Together with my packaging students here in Austria we run an article series in a branch magazine for retailers. It is about commenting packaging – and so to show the multitude of functions, packaging has in our modern societies. Normally we focus on new packs on the market, but recently we also discussed some “packaging icons” like the glass bottle for “Maggi Würze”, a very traditional soup seasoning in Middle Europe. It’s unbelievable, but this bottle is on the market since 1886! And as you can see on the picture: Yes, the bottle has changed; but it is still the same. The shape and functionality have their pros and cons, so has the packaging material glass …
Why I’m talking about this? Maybe it is a bit comparable to the situation WPO is running through these days. Well, not that early like Maggi Würze, but established in 1968 (50 years ago, by the way – we should celebrate this!). WPO had many good meetings with our international members, highlights like the WorldStar, outstanding training programs all around the world, projects like “Packaging that Saves Food” and many other things. All this to create better quality of life through better packaging for more people! To keep on track for this vision, we have to change, adapt to new environments. And this glass bottle should be an example for us: Not changing everything! Keep the good things, keep the shape of WPO, the material, the soul.
But Pierre and we as his new team are working on many new ideas: new homepage, modern ways of communication, new style of meetings, new financial planning, new kind and better benefits of membership, more sponsors, more and even better trainings, WPO congresses, activities on game-changers like “circular economy”, cooperation like this with UNIDO and, and, and…
Many things started, not so many finished yet. Our 100th Board Meeting in Australia will be an important step in this process. First time of harvesting the fruits of new ideas. Be there. Help us to find the new-old packaging design for WPO.
Johannes Bergmair
General Secretary
j.bergmair@worldpackaging.org
Phone: +43 676 5711388
