resulting in a ‘permanent material’ that significantly reduces waste. 

The Wild Glass bottles maintain the structural integrity and rigorous manufacturing standards of traditional glass but embrace cosmetic imperfections, celebrating the organic beauty of the recycled material. This innovative approach significantly lowers the discard rate from 25% to 10% by embracing aesthetic variations. The manufacturing process impressively minimizes waste and creates a more efficient sustainable supply chain, supporting eco-friendly practices in the wine and spirits industry.

Explore our collection of Wild Glass by Estal today. 

At Global Packaging, we aim to provide our customers with the highest level of innovation and sustainability through our wine glass bottles and spirit glass bottles. Using recycled materials, lightweight bottles, and having shorter import distances, can all work towards reducing wine and spirits packaging environmental impact. 

Explore our glass wine bottle and our glass spirit bottle collections.

Estal Wild Glass Bottling Line Spirits

Elevating the Consumer Experience with Sustainable Practices in Wine and Spirits Production

By adopting both wind-powered shipping and eco-friendly packaging solutions, the wine and spirits industry can establish an increasingly sustainable production chain. Companies akin to TOWT are paving the way for a future where renewable energy and responsible packaging coexist. Brands that embrace these innovations not only reduce their carbon footprint but also contribute to a circular economy, aligning with the values of today’s consumers.

As the industry moves forward, it is clear that integrating sustainable practices in both transportation and packaging will be essential for success. Global Package is committed to supporting these efforts by providing innovative packaging solutions that cater to the evolving needs of the wine and spirits market.

Explore our glass wine bottle and our glass spirit bottle collections. 

The Wine and Spirits Industry’s Shift to Sustainability

As the wine and spirits industry evolves, embracing sustainable practices is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. By partnering with Global Package, wineries and distilleries can explore innovative designs that not only enhance their products but also align with their sustainability goals. To learn more about how Global Package can help your brand thrive in this sustainable landscape, fill out our contact form, email us at sales@globalpackage.net, or call us on +1 707 224-5670.

The wine and spirits sustainability trends of 2024

Wine and Spirits Sustainability Trends 2024

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The global shift toward sustainability is palpable across nearly every sector. Within the wine and spirits industries, this movement has gained remarkable traction, driven by consumers’ increasing demand for environmentally responsible products. 2024 brings about more pressure for industry to put sustainability at the center of all operations, but also provides opportunities for businesses to flourish by staying ahead of the trends in innovative and sustainable advancements. Here are four sustainability trends to keep an eye on in 2024:

Regenerative practices for wine and spirits

Recent years have seen a boom in conscious agricultural practices through the philosophy that all aspects of agriculture are connected. This philosophy emphasizes the careful utilization of land management to restore and regenerate the ecosystems and land we use, leaving it in better health for future generations. 

Regenerative principles are a push back against traditional industrial agriculture practices which are responsible for almost one third of the world’s carbon emissions. Regenerative practices promote climate resilience, ecosystem preservation, soil regeneration, and more. But it goes beyond climate impact, having personal and regional economic, community, and mental health benefits as well. 

The wine industry has begun paving the way for establishing regenerative principles, labeled regenerative viticulture, and are reaping the benefits alongside growing consumer awareness and support for the move. Wineries are able to show a genuine commitment to putting the planet and people at the forefront of operations. But the principles can be applied to all forms of agriculture, and it is only a matter of time before regenerative practices become commonplace within the spirits industry as well.

Carbon offset vs reduction in the wine and spirit industry

It’s out with carbon offsetting and in with carbon reduction measures for 2024. Credit and offsetting of a company’s carbon emissions has been considered a simple solution to a complex issue for decades. But experts suggest that this isn’t enough to curb the environmental impacts. 

Attitudes towards credits and offsetting have begun to change as they are seen as a way for companies to deflect any impactful behavioral changes towards reducing their carbon footprints. Offsetting carbon emissions should only be considered a last resort and cannot replace tangible efforts to reduce carbon emissions towards net zero. 

An organization’s carbon footprint can be reduced through the careful consideration of all areas of operation that contribute to the production and distribution of the product. At Global Package, we considered the environmental impact of our products and have measures in place to reduce the carbon footprint of our customers. We hold a large variety of domestic bottles within our expansive network of warehouses in California, Oregon, and North Carolina, which limits the freight distance, thus limiting the carbon footprint attached to the bottles. This gives you easy access to our attractive range of wine and spirit bottles, with ample quantities available to suit your particular needs, without the extra carbon attached.

Read more about our collection of locally stocked wine and spirit bottles. 

Lightweight glass bottles for wines and spirits

One method gaining momentum in the effort to reduce carbon emissions within the wine and spirit industry is the adoption of lighter-weight bottles. This approach not only offers a reduction in transportation costs, but also significantly contributes to reducing the carbon footprint associated with transport of wine and spirit packaging. By utilizing lighter-weight bottles, businesses can effectively decrease the energy required for transportation, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions generated during shipping.

Global Package offers a stylish line of Elegant Light bottles. These bottles are specifically designed to be lighter in weight, resulting in both more economical and ecological shipping practices. Available in a variety of classical shapes and colors, our Elegant Light collection includes options for both wine and spirits. Despite their reduced weight, these bottles maintain the integrity and timeless elegance of traditional glass bottles. Through innovative design and materials, our Elegant Light bottles represent a sustainable solution for packaging needs in the wine and spirits industry, aligning with the overarching goal of reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmental stewardship.

Read more about our Elegant Light Line of wine and spirit bottles. 

Wine and spirit climate regulations and reporting

Governments around the world have begun considering and implementing mandatory climate reporting for business. This will increase the transparency and visibility of the impact organizations are having on the planet and will have serious implications for how an organization is viewed by the public. It is a step towards eliminating greenwashing and provides opportunities for organizations who have sustainable practices at the core of their operations to leverage their positive impact.

Global Package LLC, has a long history of working with glass manufacturing partners around the world who are leading efforts in sustainability. Striving to be among those who led efforts in easing the environmental concerns of our industry, we have developed our own innovations in glass manufacturing to aid in the reduction of our clients impact on the environment.

Read more about our sustainable wine and spirit packaging.

Sustainable packaging for wines and spirits

Sustainable glass packaging manufacturing

Sustainable manufacturing for glass packaging plays a crucial role in the overall sustainability efforts of the wine and spirits industry. While agricultural practices certainly have a significant impact on sustainability, it’s essential to recognize that not all resources are renewable or can benefit from regenerative practices.

The standard production of glass requires substantial amounts of raw materials – primarily sand, soda ash, and limestone amounting for 95% of the raw materials used in typical glass production. This reliance on raw materials underscores the importance of incorporating recycled materials into the manufacturing process.

Recycled cullet is a key component in sustainable glass production. For every kilogram of recovered glass used in manufacturing, approximately 1.2 kilograms of virgin raw materials are saved. Moreover, the integration of recycled cullet into the production process yields significant energy and emissions savings. For every 10% of recycled cullet used, there is a 2-3% reduction in energy consumption and a 5% decrease in CO2 emissions. This means that for every six tons of recycled glass utilized, one ton of CO2 emissions is offset, highlighting the environmental benefits of cullet utilization.

At Global Package, sustainability is at the forefront of our manufacturing practices. Our green & antique glass utilizes 90% cullet, while our amber glass incorporates 80% recycled material. Additionally, our flint glass contains 65% cullet, further reducing our reliance on virgin raw materials. Notably, our Wild Glass collection boasts close to 100% cullet content, exemplifying our dedication to sustainable glass packaging manufacturing.

By prioritizing the integration of recycled cullet and embracing sustainable manufacturing practices, the wine and spirits industry can minimize its environmental footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Wine and spirit sustainable packaging

Recycling and waste reduction has been a staple in sustainability efforts for years with packaging reflecting consumers and businesses desire to reduce environmental impact without sacrificing quality. The wine and spirit packaging industry experiences new innovations, technological advances and trends every year.

In 2024, we’re seeing changing perceptions about boxed wine in an effort to use more sustainable materials, and the move to glass bottles that are manufactured from 100% PCR glass. PCR, which stands for post-consumer recycled content, is reclaimed glass from the end-user that has been crushed, melted down and used again. The glass recycling cycle can be repeated endlessly without damage to the end product. That makes glass a so-called permanent material, unlike plastic whose recycle life has limitations.

Global Package’s beautiful and sustainable Wild Glass line of bottles has become widely popular in the US and international market. 100% of the Wild Glass material is PCR glass or cullet glass sourced from recycling programs, and its production method reduces energy use and CO2 emissions.

These bottles are 100% recycled glass bottles that are one-of-a-kind, since slight imperfections in the natural formation of the glass are allowed to remain, while retaining all the manufacturing positives of automated glass, much like organic handmade art. This results in fewer discards (from 25% to 10%), since the cosmetic (aesthetic) defects are accepted as part of the organic beauty of the glass, so less glass is wasted. 

All Wild Glass bottles retain the manufacturing standard and structurally soundness of traditional bottles yet, no bottles are discarded for having aesthetic defects. This means that bottles that would usually be classified as rejects, are used and celebrated. This efficiency creates a more sustainable supply chain. 

Explore our collection of Wild Glass by Estal today. 

At Global Packaging, we aim to provide our customers with the highest level of innovation and sustainability through our wine glass bottles and spirit glass bottles. Using recycled materials, lightweight bottles, and having shorter import distances, can all work towards reducing  wine and spirits packaging environmental impact. 

Explore our glass wine bottle and our glass spirit bottle collections. 

About Global Package 

Global Package supplies high-end glass bottles to the wine and spirits markets across North America. Sourcing bottles from Europe, Asia and domestic markets, Global Package has an esteemed portfolio of bottles and packaging, specializing in sourcing and supplying glass, bottle customization, and speciality sourcing for small to large projects ensuring your product is presented affordably, effectively and professionally. Global Package has strategic alliances with innovative suppliers, designers and marketing collaborators both domestically and internationally, as well as stock across a local network of warehouses ready for dispatch. 

Please contact our team with any queries you may have about our products or services. Fill out our contact form, email us at sales@globalpackage.net, or call us on +1 707 224-5670.

What Will Affect Glass Bottle Availability in 2024?

What Will Affect Glass Bottle Availability in 2024?

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As we venture further into the promising yet unpredictable landscape of 2024, the wine and spirit industry faces unprecedented challenges that are set to disrupt the availability of glass bottles. Buckle up, because there may be turbulence to come.

What Factors Will Influence Glass Bottle Availability in 2024?

Government Duties Threaten Supply Chains

The United States International Trade Commission is likely to add duties to imports from overseas, particularly from Mexico, Chile, and China. This move is anticipated to disrupt supplies and inevitably escalate costs. The potential for increased duties adds an additional layer of complexity to an already intricate global supply chain.

Skyrocketing Freight Costs from Asia

It’s only February, and the freight costs from Asia have already doubled and European prices are beginning to follow suit. The surge is a consequence of a competitive rush to ship stocks to the United States. The heightened demand for imports, coupled with existing supply chain challenges, has led to a significant spike in transportation costs.

Domestic Glass Factories Attempt to Reduce Competition

Duties are a result of a few domestic glass factories suing the US commerce and trade commissions that import pricing is unfair. This is occurring while pricing is increasing on a frequent basis from the domestic suppliers. Not a good visual for an open market economy. In their quest to reduce competition, there will again be a glass shortage as we saw in 2021 and 2022 due to this harsh approach, exacerbating an already turbulent situation.

Understanding the Roots of the Crisis: A Look Back at 2020

In 2021, Global Package President and CEO, Erica Harrop, provided insights into similar challenges faced by the industry. The global labor shortage induced prior duties set in place in mid 2020 along with the pandemic, combined with disruptions in shipping, created a web of bottlenecks affecting every stage of the supply chain. 

The duties introduced in 2020 were over 40%, which combined with the 25% tariffs imposed the year prior caused a significant commotion for glass suppliers.

The demand for consumer goods surged, exacerbating the existing challenges. Rates soared as a result of container shortages, impacting freight costs and delivery timelines. While the 2020 duties were rescinded after a year, the 25% tariffs are still in place today. 

Harrop highlighted the importance of strategic planning and transparent communication during challenging times. “Our financial strength and established long-term relationships with suppliers in China, Europe, and here in the U.S. are enabling us to negotiate these many bottlenecks”. By working closely with reliable suppliers across China and Europe, Global Package initiated alternatives to improve production capacity and mitigate supply chain disruptions.

How Global Package is Meeting the Challenge of Glass Shortages in 2024 

As we brace for the challenges of 2024, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and adaptable. Global Package’s proactive approach, evident in our preparedness for the bottling season, serves as a model for navigating uncertainties. The importance of transparent communication, strategic partnerships, and a flexible supply chain cannot be overstated.

In a landscape where every decision reverberates globally, the resilience of the industry lies in collaboration, innovation, and foresight. As we navigate these stormy waters, the commitment to meeting customer expectations and deadlines remains paramount. It’s time to buckle up, stay informed, and adapt to ensure we can continue to provide a steady flow of high-quality wine and spirit glass bottles.

About Global Package

Global Package supplies high-end glass bottles to the wine and spirits markets across North America. Sourcing bottles from Europe, Asia and domestic markets, Global Package has an esteemed portfolio of bottles and packaging, specializing in sourcing and supplying glass, bottle customization, and speciality sourcing for small to large projects ensuring your product is presented affordably, effectively and professionally. Global Package has strategic alliances with innovative suppliers, designers and marketing collaborators both domestically and internationally, as well as stock across a local network of warehouses ready for dispatch.

Please contact our team with any queries you may have about our products or services. Fill out our contact form, email us at sales@globalpackage.net, or call us on +1 707 224-5670.

Global Package holds ample inventory of the eco-friendly and sustainably produced RUDE collection of glass bottles for wine and spirits from Estal

Global Package Exhibiting at the 2023 ADI Craft Spirits Conference and Vendor Expo

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Global Package will be exhibiting again at the American Distilling Institute’s Craft Spirits Conference & Vendor Expo in Las Vegas on August 23rd and 24th. For over 20 years, the ADI has played a major role in bringing together the craft spirits industry and has provided us with another great opportunity for us to reunite with familiar friends and get to know new ones.

Global Package along with Estal Packaging will be at Booth #206 at The Mirage Convention Center show hall. Ready to unpack the core of your brand, we’ll provide effective packaging solutions no matter your budget or expectations.

Among many of our outstanding and innovative packaging solutions, we will be exhibiting the new RUDE collection from Estal. With an eco-friendly and sustainable production resulting in an intentionally uneven and blemished glass bottle aesthetic, the charm of the RUDE collection lies in perfect imperfections.

It’s still not too late to purchase a ticket direct from the ADI to see our comprehensive off-the-shelf portfolio and customization opportunities yourself, and discuss with our knowledgeable team the packaging vision you have for your brand.

We are now preparing our calendar for this incredible event, and we would love to connect with you during the conference. If you’re planning to be there, kindly let us know by reaching out to me directly via email at eharrop@globalpackage.net or through the ‘Send Us a Question’ feature on our website. This will enable us to schedule a time to meet with you to discuss any queries you have about our products, or our range of services. We look forward to the opportunity to meet you in person.

We’re looking forward to seeing you all soon!

If you are unable to attend the exhibition, but still want to see our range including the new RUDE collection by Estal, please contact us by calling 707 224 5670 or emailing info@globalpackage.net for more information.

Global Package, located in the Napa Valley, is experienced in supplying high-end wine and spirits glass bottles to North American markets. With a comprehensive off-the-shelf portfolio, and the opportunity for customization and decoration, Global Package can assist your brand with the most appropriate solution whatever your budget or expectations. From glass bottles, bottle decorations, pewter labels, to bar top closures and corks, Global Package can assist with your project. Start your packaging journey today by calling +1 707 224-567 or emailing info@globalpackage.net.

 

 

Dozens of container ships have been waiting to unload their goods in American ports

Staying Ahead of Supply Chain Disruptions

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Story originally published on Wine Industry Advisor by Dawn Dolan

Issues with the broken, or at best, limping along chain of supply have been a reality of life for wineries during the pandemic. It appears that trend is set to continue over the next year or two. The issue is not specific to one particular item, but cuts across the gamut of wine industry products, from wine glass, to tanks, barrels and amphorae. Delays are caused by issues in Europe, Asia, and here at home with our own port back-ups and transportation issues plaguing the USA as well.

Erica Harrop, President of Global Package, LLC, says it is, “Currently impossible to anticipate how long it will take [items ordered] to arrive.” She says it is a compound problem, with a lot of moving parts. “Shipping lines moved from China to Europe due to high tariffs, and during the pandemic, but now ports on the west coast, in particular Port of Oakland, are so backed up, European container ships don’t want to come here.” According to the Port of Oakland website, only 16% of overall cargo they handle is coming from Europe.

Daniel Moore, of Wine IQ, says the backup can go even further back. “We are waiting on raw materials,” he states. “There are rail strikes, shipping space issues; everything is so backed up. I don’t think anyone has ever seen the supply chain in such disarray.”

Given the energy issues created by the war in Eastern Europe, glass factories across Europe are working much more slowly, as energy is limited. “Freight may then sit waiting at a port or railyard for up to twelve weeks due to administrative issues,” says Harrop. “There is too much disorganization at the ports, too many containers, and not enough labor,” she stresses. The best advice she offers to wineries is to order wine glass at least six months ahead.

Dozens of container ships have been waiting to unload their goods in American ports

Dozens of container ships have been waiting to unload their goods in American ports / Alexander Kliem / Pixabay

Moore is in agreement. “A lot of the winery mentality is behind the mark, and they haven’t adapted to the new normal,” he notes gently. “Before, when something went wrong, there was always another option. Now that’s not true.”

Moore’s website for Wine IQ offers an “order by” counter, so clients know when to order tanks, barrels and amphorae, which all come from Europe. “Basically, now they [wineries] need to order in the first quarter for Fall delivery,” says Moore, for any of those storage-related items.

Additionally, according to Moore, there is no projecting how high freight costs will go. “What used to be a $4,000 container, went up to $14,000 a container.” Moore is a consulting winemaker and says empathetically, “I’ve been a winemaker on the other side of this, waiting for product. It’s frustrating.”

Sadly, notes Harrop, “We have no idea what the freight is going to cost us until we get the bill.” She knows that wineries wanting to order glass ahead are not able to plan for the cost per bottle, as there is no such thing as “locking in” shipping rates at this point. Freight is such a moving target, subject to many pressures, and there is just no guarantee.

However, there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel, if it is a bit far away and dim right now. “Costs are starting to stabilize. 2023 should be better than 2022, and 2024 should be much better,” observes Harrop optimistically.

Harrop notes that in this climate of delays, planning ahead is key to successfully receiving your wine glass or whatever your order is, in a timely fashion. “People will have to be flexible and understanding,” she says. “Please be kind to your supplier!”

Global Package, located in the Napa Valley, is experienced in supplying high-end wine and spirits glass bottles to North American markets. With a comprehensive off-the-shelf portfolio, and the opportunity for customization and decoration, Global Package can assist your brand with the most appropriate solution whatever your budget or expectations. From glass bottles, bottle decorations, pewter labels, to bar top closures and corks, Global Package can assist with your project. Start your packaging journey today by calling +1 707 224-567 or emailing info@globalpackage.net.

 

 

In Their Own Words: Part Two by Erica Harrop

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As I wrote in our last WIN newsletter entry, we’ve received many wonderfully affirming comments from designers with whom I, and my team at Global Package, have worked over the years. This time I’d like to feature Tina Carpenter, founder and principal of Carpenter Creative. Here are some of Tina’s thoughts, in her own words:

“I met Erica when I moved with my husband, who is a winemaker, from Chicago, Illinois to Napa over 20 years ago. She was working with Saver Glass at the time and I had just started with Colonna Farrell Design. While I was mostly responsible for timelines and logistics, I watched her unrelenting attention to detail at every step of the process.

“Since starting my own design studio, Carpenter Creative, in 2002, Erica and I have worked together on a dozen or so projects. One project, which is still underway, has been one of the most complex I’ve ever worked on, with elaborate decoration embellishments, as well as a custom glass mold.

“The client wanted to reimagine an old bottle he had discovered, so we worked with him to create a shape that echoed the old bottle, yet was emblazoned with his own brand identity. He also wanted to create a sense of discovery for his buyers, so we designed several nuanced treatments of a custom drip bead and a raised logo crest in the proprietary glass mold.

“Erica and her team always bring uncommon knowledge and indispensible resources to every project. Even for complex projects involving many types of embellishment and variations, she patiently and expertly helps to bring the final vision to fruition. I am indebted to her and her team.”

It’s such a pleasure to work with a designer like Tina! She epitomizes the unique blend of creativity and practicality that distinguishes the best in her field. And I am especially indebted to my suppliers who are so innovative and work with great care to accomplish the feats the designers envision. After Tina and the Global Package team submitted drawings of prospective bottle shapes, these wonderful suppliers provided physical samples for us to show the client. Now in the final stages of production, we all look forward to launching this exciting new brand into the marketplace. So stay tuned, there is more to come.

Find part one here.

Global Package, located in the Napa Valley, is experienced in supplying high-end wine and spirits glass bottles to North American markets. With a comprehensive off-the-shelf portfolio, and the opportunity for customization and decoration, Global Package can assist your brand with the most appropriate solution whatever your budget or expectations. From glass bottles, bottle decorations, pewter labels, to bar top closures and corks, Global Package can assist with your project. Start your packaging journey today by calling +1 707 224-567 or emailing info@globalpackage.net.

In Their Own Words: Part One by Erica Harrop

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I’ve recently been receiving some wonderful feedback from designers with whom I’ve worked over many years, so I thought I’d share a few. Here’s one from Tony Auston, founder and creative director of Auston Design Group in Oakland, CA. Auston has designed labels and packaging for some of the region’s leading wine and spirits brands, including Dry Creek Vineyard, Gnarly Head, and Bogle Vineyards, among others.  He has worked with me for over 25 years and it has always been a pleasure to work with him.  He is exceptional at creative design and respects the input of the bottle maker, which is crucial to get a project moving forward and across the finish line. Here’s Tony in his own words:

  “Erica and I met in the early 1990s while I was working on the brand development and package design program for the former Carneros Alambic Distillery. She was t

he Brandy Maker at that time. Soon after that she made the decision to quit the production side and move to the supply side of the wine and spirits industry, starting in sales at Saver Glass. Many years later she founded Global Package.

            Erica and her team have been a valuable resource to me. As a designer, I have to consider all options available to me, so I rarely work with just one glass suppl

ier. While I sometimes may not use her glass that doesn’t mean we aren’t working together on a project. Her vast knowledge of the ins and outs of the industry is of great value to our process.

            We have spent the last few years working together to develop our proprietary custom bottle design for a new high-end vodka brand. Throughout the project, there were plenty of hurtles to clear in the engineering and production process. Erica and her team’s ability to guide us through those challenges was essential to getting a final package design that we and the client are very proud of.”

At Global Package we love working with designers who are creatively inspired, yet clear-eyed about production practicalities, and Tony is a perfect example. He is an exceptional designer and at the same time understands technical production aspects. During our most recent project together—a spirits bottle— we incorporated many elements of decoration and shape to achieve a stunningly unique package, which we’ll be able to feature when the brand launches at the end of the year!

Other similarly creative projects for the wine industry have employed many of the new glass developments Global Package has brought to the US, such as Estal’s Wild Glass ™, and the innovative Sommelier™ ring style bottle. The new Limerick Lane custom bottle is just one recent example of the sommelier ring.  We are proud of our work with outstanding designers like Tony Auston and enjoy the collaboration which brings real innovation to the wine and spirits industries!

Find part two here.

Global Package, located in the Napa Valley, is experienced in supplying high-end wine and spirits glass bottles to North American markets. With a comprehensive off-the-shelf portfolio, and the opportunity for customization and decoration, Global Package can assist your brand with the most appropriate solution whatever your budget or expectations. From glass bottles, bottle decorations, pewter labels, to bar top closures and corks, Global Package can assist with your project. Start your packaging journey today by calling +1 707 224-567 or emailing info@globalpackage.net.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Global Package’s Sue Keechler to Speak at Napa Thrives Events

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Erica Harrop, President and CEO of Global Package LLC, announced that Sales Account Manager, Sue Keechler, will be a guest speaker at the Napa Thrives Climate Action Six-Event Series being held June 7th through 23rd at the Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena CA. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/napa-thrives-climate-action-events-186579. Topics for the Series include: Saving Water & Water Efficiency, Saving Energy & Energy Efficiency, Preventing Waste & Green Purchasing, Integrated Pest Management & Prevention, and Social Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. There will be an Acceleration Gala on Saturday, July 30, at 6pm.

A strong believer in implementing sustainable practices in the industry, Harrop is a member of Napa Green and has led efforts in sustainable packaging. Keechler’s presentation topic will be “Lighten up and Ship Green” at the Preventing Waste & Green Purchasing event on Tuesday, June 14, 8:00am. In her presentation Keechler will discuss her work with suppliers of domestically made glass and competitively-priced lighter weight bottles in a wide range of styles, shapes, colors, and price points.

She will also discuss her work with Estal, Global Package’s Spanish supply partner, which is a leader in innovative bottle design and sustainable wine glass production. She’ll walk through Estal’s Wild Glass line of 100% sustainable “real cycled” glass bottles, which she helped introduce to the North American market. Wild Glass uses 100% recycled glass and its production method reduces energy use and CO2 emissions. It also results in fewer discards (from 25% to 10%), since the cosmetic (aesthetic) defects are accepted as part of the organic beauty of the glass, giving the bottles the look of handmade works of art.

Additionally, Keechler will discuss Global Package’s Elegant Light™ line of bottles, which are lighter weight bottles that result in more economical and ecological shipping.

            The Napa Thrives mission states: “The climate crisis is no longer imminent. It is here. Fires, drought, heat spikes will continue to strike our industry. Coming together as sustainable winegrowing leaders is no longer optional, it is imperative.” Harrop applauds Napa Thrives in its efforts to accelerate sustainability in the industry.

Global Package, located in the Napa Valley, is experienced in supplying high-end wine and spirits glass bottles to North American markets. With a comprehensive off-the-shelf portfolio, and the opportunity for customization and decoration, Global Package can assist your brand with the most appropriate solution whatever your budget or expectations. From glass bottles, bottle decorations, pewter labels, to bar top closures and corks, Global Package can assist with your project. Start your packaging journey today by calling +1 707 224-567 or emailing info@globalpackage.net.

The Supply Cloud is Lifting by Erica Harrop

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Thankfully, it appears that better times are ahead as supplies from our domestic glass suppliers are coming back on track. Additionally, we are seeing costs from our Asian suppliers also coming back in line. These positive trends have reinvigorated all of us at Global Package: A stronger supply side of our business means that our customers will again see high-quality products arrive on time. Coupled with our well-known hands-on quality service, we again assure customers of excellent care and attention.

The past few years have been especially difficult in securing freight from overseas. With that bottleneck loosening and now with domestic supplies becoming available again we strongly believe we are “back in the saddle” and well-positioned to ride out any remaining glass supply issues.

Our mission has always been to provide timely and experience-backed solutions so our customers have a partner that is looking out for their best interests. Over the many decades we’re been in business we’ve gained our customers’ trust. We intend to continue to expand that message throughout the wine industry.

It has been gratifying to witness the incredible hard work all of our wineries have undertaken over the extraordinarily difficult past five years. We remain committed to partner with our customers to make sure we all make it through any further challenges in the years to come.
As always, we encourage you to contact us for your glass packaging needs.

Global Package, located in the Napa Valley, is experienced in supplying high-end wine and spirits glass bottles to North American markets. With a comprehensive off-the-shelf portfolio, and the opportunity for customization and decoration, Global Package can assist your brand with the most appropriate solution whatever your budget or expectations. From glass bottles, bottle decorations, pewter labels, to bar top closures and corks, Global Package can assist with your project. Start your packaging journey today by calling +1 707 224-567 or emailing info@globalpackage.net.

 

 

 

 

Hats Off to NapaGreen for its Recent Sustainability Conference by Erica Harrop

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I was a guest speaker at NapaGreen’s Conference last week, presenting at the workshop “All Things Bottle Sustainability.” The conference featured several workshops on sustainability, with the last in the series this upcoming Friday, April 29th on “All Things Soil Sustainability.” I was proud to participate in the series and to support this important organization (www.napagreen.org), which focuses on building a more sustainable wine industry.

As I’ve written about before, our industry’s continued success will depend on our ability to combat climate change by reducing our impact on the environment, including developing and utilizing better farming, production and, yes, packaging practices. My workshop focused on achievable ways we can manufacture and package wine bottles while reducing our carbon footprint and, at the same time, continuing to innovate quality and design.

My company, Global Package LLC, has a long history of working with glass manufacturing partners around the world who have led efforts in sustainability. Therefore, my presentation focused on several ecological factors that impact the glass wine bottle. Glass weight, of course, is a top consideration when it comes to shipping, storing, and displaying wine bottles. I offered the example of our Elegant Light™ bottles, which are made with less glass and, thus, are lighter weight, resulting in considerable savings in transportation costs. In fact they are up to 20% less expensive to ship than standard bottles.

In addition, we’ve found that it’s 10 times more efficient to transport product via water than by overland trucking and 17 times more efficient than by airfreight.

Also, recent developments in the effort to decrease greenhouse gas emissions have led the Europeans and Chinese to tighten environmental controls, passing laws over the past several years to reduce sulfur in fuel. In total, according to a recent LCA- Life Cycle Assessment, there is small energy impact from the transport of glass packaging.

On the manufacturing front, it takes 1.8 tons of raw material to produce one ton of glass. Cullet, which is recycled glass, can be added in varying amounts to decrease these raw materials. Recycled cullet is critical to reduce raw material use, pollutants, and even transportation costs.

Several years ago Global Package introduced to the US market Wild Glass™, an innovative line of bottles from Spain’s Estal. These bottles are not only works of art, they are comprised of almost 100% cullet recycled glass, thus making them the most sustainable bottles on the market.

Every Wild Glass™ bottle is unique, since the manufacturing process allows bubbles, orange peel, coloring line imperfections and color variations to remain. The resulting aesthetic is an organic design similar to hand blown glass, but with all the efficiencies of automatic glass production. Because these cosmetic imperfections are not only acceptable, but also desirable, fewer bottles are rejected, reducing from 25% to 15% the discard rate at the factory.

The sustainability factor is also impressive because 100% of Wild Glass™ is made from PCR (Post Consumer Recycling) material, which comes from recycling centers. Therefore, its fusion of recycled glass production uses less energy. The PCR content means less extraction of virgin raw materials in production.

All of us at Global Package are grateful to Napa Green’s leadership in promoting and developing sustainable practices in our industry. We’d like to help promote their upcoming “Napa THRIVES” six-event series June 7 – 23. Here’s a link to the series: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/june-7-23-napa-thrives-six-event-series-tickets-289015863227

           Let’s all continue to support this essential organization!

Global Package, located in the Napa Valley, is experienced in supplying high-end wine and spirits glass bottles to North American markets. With a comprehensive off-the-shelf portfolio, and the opportunity for customization and decoration, Global Package can assist your brand with the most appropriate solution whatever your budget or expectations. From glass bottles, bottle decorations, pewter labels, to bar top closures and corks, Global Package can assist with your project. Start your packaging journey today by calling +1 707 224-567 or emailing info@globalpackage.net.