Exclusive Q&A with E-PACK Europe, the importance of the conference in the region and industry

 

After recently learning about this great event in the heart of Europe, we caught up with the organizers of E-Pack Europe 2019 to get a glimpse into the event which will take place next year between 25 and 27 of March at Radisson Blu Hotel, Berlin.

First we would like to get to know what E-PACK Europe is all about. We know it is an inaugural event in Europe and you had very successful event in the US to build up the reputation. But, we are really looking to get more from you as the organizer.

After releasing the market report ‘The Future of Packaging for E-Commerce to 2022’, we discovered there was a gap in the market for a truly cross-sector conference that focused on technical discussions around leveraging the packaging industry to fulfill the growing e-commerce market.

The E-PACK conference series was launched with the US event in Chicago this past September, with over 170 packaging professionals joining us, and the inaugural European edition promises to continue the success. E-PACK Europe will cover the full landscape of the evolving packaging for e-commerce market, and will provide a platform to discuss technical challenges in terms of functional designs and protection, innovative and cost effective packaging solutions, new business opportunities, case studies from leading brands & retailers, advancements in materials and technologies etc.

We worked with industry experts to make sure that the conference agenda covers all of the most pertinent topics, including brands and retailers’ perspectives, opportunities and challenges in the market, sustainability, design and innovation transforming the supply chain, omnichannel packaging, the future of the industry and more. Packed with first-hand experiences, we’re sure this event will provide all attendees with deep and meaningful insights into this evolving sector, as well as discover best practices, lessons learned and more.

The e-commerce market is growing at a rapid pace and it has been like that for the past 2 decades. How important is this event for retailers and suppliers in Europe?

The overall market for e-commerce packaging will grow rapidly in the coming years, expanding at an annual growth rate of 14.3% from 2017 through to 2022. This growth will see e-commerce packaging, including corrugated packaging, flexible packaging, protective and transit packaging, reaching almost $55 billion in 2022. The rapidly evolving nature of e-commerce as a sales and delivery channel is making it one of the most attractive areas of the global packaging industry, with brands, retailers, logistics companies, conventional and online retailers, converters and material suppliers all positioning themselves to take advantage of this.

However, growing concerns over the environment and shipping costs in particular will change the nature of packaging used for e-commerce. Manufacturers and retailers are working hard to create packaging that is fit for purpose in the e-commerce supply chain. An increasingly complex supply chain puts higher demands on the durability of the packaging, while retailers are involved in a hugely competitive market where packaging is increasingly important as a means to product and brand differentiation.

Addressing this fast-changing market will require the overall packaging supply chain to meet new requirements. Companies must adapt and evolve packaging that meets all the needs of the market. Not only will the packaging be required to fulfil the massively growing market but the packaging itself must evolve. New technologies and materials need to be utilized to make packaging safer and more efficient, while considering the environmental impact of the waste and package disposal as well as supply chain efficiency.

E-PACK Europe will cover all the concerns associated with being ready for e-commerce, as well as sustainability, right-sized packaging, last-mile delivery and more. Brands, retailers and suppliers will all benefit from the insights and case studies shared, and the event will provide an important platform for discussing these opportunities and challenges with like-minded peers.

Could you tell us what are the main takeaways for the attending delegates and some of the must-attend keynotes?

The main takeaways are definitely the insights into how leading brands and retailers are currently utilising packaging for e-commerce, and the case studies on market trends, sustainability and future opportunities. Key presentations and panel discussions include:

  • Is logistics the new retail? – John Lewis & Partners
  • The role of packaging in brand communication and achieving growth – Rakuten
  • Last mile delivery, moving goods in a sustainable way – IKEA Group
  • Brands and retailers outlook panel: The future of e-commerce packaging, how important is e-commerce? – John Lewis & Partners, Mondelez International, Rakuten, Mars Wrigley Confectionary
  • How to create a memorable unboxing experience, the wow factor – Mattel
  • The potential of right sized packaging in today’s empty space economy – DS Smith
  • The challenges of fresh products in e-commerce channels – Sealed Air

New for the European event, we’ve also included a session dedicated to innovation in packaging for e-commerce. Presenters in this session will have 7 minutes each to present their latest innovative solutions. Speakers already confirmed include Garçon Wines, EVRYTHNG, Amcor, Water.io and more.

What about environmentally friendly packaging? Will there be any focus on sustainable packaging?

There is a session dedicated solely to the topic of sustainability. Experts from RePack, IKEA Group and Smurfit Kappa will present on this important topic, with presentations covering the shift from single-use packaging to reusable and why this is important, making sustainability the core of e-commerce packaging design, and the challenges and opportunities in a multichannel environment.

We are also interested if there will be any talks about the use of Blockchain and IoT in the packaging industry?

Benjamin Arias Gálvez, Managing Partner at Foresta.IO will present on complexity management with algorithms and artificial intelligence in the supply chain, which will cover IoT in the context of Industry 4.0 and touch on blockchain and AI. As part of the presentation, Benjamin will discuss how the world is becoming more complex and moving from mass production to mass customization, as well as how this complexity introduces inefficiencies due to shorter runs and more references to be handled. The presentation will also cover current and future complexities that cannot be managed by human decisions, and looks at the potential of new tools’ and how companies can compete in the future.

As a closing question, we would like you to personally invite all interested companies to your event in Berlin.

Anyone who has an interest in packaging for e-commerce should attend this event. The event will provide you with an opportunity to stay ahead of all the latest trends and developments, as well as a chance to speak directly to those with experience in this exciting sector.

In addition to the informative programme, we’ve also arranged for an innovative pre-conference workshop activity. Attendees who choose to book onto the activity will first take part in a workshop on omnichannel packaging design, and will then take part in an exclusive tour of reBuy’s Fulfilment Centre in Berlin. The workshop and site visit will add to the invaluable knowledge that attending E-PACK Europe will provide.

As a PICANTE reader, we’d like to offer you an exclusive 10% discount on your conference ticket. Just enter code EPS19PM to claim your saving, currently worth €99 if you book before the Early Bird expires on Friday 11 January 2019. Find out more and book now at www.ecommercepacksummit.com/europe.

 

Zoltán is a self-taught publisher and events organizer who has developed several brands and services that have increased the notoriety of his company within multi-billion dollar industries. In 2018, he has become a TEDx speaker and talked about reputation management in the digital era. As Co-Founder of HIPTHER Agency, Zoltan has helped develop highly respected online news portals, virtual and in-person conferences that cater to multiple industries on 5 continents. Among the developed brands and services you can find online news portals that cover several tech industries, gaming, blockchain, fintech, artificial intelligence, and more. In parallel, the company has built a portfolio of annually organized boutique-style conferences in Europe and North America. All the events organized by his company focus on bringing a wealth of information about the latest innovation in several industries such as Entertainment, Technology, Gaming and Gambling, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Quantum Technology, Legal Cannabis, Health and Lifestyle, VR/AR, eSports and many more. Zoltan enjoys writing articles on all portals owned by the HIPTHER Agency, talking at conferences, hosting the weekly HIPTHER Talks Podcast, and loves spending time with his family. Zoltan is a duathlete who enjoys training for different international competitions which include running and cycling.