Technical Help in Engineering and Marketing (T.H.E.M.), a leading North American provider of single-serve flexible packaging solutions, is at the forefront of this percolating wave, offering convenient single-serve packaging solutions that can satisfy the anytime, anywhere desires of java drinkers.
Most recently, the confluence of three trends has given rise to this new call for serving up coffee in single-serve liquid format:
1. An increasing population of on-the-go, highly mobile consumers.
2. The willingness of people to consume liquids from flexible packaging.
3. A growing appreciation for coffee served at both hot and cold temperatures.
T.H.E.M. is a leading North American authority in single-serve flexible packaging, with capabilities that include flexible stick packs, pouches and Snapsil® semi-rigid containers. “We currently have liquid coffee projects involving all three packaging formats in development,” commented Neil Kozarsky, CEO and President of T.H.E.M.
“These clients recognize the opportunities presented by the changing attitudes and preferences of coffee drinkers. They want to be leaders in meeting the demand with inventive-but-practical packaging solutions.”
Innovation abounds in the coffee product category, from how it’s made, to how it tastes, how it’s brewed and consumed. Add to these advancements liquid concentrate coffee. Quick, convenient and highly portable, liquid coffee can be served at cold or hot temperatures. Now coffee drinkers can fulfill their need in seconds with just a bottle of water and a liquid coffee single-serve flexible package.
“The coffee industry recognizes what other sectors of the beverage industry have known for quite some time,” adds Kozarsky. “Convenient, portable and eco-smart resonates with consumers. Simply put, this is just another chapter in the successful evolution of the stick pack, and other single-serve formats. ”
Ideal single-serve coffee packaging offered by T.H.E.M. include:
Snapsil Semi-Rigid Single-Serve Package
The Snapsil semi-rigid container, developed by Australian-based Snapsil Corporation and used for single-serve consumer products, features a patented audible “snap-opening” function that allows consumers to open the package with one hand. In addition to its ideal suitability for coffee applications, the brand’s comprehensive array of packaging configurations is suitable for a wide range of beverage products. Snapsil has been awarded the “Ease of Use” quality seal.
Liquid Flexible Stick and Pouch Packaging
Stick packs are the perfect solution for ‘on the go’ consumers of all ages and a popular package option for beverage brands, energy drinks, energy supplements and more. T.H.E.M.’s experience in stick packaging is unsurpassed, having commercialized the packing format in North America and putting many leading consumer brands into convenient, portable, single-serve packaging. T.H.E.M. also offers its customers end-to-end consultation, support and manufacturing services for pouch production in three- and four-sided seal configurations.
T.H.E.M.’s unique continuity of supply chain support model enables customers to develop a single-serve packaging program from concept to commercialization, and customizes solutions to align with their needs, operations, and core competencies.
Kozarsky states, “In many cases, customers will perform pilot runs at our contract manufacturing facility, and then purchase a machine, and continue to work with T.H.E.M. to support scale-up and full commercial production, along with support for product line extensions and seasonal offerings.”
T.H.E.M.’s NJ-based facility provides contract manufacturing and packaging services in the form of flexible stick packs, pouches and other single-use flexible packaging formats. The company’s form-fill-sealing operations accommodate both liquid and dry products. In addition to beverages like coffee, the company supports food products, nutraceuticals, OTC, personal care products, and energy supplements.
T.H.E.M. continues to invest in its contract packaging operations, and recently erected additional humidity-controlled packaging suites at its Marlton, NJ based facility. Liquid pouch production includes three- and four-sided seal packaging for product capacities ranging from 1 to 70ml. As part of a turnkey solution, T.H.E.M. also manages raw material intake, secondary packaging operations, and pack out for distribution.
T.H.E.M.’s facility is FDA-registered, Safety Quality Food (SQF) Level 2 Certified, Kosher and USDA Organic certified, and also certified to package dietary supplements.
Recently, the plant received federal approval to package products containing alcohol. In addition to flexible packaging machinery and contract packaging services, the company provides R&D, engineering, and training support.
