Glass Packaging Institute Awarded Vitro

• Glass continues to be the preferred packaging material for premium new consumer packaged goods. • Winning Products Expand the Frontiers of Glass Container Design The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) awarded Vitro Packaging, Vitro’s US Subsidiary as 2005 Clear Choice Award winner during the Clear Choice Awards Presentation and Reception at the Palmer House Hilton on May 3, 2005. The only awards program that recognizes consumer product goods (CPG) companies that package their food, beverage, cosmetic and fragrance products in glass, the Awards Presentation recognized eight CPG companies and their achievement in expanding the frontiers of glass packaging design. In addition to this significant achievement, Vitro was also recognized in Mexico by the Mexican Packaging Association with the Ecological Container Award and with 33 winning containers in the Stellar Container Program in June, 2005. .“Glass continues to be the preferred packaging material for premium new products,” said Mary Ellen Reis, GPI’s spokesperson. “Both the entries and the winners displayed forward and fresh new product innovation.” “The consumer product goods (CPG) companies have also succeeded in creating head-turning new brands and responding to consumers’ demands for taste, freshness, and product protection.” “This years entries confirm the value of glass packaging as a primary tool to develop a premium brand image, shelf appeal and the natural look so appealing to today’s consumer. We are proud to win three of ten segment awards”, said Lee Farlander, CEO of Vitro Packaging. Our containers business has developed the distinctive ability to satisfy precisely its customers’ needs; this allows us to participate actively in several highdemanding niche markets, especially those showing growth potential, such as beverages, beer, wines and liquors, cosmetics and fragrances, among others. For that reason, Vitro is leading the industry in Mexico in several fundamental areas, including its development of innovative, state-of-the-art technology to manufacture value-added containers, its care for the environment, and its social responsibility. We are proud to manufacture 100 percent recyclable products that enable us to preserve our environment and provide a cleaner planet for future generations. Our customers can build on this mindset to consolidate their leadership positions. As evidenced by the winners of the of the 2005 competition, head-turning labeling options, innovative printing techniques, and debussed molds continue to add premium image and consumer appeal for glass containers. All 2005 winning products were displayed as a part of the Food Marketing Institute Show held in Chicago. Vitro’s winning products were DKNY Be Delicious Eau de Parfum in the Cosmetics and Fragance category, Camelot Mead in the Wine category, and BAWLS Guaranexx in the Carbonated beverages category. To view Vitro’s winning products and specifications, please click the following link: www.vitro.com/media/clear_choice/awards05.htm Clear Choice Award Judge Linda Jackson, Principal at Pear Design, commented, “ I was impressed by the open-mindedness of the CPG companies, the packaging designers, and the glass companies—and their combined efforts to create a ‘culture of innovation’ which initiates new product trends rather than simply following surviving trends. ” “No other packaging material says, ‘Pick me up, hold me, take me home,’ as convincingly as glass,” said Patrick Henry, Editorial Director of Package Design magazine. “And glass has the highest touch quotient compared with other high touch packaging media.” The 2005 Clear Choice Awards judging panel included representatives from the packaging academia, packaging design and the packaging trade media. As in past years, the entries were judged on aesthetics, creativity, marketability, and form and functionality. Jennifer Acevedo Editor-in-Chief BrandPackaging Magazine Patrick Henry Editorial Director Package Design Magazine Linda Jackson Principal, Pear Design Karen Proctor Chair of Packaging Science Rochester Institute of Technology All 2005 Clear Choice Award winners received an engraved Steuben Glass Shining Star award, industry recognition and brand building media coverage. Since 1989, the Clear Choice Awards Program has honored product manufacturers who expand the frontiers of packaging design and use glass in innovative ways. This is the only award program that recognizes the contribution glass packaging makes to the image and success of everyday products. The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is the trade association representing the North American glass container industry. Through GPI, glass container manufacturers speak with one voice to advocate industry standards, promote sound environmental policies and educate packaging professionals.