2021 Annual ADI Craft Spirits Conference & Vendor Expo

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Global Package is excited to announce that we will be an exhibitor in Exhibitor Booth #306 at this year’s ADI Craft Spirits Conference & Vendor Expo, the largest market of distilling supplies and services in the world.

We will be exhibiting our outstanding and innovative packaging solutions in bottles for spirits and wine, customized molds and decorations, pewter labels, closures and cork stoppers, boxes and shippers, as well as our specialty range including sustainable, natural glass bottles.

Whether you have an established brand, or launching a new product, Global Package offers a comprehensive off-the-shelf portfolio, and innovative proprietary glass, as well as the opportunity for cost-effective customization and decoration, allowing your brand the most appropriate solution whatever your budget and expectations.

President and founder Erica Harrop will be in attendance, and has been involved in the packaging industry for over 30 years. Erica’s vast experience and passion for exceptional design, packaging and customer service can fulfil your brand’s packaging needs. Also in attendance will be Hunter Harris (Sales Manager) and Daniel Harrop (Customer Service), whose industry experience and expertise across our extensive range will assist all your packaging requirements. Discover the value-added benefits of working with experienced professionals within the packaging industry.

The expo is held in Louisville, Kentucky at the Kentucky International Convention Center from August 23 to 25, 2021. Global Package will be available on the expo floor in Exhibitor Booth #306 from 1pm-8pm on the 23rd, 10am to 6:30pm on the 24th, and 2pm – 3pm on the 25th.

Crafting Unique and Sustainable Bottles With Erica Harrop of Global Package

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The podcast Legends behind the Craft, hosted by Drew Hendricks, delves into the world of craft beverages. Drew interviews top leaders in the wine and craft beverage industry. Drew is the president of Barrels Ahead, a marketing agency specializing in Web Design, SEO, and PPC within the wine and craft spirits industry. 

This week’s episode features Global Package LLC President and CEO Erica Harrop, to find out more about the bottle-making process. Her expertise is invaluable as they cover topics such as sourcing, the evolution of the industry, and how Global Package customizes their bottles. They also dive into “wild glass” and what it means for sustainability in the world of glassmaking, and designing environmentally-friendly glass and packaging. 

You will also learn how Erica transitioned from winemaking to glass, what inspires her, and how Global Package is set apart from the rest of the industry. 

You can listen to the podcast here. 

 

 

Global Package: Meeting Shipping and Glass Shortage Challenges

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Global Package LLC President and CEO, Erica Harrop, has announced that despite the chaos in global shipping and short supplies in glass her company is still meeting customer expectations and deadlines. “These are scary times for the industry,” says Harrop , “but 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, which are a result of many factors.”

Those factors have converged to impact every aspect of supplying the industry. First, was Covid-19, which forced workers to stay home, creating a global labor shortage. In fact, new outbreaks and closures in China are threatening an early recovery. A piece on the TricorBraun website explains:

“A significant increase in demand for consumer goods coincided with labor and capacity shortages due to the pandemic and has caused a situation of intertwined bottlenecks of port congestion, vessel shortages, equipment shortages, chassis shortages, rail shortages, and truck shortages. There is not enough capacity to move cargo in need of transportation.”

Another good article, in Bloomberg Business, adds that rates are being driven to record highs as a result of a dearth of containers:
“Trying to make all those deliveries on time meant that many vessels started making their return journeys empty, saving a few precious hours that would normally be spent picking up vacant boxes to ship back to China. That’s resulted in a glut of containers in European and North American ports and a shortage in Asia, pushing freight rates to astronomical levels on export routes. Those high prices — and the sharp differentials with the cost on the return route — can be seen as price signals that will push the industry to rebalance itself.

The factors that have driven Asia-Europe container rates to record levels of more than $10,000 per 40-foot box aren’t simply a temporary coordination problem. Returning to a semblance of normality could take years.”

According to Harrop, while these factors are influencing pricing and delivery, Global Package has been able work around many of these issues by working with dependable suppliers who are on the front lines in China and Europe and who are initiating alternatives to loosen bottlenecks and improve production capacity, as well as opening up domestic supplies.
“It’s important for us to be as transparent as possible during these trying times,” says Harrop. “Global package anticipated many of the Covid-related shortages prior to the Suez and other shipping obstacle in the past year. So we increased our inventory—and continue to regularly ship from Europe—to now have in place supplies for our wineries and distilleries that can meet seasonal needs. In short, Global Package is proud to be one of the most flexible glass suppliers in America.”

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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.

WBM’s “Savvy Packaging” Article Describes Exactly – What Global Packaging Is All About – By Erica Harrop

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I read with interest the Wine Business Monthly piece in the April issue, “Savvy Packaging Makes Budget-Price Wines Appear a Great Value,” because the points raised precisely describe in important aspect of Global Package’s mission …packaging that’s both exceptional and economical. A prime example is our Elegant Light™ line of bottles: they are lighter weight, thus reducing shipping costs, and come in classic shapes and colors, thus reinforcing a high-quality perception for brands.

Another example is our wide selection of pewter and gold-foil labels, which were mentioned by Affinity Creatives’ Ed Rice in the article: “The value consumer actually appreciates some of these extra design cues …such as gold coloring, a crest or even a cartouche.” You can save with a lighter-weight bottle and still add considerable shelf appeal with a judicious use of decoration and a quality-embuing label. Global Package’s decades-long partnership with pewter label maker, Etiq’Etains—the French manufacturer that is known worldwide for innovative and beautiful tin, pewter, labels—gives us important leverage when purchasing pewter, tin, and gold-foil labels.

Pewter Labels

These custom self-adhesive labels are supple and are easily applied as either single pieces or supplied on a reel, both with self-adhesive backing. You can choose pewter labels in three distinct categories—Natural (silver), Luxury (gold, bronze, copper), and Modern (many colors, including blue, red, yellow, green, brown, black). And they can be 2-dimensional designs in relief or hollow; 3-dimensional sculptural patterns, total metalizing designs, or metalizing motifs in relief. They can be applied to any surface, including glass, ceramic, even wood and cardboard, and they are lead-free and come in a range of styles and colors to help products stand out on the shelf. They are a great way to customize a lower-cost bottle in smaller runs.

Custom crests were also mentioned in the article, which is another way to boost the perception of high quality, as do cartouches and medallions. Global Package’s long-term alliances with bottle suppliers enable us to add these decorative enhancements at reasonable prices. So don’t make the mistake of thinking these touches are too expensive. They can be cost-effective when everything is factored in.

Finally, larger fonts were suggested in the article as a way to grab attention. We offer another, more provocative suggestion …a unique bottle shape. Check out our website

(www.globalpackage.net) for recent bottle innovations like Estal’s DobleAlto™ and the Sommelier Mouth bottles. It you’re looking for further inspiration, our Wild Glass™ line combines sustainability with a gorgeous aesthetic for a truly unique look.

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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 Elegant Light™ Bottles Get High Marks for Design, Sustainability, and Affordability

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A couple of months ago Global Package reported the end of last year’s US International Trade Commission’s (USITC)  antidumping duty, which returned favorable pricing for Global Package’s Elegant Light™ line of bottles. Now, with new shipping challenges facing imported European glass, these bottles have become even more in demand.

“With fully stocked warehouses we are perfectly positioned to meet these challenging times,” says Erica Harrop, Founder and CEO of Global Package LLC. “Since 2008, our strong alliances with glass factories in China have enabled us not only to help design the European-style Elegant Light™ line, but also to work toward lighter weights that would reduce shipping costs, as well as to achieve a more sustainable line of bottles at affordable pricing. Today, we have achieved all three goals.”

According to Harrop, the Elegant Light™ bottles are always in stock and include nine shapes that are distinctive for their larger, straight-line necks and voluptuous curves. Included in the line is the recently introduced Bordelais Fiona Carrée bottle, which has the look of a heavier reserve bottle and features an elegantly tapered body, deep punt, and larger neck for bottling-line ease and speed. Other Elegant Light™ bottles include European-style, lighter weight 750ml and 1.5L Bordelaise and Burgundy bottles.

Harrop regularly inspects China factories to ensure they meet strict US-required quality standards, including ISO quality measures—from selection of raw materials through all production processes, including automated production lines and the design of molds—to warehousing of the finished product and shipping procedures. She also works directly with product development teams at the factories to ensure customized products meet customers’ and US quality conformance requirements.

“After decades of working with these suppliers, I have built a strong personal trust between us,” adds Harrop.  “In addition, through my decades of working with domestic and European glass factories, I have developed great respect for the issues and limitations of manufacturing. This enables me to communicate effectively within this environment.”

Global Package’s alliances with both European and Chinese factories also focus on production efficiencies, which allows the company to control costs and pass on savings to customers.

International Shipping Chaos Drives Bottle Supply into Tailspin

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Napa, CA  March 2, 2021 – Recent news about market uncertainties and European shipping and port chaos is a real issue for glass suppliers, many of whom are scrambling for product. Not Global Package LLC. Having planned well in advance, Global Package has fully stocked warehouses and is well prepared to fill orders.

“These shipping concerns have been simmering since November and now are impacting supplies around the world,” says Harrop. “But we have worked hard over the past pandemic year to bring classic and innovative European bottles and ecologically featured Chinese bottles into our warehouses to be prepared for this year’s bottling season.”

According to European industry reports, blank sailings, delays in departures, shortages of equipment, and lack of room on vessels are exacerbating timely deliveries. Even the more stable markets like North and South America have been affected, sources report.

“While glass from abroad may be more difficult to acquire going forward, we always plan ahead to procureenough product to meet upcoming seasonal needs,” Harrop assures. “Given our 35-year history and all the procurement channels we have established and are available to us, our warehouses are fully stocked with a broad range of bottles in every shape and color.”

Included in the stock offerings are Estal’s beautiful 100% recycled Wild Glass, the revolutionary Sommelier Mouth, and the podium-designed DobleAlto ®

bottles, as well as the new line of bottles specifically designed for Vinolok’s 100% recyclable and sustainably produced glass closure.  Harrop stresses:  “Our trained staff is standing ready to help you select the right bottle for your brand and budget. Call today!”

Favorable Pricing Returns for Global Package’s Elegant Light Bottles

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Napa, CA  January 20, 2021 – After the US International Trade Commission (USITC) determined on October 20, 2020 that the US industry “is not materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of glass containers from China” last year’s antidumping duty has now been lifted, which will result in a return to lower prices on China imports.

“This is very welcome news,” says Erica Harrop, Founder and CEO of Global Package LLC. “We have all endured higher prices for these bottles since the start of the investigation last year, making our already financially stressed industry more so. Everyone, producers and customers, will benefit from this.”

Since 2009, Global Package has developed strong alliances with glass factories in China to help design and provide a line of European-style bottles—its Elegant Light™ line—in more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and lighter weights, and at affordable pricing. Introduced back in 2008, the Elegant Light™ bottles are always in stock and include nine shapes that are distinctive for their larger, straight-line necks and voluptuous curves. Included in the line is the newest Bordelais Fiona Carrée bottle, which has the look of a heavier reserve bottle at a non-reserve price. It features an elegantly tapered body, deep punt, and larger neck for bottling-line ease and speed. Other Elegant Light™ bottles include other European-style, lighter weight 750ml and 1.5L Bordelaise and Burgundy bottles.

Harrop regularly inspects the China glass factories from which she orders to ensure US-required quality standards are being precisely implemented. “My in-person relationship with these suppliers is critical to building my decades-long trust between us,” she says. Harrop has worked for years inside a glass factory environment, which has given her a respect for the issues and limitations of manufacturing, and also the ability to communicate with owners and workers in a constructive way.

Her Chinese factory inspections include tracking ISO quality controls, from selection of raw materials through all production processes, including automated production lines and the design of molds, as well as warehousing of the finished product and shipping procedures. She also works directly with product development personnel at the factories to ensure customized products meet customers’ and US quality conformance requirements.

Within these stringent quality demands, Global Package’s alliances with both European and Chinese factories also focus on production efficiencies, which allows the company to control costs and pass on savings to customers.

“I’m extremely pleased this antidumping duty has been terminated,” says Harrop. “Last year was a tough year on so many fronts, it’ll be great to start this new year off on better tariff-free footing.”

Global Package’s Wild Glass Answers Sustainability and Landfill Issues

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Study after study has proved that consumers prefer glass over other packaging materials for several reasons: Because it is aesthetically pleasing, is virtually inert and doesn’t interact with the food or beverage it holds, and because it is recyclable.

Global Package has a long tradition of promoting glass in the wine and spirits industries for these very reasons. Our latest collection of Wild Glass, produced by Estal Packaging, is 100% sustainable “real cycled” and boasts a production process that is both efficient and ecologically sustainable. It utilizes only post-consumer recycled glass collected from municipalities and its production method uses lowerfuel consumption, resulting in a reduction of CO2 as well as less extraction of virgin material.

Importantly, glass addresses the sustainability issue that today’s consumers are demanding. According to a 2019 article in Chemical & Engineering News:

“Glass can be recycled endlessly by crushing, blending, and melting it together with sand and other starting materials. Doing so benefits manufacturers, the environment, and consumers. Yet each year only one-third of the roughly 10 million metric tons of glass that Americans throw away is recycled. The rest ends up in landfills. In contrast, some European countries recycle more that 90% of their glass. US glass trade groups (such as Owens-Illinois) are working to boost these numbers.”  

In addition, a recent report by Owens-Illinois reveals that waste management companies in North America and around the world are running out of landfill space, a growing problem now that China is no longer accepting our trash. In a recent article in American Recycler entitled “Landfill Space Continues to Decline” author Maura Keller reports that “the future of landfills looks bleak” and estimates that we have less than two decades before landfills in the US reach capacity, with single-use plastics in the form of beverage containers, take out containers, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles and similar items contributing the lion’s share.

As landfills grow in short supply, glass packaging becomes an increasingly vital component to reaching America’s aggressive sustainable goals. Here’s more from American Recycler:

“Haulers and others will be disincentivized to put obvious recyclables like glass in landfills, and we’ll see a broader harmonizing of our waste management and recycling policies to further disincentivize putting recyclables in landfills …At the same time, glass-only curbside collection and/or alternate collection systems will become the predominant collection method boosting glass collection in the U.S. to 50 percent by 2030.”

In other words, waste management companies will increasingly force consumers to recycle their glass containers, not toss them into landfill collection bins, so the sustainable value of glass grows exponentially. Global Package’s line of Wild Glass is the most sustainable glass on the market. Additionally, each of thesebottles is truly unique since the production process allows for slight imperfections in the natural formation of the glass to remain, making each bottle an aesthetic one-of-a-kind work of art. As important, the manufacturing process retains all the benefits of automation. Tests run by Estal, our glass partners in Europe, have shown a significant reduction in the discard rate since the process doesn’t discard bottles with these slight cosmetic imperfections. It’s a win-win …100% sustainability and gorgeous quality design.

As Global Package continues to work with leaders in the glass industry to find solutions to the landfill and recycling concerns, we are proud to offer the full line of Wild Glass, which is now inventoried here in California. Global Package (www.globalpackage.net) is located at 2793 Napa Valley Corporate Drive, Napa, CA 94558 and can be reached at 707-224-5670.

A Personal Message from Global Package’s Erica Harrop

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I have been in the Napa wine industry for many years, beginning with my first job in 1984 in Carneros, working forimage Jack Davies at his brand new distillery. In 1987 I took my first job on the glass side of the industry, at Demptos Glass (see attached photo). Anyone who has been to Napa/Sonoma knows that this is one of the most beautiful places in the world …I have been so very lucky to live here!

I woke up on Monday morning to the heart-breaking news about the Glass fire and all the damage it was inflicting on our beloved wineries, in both Napa and Sonoma counties. We now are finding out that many of the people who work in our industry will be professionally and personally affected for a long time to come. Dream jobs have gone up in flames, aspirations have evaporated, and extraordinarily beautiful and iconic properties have been destroyed.

I want to express my deepest sorrow for my friends at Castello Di Amorosa and Chateau Boswell for their losses. I am so hoping there will not be more sadness to follow.

When so many classic wineries are gone it affects all of us, all of those businesses and jobs that are still standing. Along with many in our region, I know that losing Meadowood Resort is a huge, devastating loss. Many winemakers have been fortunate to be a part of WineTech, a group founded back in the ‘70s. We have all been fortunate to enjoy the generosity of Meadowood and its leaders, who have allowed us to sit at their table and be part of their amazing world. Thank you, Meadowood, for all you have given us through the years. Please know that we all will be there with you as we begin to rebuild this beautiful valley!

Global Package

Glass Weight is Just One Factor Driving Successful Packaging

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By Erica Harrop

I read with interest the Packaging Survey Report in the latest issue of Wine Business Monthly, and would like to add my thoughts on the topic. My first point is an obvious one: there are many factors, not just glass weight, that influence a consumer’s decision to purchase a wine. While heavier bottles do confer a ‘luxury’ aspect to a wine, they aren’t the most important determination for a buyer. The reputation of the brand, the label’s ability to compellingly tell the brand’s story, and, critically, the strength of the overall bottle’s design to complement every aspect of the brand’s packaging are significant influencers.

Global Package is particularly skilled at bringing all these aspects together into a cohesive packaging composition. Our years-long partnership with our glass suppliers has resulted in many innovative designs that have boosted client sales: The Sommelier bottle that features an anti-drip barrier and a ‘sommelier’ groove, which facilities a clean, straight cut of the capsule. The DobleAlto® model that features a double ‘podium’ base, which increases the presence and perceived value of the wine. And the new award-winning Wild Glass line of bottles, which are not only sustainable and 100% PCR, but each bottle is unique, like a work of art.

Bottle decoration also plays an important role in buyer appeal. Our nearly 15-year partnership with Etiq’Etains allows us to offer clients a full range of pewter labels in three distinct categories—Natural (silver), Luxury (gold, bronze, copper), and Modern (many colors, including blue, red, yellow, green, brown, black). Each brings its own attributes to amplify a wine’s brand.

Yes, glass weight does help define quality but it is far from the only contributing factor. Design aspects, especially those on heavier bottles, are equally important. We also know that new glass designs are continually being developed and research shows that early adopters of new design concepts are doing better than those not adapting to change. Our continued work with these and other innovative suppliers assures our and our clients’ future success.

Sustainability is increasingly gaining traction with wine buyers, so wineries are also well advised to consider that trend in packaging decisions. Our recent case study on Acquiesce Winery detailed this winery’s focus on reducing its carbon footprint, choosing lighter weight bottles that saved the winery approximately 12,600 pounds per year in glass, or four ounces per bottle. It also selected shipping cartons that are 100% recyclable paper and pulp. As mentioned above, Estal’s Wild Glass collection of bottles can also be a good solution for wineries seeking more ecological-friendly packaging.

Finally, Chinese glass has proven to be an integral part of the industry, providing affordable and very good, consistent quality that has helped our industry when domestic and European supply shortages occur. Our long-term relationships with Chinese glass suppliers have provided our clients with outstanding options, such as our Elegant Light ™ line of European-style bottle shapes at affordable pricing and featuring a wide neck that defines higher-end wines along with elegant straight lines.

So, Global Package has it all …affordable stock bottles in standard shapes and colors, domestic and European glass, and custom molds for one-of-a-kind bottles for the premium wine market. We welcome your inquiries and invite you to visit our Napa showroom. We remain open during Covid-19, adhering to strict protocols.