RETAL, LOCAL KNOWLEDGE FROM A GLOBAL PARTNER
Global plastic packaging manufacturer RETAL is one of the largest suppliers of packaging solutions in Romania, coming closely behind local producers. With the advantages of its multinational network of factories, sales teams, R&D experts and after sales, the RETAL capabilities bring the best of local knowledge of the Romanian market together with its wider support infrastructure.
Working with customers in Romania for over a decade, RETAL has proudly developed strong relationships with brand owners and local producers across the country, with a particular focus on water, juice and edible oils. RETAL sales manager Sergey Berov has an in-depth understanding of the Romanian market from both a professional and personal perspective, and it is his closeness to the country’s packaging needs that enables him and his team to deliver the best service.
Berov tells: “We have been continually developing our market share in Romanian over the last 10 years, and our significant growth has seen RETAL selling around 15% of the PET packaging demand in the country. Many of our customers have grown with us and we are delighted to be considered a packaging partner rather than just a supplier.”
With a strong balance of local and global customers across its activities in 70 countries worldwide, RETAL brings its proven experience of working with brand owners of all sizes to every market.
Berov adds, “In our first decade in Romania we have mainly collaborated with local customers, working together to create and produce PET and rPET preforms. We are expanding our roster to include the local needs of global brands too, which fits well with our long-standing capabilities in other regions and enables us to bring our local knowledge for the advantage of our household name brands.”
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Does everything have to be disruptive?
Staying still is not an option in the packaging industry. Repeating the same techniques and offering the same ideas doesn’t mean timeless quality, but rather outdated concepts that don’t embrace progress. But that doesn’t mean everything has to be ‘disruptive’ right? Emma-Jane Batey looks at how valuing great design, customer communication and service is always in fashion.
The pace with which packaging trends change is illustrative of the role that packaging plays in the FMCG sector. The huge growth in markets including hard seltzer, vegan snacking and high protein is largely supported by the packaging choices that these brands make, and the packaging partners they choose. While the trend for ‘game changing’ and ‘disruptive’ packaging across all F&B packaging sectors are unlikely to disappear any time soon, the scrabble for new can sometimes mean that great gets lost.
But what is great packaging? And how does great packaging end up on the shelves, ready to be chosen and appreciated by consumers that want something familiar that also moves with the times – particularly the sustainability times. The committed teams behind great packaging are what ensures that effective packaging delivers in every category – from responsibility and reliability to performance.
Gennadiy Khmelevskiy, key account manager at global plastic packaging manufacturer RETAL, explains how taking care to understand exactly what the customer wants and needs in terms of packaging solutions is crucial, rather than simply trying to be ‘different’. He says, “As a dedicated sales and service person, it is my responsibility to diagnose the pain points for our customers’ businesses and to then find an agile solution that heals that pain. I believe it is the ‘magic triangle’ of R&D, sales and service that allows packaging to perform exactly how the customer needs it to.”
Khmelevskiy and his team works closely with global food and beverage brand owners to create, produce and deliver packaging that meets the ever-changing regulations for design – such as the EU Directive 2019/204 that requires tethered closures for all PET bottles under 3 liters by 2024 - by uncovering and listening to their ‘pain points’, rather than bullishly focusing solely on disruptive innovation.
‘Magic triangle’
That ‘magic triangle’ is at the heart of packaging being a solution rather than disruptive for its own sake. That’s not to say that great packaging isn’t innovative, far from it, as Khmelevskiy’s understanding of the three ingredients asserts. R&D is at one point of the magic triangle; true packaging innovation takes on board the precise needs of the customer – in this case, usually the brand owner – and creates an appealing, effective design solution. Aleksandr Grinko, head of the RETAL Baltic R&D laboratory, explains, “Our R&D lab works closely with our design team on one side and the sales team on the other; we have to be able to reliably and skilfully test all quality and quantity indicators so that the various departments – quality, production, purchasing, sales and technical – can be sure that when they ask for something, we can do it. Our lab is packed with the latest equipment; we can test simple removal torque tests up to more complex simulated palletizing tests and various barrier properties. We can support our customers in creating sustainably packaging, including design for recycling, lightweighting and recyclability improvement. ”
The third point on the ‘magic triangle’ is after sales. However beautifully and skilfully designed packaging may be, and however perfect it is for the product it contains, if the machinery designated to produce it doesn’t work reliably over and over again at the customers’ site, it’s useless. Yet after sales can be overlooked. After sales are not the glamorous end of the packaging world; particularly during the coronavirus pandemic’s most difficult days, the ‘essential businesses’ in the global packaging industry needed to rely on their service engineers to keep production running smoothly.
Closures stalwart Karl Everett is the leading service engineer at RETAL and his work takes him wherever he is needed – usually a flight away from his home in Shropshire. During the pandemic, this has required him to take many Covid tests in various locations across Europe, to make sure he’s keeping himself, his customers, and his family safe. Everett shares how he sees his role in the ‘magic triangle’. “I take pride in making sure I introduce the ‘service’ as well as the ‘engineer’ elements in my work. I’m usually called on when customers are stressed, when equipment is down and when things are not running smoothly. So I come in and focus on fixing things, on keeping the production running and in solving whatever issue the customer has without adding to the difficulty. I keep calm and I solve problems.”
Perhaps it is more accurate to say that great packaging needs to be a solution rather than disruptive. Sure, if innovation is possible alongside solution then that’s terrific, but ultimately packaging needs to contain a product and it needs to do that job sustainably and reliably. For that to happen, appreciating the ‘magic triangle’ of R&D, sales and service is more important than wanting to be a game changer. Some games don’t need changing, they just need the rules to be clearly defined and understood, and for the people that implement them to take a pride in being the best they can be.
Read the article online at Packaging Europe
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RETAL supports HELIOZ clean water community project
The value of PET is clear thanks to Austrian social enterprise HELIOZ, which is committed to bringing safe drinking water to rural communities.
HELIOZ works with global plastic packaging producers to ensure PET water bottles are available in the communities in which the project is active, including parts of India and Uganda, so uncontaminated drinking water can be accessed by the people that need it.
Alina Eglhofer, HELIOZ marketing & communications, explains, “HELIOZ works with plastic packaging partners like RETAL; the PET bottles are a vital part of our toolkit, alongside WADI, our solar powered UV device that measures the solar disinfection of the contaminated water. PET bottles are used repeatedly over a six-month period to provide clean drinking water to communities that do not have easy access to what we take for granted, and then the bottles are recycled by our local partners; nothing is thrown away, everything has value.”
RETAL is delighted to support HELIOZ in its mission, with the ongoing lessons learned such as appreciating that so-called ‘single use plastics’ are anything but, and that local collection of used plastics bring opportunities for businesses as well as the environment. Emmanuel Duffaut, RETAL Sustainability Director, adds, “We are all inspired by the HELIOZ team and their dedication to empowering the local communities in which they work, as well as the acceptance that the local people instinctively see value instead of waste. RETAL is delighted to be partner to HELIOZ as we are keen to be involved with community projects that appreciate natural resources and cleverly utilize the value of PET, as well as raising awareness of PET recycling and collection.”
Read online at SP News
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RETAL DESIGN ENGINEER PRESENTS AT AMI PLASTIC CLOSURES INNOVATIONS
RETAL design engineer Andzejus Buinovskis presented at the AMI Plastic Closures Innovations Virtual Summit on 2nd – 3rd June, with his informative presentation provoking interesting questions in the Q&A session.
Andzejus created a video presentation highlighting his insight on the RETAL tethered closures journey and the circular economy. “I shared how RETAL has developed a series of tethered closures in accordance with the list of requirements from the leading brand owners. I was determined to add more personal insight too as everyone presenting was working to the same set of criteria.”
This smart approach led Andzejus to highlight how collecting and recycling play a key role in the circular economy, as well as showing how reusing molds is a big contributor to sustainable development. He adds, “I was also pleased to include details of how Lithuania has integrated deposit schemes and that 80% of bottles come with the closures attached – even though they’re not tethered!”
The ‘immersive virtual event’ was attended by leading brand representatives, equipment manufacturers, and packaging producers, with the presentations and following discussions showing how the focus on tethered closures, lightweighting, and the circular economy is still at the forefront of the packaging and beverage industry drivers.
Read online at Business Focus
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Equality is flying high at RETAL
RETAL Baltic and RETAL Lithuania have both been awarded two wings from the Equal Opportunity Wings initiative, which operates in partnership with the Human Rights Monitoring Institute.
Equal Opportunity Wings - up to a maximum of three – are awarded as acknowledgment of an organisation’s achievements in ‘mainstreaming equal opportunities in the workplace and creating a diverse and inclusive culture’.
Ruta Ziliene, HR Director for Europe/US, explains, “RETAL Baltic was approved for two wings out of three. We are pleased to have gained two wings at our first assessment and look forward to gaining our third wing as we continue to improve: our next step is to make a deeper analysis of the situation of equal opportunities in the company, and after to prepare and implement an Equality Plan. And we have no doubt that we are on the right path.”
Simona Zuriene, HR manager at RETAL Lithuania, says, “These two wings show that we are really starting to fly when it comes to the working conditions of our employees. We have more to do and we are working hard to make it happen, for the good of our people and our business.”
Sustainability Director Emmanuel Duffaut is highly supportive of this initiative. He adds, “I am very glad to see the combined efforts of RETAL Baltic HR and RETAL group CSR being recognised in this official capacity. I am confident that the RBA equality plan, together with the upcoming anonymous whistle blowing channel, our Anti-discrimination policy, and awareness activities will get us the missing wing next year.”
RETAL supports clean water community project
The value of PET is clear thanks to Austrian social enterprise HELIOZ, which is committed to bringing safe drinking water to rural communities.
HELIOZ works with global plastic packaging producers to ensure PET water bottles are available in the communities in which the project is active, including parts of India and Uganda, so uncontaminated drinking water can be accessed by the people that need it.
Alina Eglhofer, HELIOZ marketing & communications, explains, “HELIOZ works with plastic packaging partners like RETAL; the PET bottles are a vital part of our toolkit, alongside WADI, our solar powered UV device that measures the solar disinfection of the contaminated water. PET bottles are used repeatedly over a six-month period to provide clean drinking water to communities that do not have easy access to what we take for granted, and then the bottles are recycled by our local partners; nothing is thrown away, everything has value.”
RETAL is delighted to support HELIOZ in its mission, with the ongoing lessons learned such as appreciating that so-called 'single use plastics' are anything but, and that local collection of used plastics bring opportunities for businesses as well as the environment. Emmanuel Duffaut, RETAL Sustainability Director, adds, “We are all inspired by the HELIOZ team and their dedication to empowering the local communities in which they work, as well as the acceptance that the local people instinctively see value instead of waste. RETAL is delighted to be partner to HELIOZ as we are keen to be involved with community projects that appreciate natural resources and cleverly utilize the value of PET, as well as raising awareness of PET recycling and collection.”
RETAL Design Engineer presents at AMI Plastic Closures Innovations
RETAL design engineer Andzejus Buinovskis presented at the AMI Plastic Closures Innovations Virtual Summit on 2nd - 3rd June, with his informative presentation provoking interesting questions in the Q&A session.
Andzejus created a video presentation highlighting his insight on the RETAL tethered closures journey and the circular economy. “I shared how RETAL has developed a series of tethered closures in accordance with the list of requirements from the leading brand owners. I was determined to add more personal insight too as everyone presenting was working to the same set of criteria.”
This smart approach lead Andzejus to highlight how collecting and recycling play a key role in the circular economy, as well as showing how reusing molds is a big contributor to sustainable development. He adds, “I was also pleased to include details of how Lithuania has integrated deposit schemes and that 80% of bottles come with the closures attached – even though they’re not tethered!”
The 'immersive virtual event' was attended by leading brand representatives, equipment manufacturers and packaging producers, with the presentations and following discussions showing how the focus on tethered closures, lightweighting and the circular economy are still at the forefront of packaging and beverage industry drivers.
Retal USA: New sales team
Retal’s US plant, Retal PA in Donora, PA, reports increased productivity across their operation. CEO and president Darius Janulionus, who took over the running of the fast-growing plant from his role as production director for Retal Lithuania, says, “Of course we all know that 2020 was full of challenges, and 2021 is still not plain sailing, but thanks to the strength and hard work of our team, we can happily say that we have achieved better than hoped for results. We have seen increased productivity across our operation, which is largely due to the team working together, utilising opportunities to share our expertise and listening closely to our customers’ changing needs. Staying agile has been crucial.”
The sales team is led by chemical engineer Bob Phillips, a well-known face in the US plastic packaging industry, alongside sales coordinator Brittany Brooks and latest recruit Vlad Nyemstov. Biochemist Brittany worked in the RPA quality laboratory prior to joining the sales team and brings knowledge about preform production. The latest addition to the RPA sales team is Vlad Nyemstov, an Ukraine native who has lived in the US for five years. The Programming Engineer joined Retal in the middle of February.
Read online at PetPlanet
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Lithuania native finds opportunity in Donora
Moving across the Atlantic Ocean from Lithuania to Pittsburgh in December 2019 to become general manager of global plastic packaging manufacturer RETAL’s Donora plant was a career opportunity for Darius Janulionis that came about because of his proven leadership ability.
It has become just as important that he is positive by nature, as the COVID-19 pandemic has meant a very different situation has evolved.
With two young daughters in kindergarten and a singer wife with a career of her own, Janulionis’ life in Lithuania was successful and rewarding.
He has worked at RETAL for more than seven years, having progressed rapidly to the position of production director at the company’s Lentvaris factory, the largest and most profitable of its 19 global sites, after being recognized by the board of directors as one to watch. The company employs 2,000 people worldwide.
When the previous general manager of the RETAL PA factory left, Janulionis was offered the role, with the expectation that his understanding of the business and strong team-building skills would be an ideal fit for the Donora factory, which was the newest of the RETAL portfolio and contained considerable untapped potential.
“The plan was for me to come to Pittsburgh to start the job, get settled with a home and find schools for the girls, then my family would be able to join me,” he said. “But of course 2020 didn’t go as planned for any of us.
“I expected to fly home a few times before they moved over here, but I was not able to get home since the pandemic started as of course the majority of international travel has been banned; every time I booked a flight, it got canceled.”
Read online on MonValley Independent
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RETAL supports STEM student initiative in Pittsburgh
The non-profit program was founded in 2004 when industrial manufacturers got together with the Pittsburgh chapter of the NTMA (National Tooling and Manufacturing Association) to create an initiative that harnesses the experience of industry mentors and partners them with technically impressive students.
An inter-school robotics competition is at the heart of BotsIQ, with the teams of students tasked with building a 15lb robot, with every stage of the design and production carefully developed to support the overal STEM goals of the program.
Maria Campieri, Youth Services Manager at BotsIQ, said: “BotsIQ partners with 60 high schools across southwestern Pennsylvania. Through our program, students gain in-demand technical skills needed for a rewarding STEM career. This school year, we've had to think of creative ways to continue connecting industry and education.”
One such creative idea is allowing a small number of BotsIQ representatives to visit RETAL PA's Donora factory, taking all social distancing and health precautions, to film an educational tour of the production site and the administrative functions.
RETAL's HR manager Elizabeth Giecek added: “We are delighted to partner with such an inspiring program; the BotsIQ team are so motivated and the students themselves show incredible potential. It was great to have them here to gather information for an upcoming virtual event and to see first-hand how working with the next generation of STEM experts is important for progressive manufacturing companies like RETAL.”
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