DS Smith display hood revolutionizes co-packing at HOSTA - 50 percent less time and reduced overall costs
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It takes less than five seconds to erect the "Quick Hood" display hood from DS Smith. An ingenious push-fit closure makes it possible. The confectionery manufacturer HOSTA achieves time and cost savings of 50 percent in the co-packing of its displays with the innovative transport protection made of corrugated board. Whereas the packaging of the standard hood used up to now required two packers, the 100% recyclable solution developed by DS Smith can be closed by just one person: quickly, easily and without the usual adhesive tape. At the same time, the push-in closure ensures greater stability and thus better protection of the confectionery during transport to the retailer. Even when unpacking on the sales floor, staff, display and the branded products inside are optimally protected. This is because cutter knives or other aids for opening the hood are a thing of the past.
Displays are reliable sales drivers at the point of sale. Whether full-range retailers, discounters or drugstores - they all use secondary placements to motivate consumers to buy seasonal goods or new products away from the shelves. Promotions are particularly indispensable for confectionery - the classic impulse item. According to figures from the German Retail Association (HDE), promotional business accounted for one-fifth of total confectionery sales in 2019. In other words, manufacturers sell a considerable proportion of their goods on display pallets into the retail trade. To ensure that displays and branded products make their glamorous appearance there, an effective and at the same time efficient packaging and logistics process is required behind the scenes. Every second counts if the displays are to reach retailers on time and in top quality despite tightly scheduled promotional campaigns.
A successful player in the confectionery market is HOSTA - Werk für Schokolade-Spezialitäten GmbH & Co. KG - from the northeastern state of Baden-Württemberg. Its products, above all Nippon or the cult classic Mr.Tom, are among the TOP brands in the German confectionery industry. In order to speed up processes in the promotional business and to ensure safe transport, the long-established company relies on the "Quick Hood" display hood developed by DS Smith. In contrast to standard hoods, which require two employees as well as adhesive tape for closing, the innovative solution developed by DS Smith according to its closed-loop design principles uses an easy-to-use plug-in closure in the lid area. A few simple steps and the hood is erected: not only in half the usual time, but also by just one packer, which significantly reduces personnel costs. The special closure mechanism increases the stability of the hood, which closes dust-proof and thus optimally protects its contents during transport.
Just as easy and intuitive as closing, opening the hood in the store also works. Cutter knives or other tools are not required for this. This prevents injuries to personnel as well as the risk of display or product damage.
The hood is also variable in its dimensions. Quick Hood" is available for all common pallet sizes. Dispensing with adhesive tape not only minimizes costs, but also benefits the environment. As a mono-material solution made of corrugated board, the display hood from DS Smith is 100% recyclable. In line with DS Smith's sustainability strategy "Now. And Future." sustainability strategy of DS Smith, where one of the goals is to produce 100% recyclable or recyclable displays and packaging at all sites by 2023.
