In the world of consumer products, shelf appeal is becoming increasingly important and packaging has become a major product differentiator. But sometimes the marketing geeks come up with a packaging geometry that is not compatible with automated equipment, which sets up some interesting design challenges, says Michele Falsini, export sales manager for RONCHI Mario, a manufacturer of flexible packaging machinery in Gessate, Italy. DN: How important is packaging to today’s consumer product companies? Falsini: As a huge element of brand awareness and promotion, packaging can literally be the key

Pratt Industries (http://www.prattindustries.com) will begin production of eco-friendly paper / packaging with the opening of its state-of-the-art, 100% recycled paper machine in Shreveport, La., which will become a major producer of lightweight paper in North America. The Shreveport mill, Pratt’s third paper machine in the United States, represents a $150 million investment in the future of the industry. It will specialize in 23-pound liners and mediums to meet market demand for less packaging and greater environmental responsibility. At capacity, the Italian-made OVER Meccanica S.p.A. (http

It might not be the first place you think of when it comes to high-tech machine tools, but Italy has a long history of producing equipment that helps manufacturing plants operate efficiently. For instance, The Sacmi Group has been doing it since 1919. The US$1.7 billion company provides machinery for the packaging, beverage, ceramics, food processing and plastics industries. The company has come a long way from its beginnings as a staff of nine mechanics and blacksmiths. Sacmi has survived dictatorships, wars and economic hardships in its 90 years to grow to a worldwide staff of more than 3

Bologna might be best known abroad for its meat sauce and for being home to the oldest university in the western world, the University of Bologna. But this city, situated between Italy's Po River and the Apennine Mountains, has earned the nickname the "Packaging Valley." Packaging machinery has become one of the dominant industries throughout Italy. Though the United States, China and Japan all produce automatic machinery, Germany and Italy produce two-thirds of all packaging machinery sold internationally, according to a study by the Confederation of Packaging Machinery Associations. Italy