Direct-to-consumer wine sales and shipments are on the rise nationally and there is no indication of this trend slowing down anytime soon1. As reported by Wine & Vines2 magazine and ShipCompliant3, the value of the direct-to-consumer wine shipments marketplace exceeded $1.34 billion from May 2011 to April 2012, culminating to an impressive 11.5% growth rate for this 12-month period1. This tremendous growth follows a similarly notable year in 2010 in which direct sales by US wineries reached $3.4 billion and experienced an annual growth rate of 12%4. This growth in volume is universal as direct shipments to consumers increased from wineries of all sizes across the country. The direct sales method has served to increase profitability from wineries as well as benefit consumers who are able to purchase wine marked anywhere from 30% to 70% off original retail prices.
As such, with this promising trend of growing direct-to-consumer wine sales comes the need for reliable packaging to ship the products. Molded Fiber Technology (MFT) can fulfill this need with its innovative line of wine packaging products, Wine Packs®. Wine Packs are an environmentally friendly wine shipping solution. Made from 100% recycled newspaper and water, our wine shipping kits are available in single bottle, two bottle, three bottle, four bottle, six bottle, and twelve bottle configuration.
Molded Fiber Technology (MFT) latest wine packaging solution is the Bottoms UP™ wine packing system. Developed in partnership with its customer Grafcor Packaging, the Bottoms UP wine packaging system is an inventive technique that keeps the wine bottles in a vertical position through the unique marriage of molded pulp trays and a horizontal corrugated divider. Made of 100% recycled molded fiber material, this system provides a whole new level of protection which ensures the safety and quality of the package throughout the entire distribution cycle. Molded fiber’s inherent resilience and blocking and bracing capabilities enable it to outperform most vacuum-formed plastic, expanded polystyrene, and corrugated designs. Accordingly, the system’s sustainable form and creative design lend itself a variety of benefits that are unmatched by traditional wine packaging methods.
The Bottoms UP system saves space because it is nestable. It allows for faster packing and quality control checks which results in increased productivity and reduced labor costs. It reduces damage claims, leading to fewer returns and lower transportation costs. Additionally, the entire system is easily recyclable, eliminating the hassles of petroleum-based materials and reducing disposable costs. All of these efficiencies create a quicker, easier, and more cost-effective solution while ensuring the quality of the wine bottles. As a result of its innovation, the Bottoms UP wine packaging system is at the forefront of wine packaging technology. And with direct wine sales continuing to experience steady growth, it can be rest assured that the Bottoms UP packaging system is the ideal solution for wineries, wholesalers, and wine connoisseurs everywhere.
References:
1 – http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/6/prweb9603413.htm
2 – http://www.winesandvines.com/
3 – http://www.shipcompliant.com/
4 – http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/5/prweb8488909.htm