Articles by Caroline McGilliard

TL;DR Counterfeit products aren't just a problem for consumer brands. For industrial businesses, fake or unauthorised components can create product failures, safety risks, warranty issues, reputational damage and significant financial losses. Anti-counterfeit packaging combines physical and digital security features, such as tamper-evident packaging, security labels, unique identifie...

TL;DR Summary Packaging prices in 2026 are going up because oil prices are changing, fuel is more expensive and there is pressure on plastic supplies. Since plastics and transport cost more, packaging costs are rising too. The best way to deal with this is to use less material, improve packaging design and work more efficiently to save money and reduce environmental impact. Packagi...

TL;DR Paper packaging offers strong protection and supports sustainability. Many uncoated papers qualify as “Green” under UK EPR RAM, potentially lowering fees, though plastics can still be cheaper due to lower weight. Paper works across key protective applications - void fill, cushioning, block & bracing, and surface protection - and can replace foam‑in‑place with recyclable, lower‑...

TL;DR Rising demand and cost pressures make warehouse space optimisation essential. Use vertical racking, standardised bins, and ergonomic packing stations. Introduce packing automation to increase throughput in the same footprint. Align picking, packing, and dispatch for smoother flow. Review layouts regularly to adapt to changing demand. Result: more orders processed,...

Packaging regulations are evolving at record speed. From Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT), Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) and the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR), compliance is no longer just a legal requirement, it’s a daily operational challenge. At the same time, sustainability reporting frameworks like the Corporate Sustaina...

Rising labour costs, driven by increases in National Insurance contributions, the National Living Wage, and ongoing inflation on energy, fuel and materials, are creating challenging business conditions. With the introduction of packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and recyclability-based levies, the financial impact of packaging is more visible than ever. Businesses of all sizes ar...

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is reshaping the way businesses think about their packaging. As brand owners and distributors, you are now more accountable for the environmental impact of the packaging you place on the market. This means your packaging choices - from design to material make-up - directly influence the financial contributions your business will need to make under the new...

Peak season is a demanding time for warehouses and 3PLs (third party logistics providers) managing supply chains for retailers. In the run-up to Christmas, consumer orders rise significantly, placing intense pressure on logistics teams and packing operations. This year, the impact may be even greater due to recent changes to the minimum wage and employer National Insurance rates. These ...

As we reach the midpoint of 2025, businesses across the UK are continuing to feel the squeeze from a challenging economic landscape. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis is driving up household expenses, while raw material prices remain unpredictable. Labour costs have increased too, with the latest rise in the National Minimum Wage and the increase in employer National Insurance contribution...

In August 2024 the UK Government published statistics which indicated that the volume of plastic packaging that contains 30% or more recycled plastic has gone up in real terms, from 1,293 tonnes to 1,371 tonnes, as a proportion of the overall volume of plastic packaging components manufactured or imported in the UK, it’s gone from 37% to 46% compared to the same period in 22/23. Why apply...