Packaging Awards

We are delighted to announce that shuttlepac won the “Flexible Plastic Pack of the Year” at the UK Packaging Awards 2021 last week, and we are genuinely thrilled.

On Friday night, dressed in our best bib and tucker, I, and some of the shuttlepac team, along with our esteemed guests from Alpha Laboratories, Latcham’s and Parkside Flexibles, attended the UK packaging Awards 2021.

The night didn’t start too well! We struggled for over 30 minutes to get a taxi. It was rather chilly, which isn’t great when you have your high heel shoes and your party dress on! However, eventually, we managed to flag a couple of taxis which got us to The Brewery just in the nick of time to go in for dinner (sadly, champagne reception was missed)! Thankfully, we had a bottle of champagne nicely chilled on the table, so we set about popping the cork and breathing a sigh of relief that we made it! So, we all sat down for a well-deserved glass of bubbles, swiftly followed by a fabulous 3-course meal and a coffee.

And now for the main event

A great evening ensued with a welcome speech from Philip Chadwick Editor of Packaging News. Then came the turn of our host for the evening, Jon Culshaw, who did not disappoint with his many impressions and quick wit and funny stories.

Now for the presentation of the Packaging Awards!

We had nine categories to be announced before ours, which was nail-biting, to say the least! We all sat trying to figure out who might win or be highly commended in our group.

To be honest, I was happy we had made the shortlist! Then came our category Flexible Plastic Pack of the Year, and Alan Dedicoat (yes, the voice of the balls) announced each company on the shortlist. Yes, our name is in lights! Then came the announcement.

It was like we were at the BAFTA’s (well, we were at the packaging BAFTA’s). So then came the announcement, those three little words. And the winner is…(seemed like forever) shuttlepac for shuttlePouch™. WHAT! WOW WHO oh my gosh, that’s us!

Winner of our category

We genuinely could not believe we had won. I think at the point we were probably the loudest table and obviously the most excited to win such an incredible award. We then went up on stage to receive our award, being cheered on by our fabulous table of guests. We were presented with the award, photographs, and the realisation that we had won.

Judges’ Comments

The judges recognised that the shuttlePouch™ substantially reduces plastic compared to other conventional packs, including the innovative features of the combined fixed absorbent material and anti-injury rounded corners, and noted that our product was a “worthy winner”. To win against such highly regarded companies in our category was indeed an honour.

Once back at the table and the initial shock of winning had dawned on us all, there was nothing more left to do than continue the celebrations. Champagne flowed and lots of dancing until the early hours of the morning. Thank you to all our guests Staci Bye, Caroline Durbin, Sue Fletcher, Sarah Ganniclefft, Joshua Swann, and Richard Sargent, for sharing our night and our win. The night may not have started how we planned, but boy did it finish with a party!

The UK Packaging Awards are the awards that our industry talks about. To receive recognition from such a highly regarded panel of UKPA judges with such a wealth of experience and expertise in all aspects of packaging is a remarkable compliment. Thank you, Judges!

See you all in 2022!