Expanding your Craft Beer Business

Expanding your Craft Beer Business Turning Your Passion Into Commerical Success We all know how HOT the craft brew industry is right now–how many other industries can boast 29% growth in 2012?  According to the Brewers Association, the craft beer retail value for 2012 was $10.2 billion, which is a 17% increase from the year before and represents an ever-growing chunk of the $99 billion US beer market. The quality of craft brew has never been better and the sheer number of options is staggering–this is a great time to be a beer drinker in the US!  It’s also a great time to be a craft brewer in the US.  But with over 2400 craft breweries currently operating in the US, how can today’s brewer hope to turn their passion for creating a great tasting brew into a commercial success? We think the answer is to take a little risk and expand what you’re doing.  Where do you need to expand, where’s your bottleneck?  Is it production capabilities?  Is it distribution?  We know many will shy away at the word risk, but risk isn’t inherently bad—especially if it’s a well-timed calculated risk.  Willingness to take a calculated risk is in this writer’s opinion the #1 thing separating the players from the spectators. Gamer Packaging wants to help you take this next step.  If you’re willing to take a calculated risk than we may be willing to join you in this endeavor!  If our customers grow, we grow—it’s that simple. We can possibly help finance your managed growth, or at least get you in contact with someone that can.  We’ll help you creatively look at new ways to approach your breweries bottlenecks!  Contact us today to discuss the possibilities…

Bring Your Product to Life

Bring Your Product to Life At Gamer Packaging, offer a wide variety of consumer packaging. We provide full-service, innovative, flexible and responsive solutions for all of your consumer packaging needs. Our packaging solutions are tailored to meet your challenges and give your product a competitive advantage. We will work with you to make your business more efficient and profitable. We will help bring your product to life!

PLMA Press Release

GAMER PACKAGING BOTTLES UP INNOVATION AT NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE MINNEAPOLIS, November 13, 2016– Two glass containers from Gamer Packaging were selected for inclusion in this year’s Private Label Manufacturer’s Association (PLMA) New Product Showcase for their outstanding design innovation. The containers for Litehouse Inc.’s Simple Seasons shakable soft cheeses and Robert Rothschild’s new high-end condiment line will be exhibited during the PLMA Private Label Trade Show Nov. 13-15 in Chicago, demonstrating Gamer Packaging’s commitment to working with private label clients from concept to consumer. “Both of these products show what can happen when a packaging supplier works side-by-side with the customer to determine how to give their product a competitive edge,” said Chip Barto, director of sales in Gamer Packaging’s Consumer Division. Barto pointed to his team’s partnership with Litehouse to find a way to make its new Simple Seasons blue cheese and feta crumbles shakable – the first of its kind in the marketplace. After testing various prototypes, Litehouse commissioned Gamer to produce a glass jar that would look elegant on a table, with a unique shaker top that allows the customer to shake a little or a lot of cheese onto salads, burgers and pasta. Gamer was involved in all facets of design, sourcing, quality assurance and delivery. According to Margi Gunter, brand manager at Litehouse, they thought they might have a hit on their hands based on consumer testing, but new innovation brings risks. “Gamer was tremendous,” she said. “They really went out on a limb with us and were there any time we needed anything, whether it was reaching out to suppliers or replying to requests quickly. We felt like we were in it together.” Similarly, Gamer partnered with Robert Rothschild to find ways to give a visual edge on grocery shelves to the company’s new line of high-end condiments and sauces, launched in August. The sleek, elegant design of the glass container offers a unique curvature and height, with a square bottom that is attractive yet durable. This is the first year Minneapolis-based Gamer Packaging will exhibit at the PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show. The decision to exhibit signifies Gamer’s commitment to expand its presence in the private label and food industries by offering a full scope of services, including custom engineering and design, manufacturer sourcing, project management, quality assurance and just-in-time delivery programs. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Paula Gamer at 612-788-4444 or email her at [email protected]

Squeezing Innovation

Plastic dispensing closures should serve three purposes: Protect the product Increase shelf appeal Create satisfied customers throughout the life of the product Gamer Packaging, in partnership with Aptar’s SimpliSqueeze® valve technology, achieves these three purposes—and more! SimpliSqueeze® is a silicone valve which is inserted into the orifice of the flip-top closure. The technology allows consumers to have a clean and controlled dispense, ultimately driving increased packaging convenience. It is perfect for any brand looking to differentiate through an inverted package design where the closure serves as the base. SimpliSqueeze® has revolutionized categories such as condiments, liquid water enhancers, variety of food, beverage and personal care applications. The valve will handle a wide range of product viscosities–and is made from Aptar exclusive, recycling friendly materials. Contact [email protected] for samples or more information!

Give Your Product the Package it Deserves

Give Your Product the Package it Deserves Gamer Packaging and Exal have partnered together to bring premium and customizable aluminum bottles to market. We are offering craft beverage makers the ability to differentiate, promote and propel their brands. Good Packaging Design Pays Off Why Aluminum Bottles? Consumers value better taste and overall drinking experience through a few key indicators: variety, quality, flavor and freshness. Aluminum bottles meet all these needs and more. Not only does aluminum protect the quality of the product, but it is also more convenient for outdoor occasions, on-the-go consumption, and is 100% recyclable. The design, shape, and graphics of aluminum bottles make the package stand out on the shelf. It has proven to drive sales with both female and millennial consumers. Research also indicates that consumers feel more connected when they know a brand’s story. Aluminum bottles offer ample space to tell your story, and the amazing graphic capabilities will make it pop! Aluminum bottles also offer a high-end look which allows you to price your product higher. Wondering When and Where to Use Aluminum Bottles? Venue – Indoor and Outdoor Events Premium Channels Premium Brands, High Promotion, and Seasonal Products New Brand Launches Existing Brands being Introduced into New Markets Rebranding Product Lines that Need to be Brought to Life Bring your product to life! Interested? Contact Alicia at [email protected] for more information Research Source: Unpacking Package Design – Nielsen

How Canning Helped a San Diego Brewery Find its Edge

How Canning Helped a San Diego Brewery Find its Edge Canning with the help of Gamer Packaging allowed 32 North Brewing in San Diego to differentiate its product within an already saturated market, also contributing to the craft brewery’s huge success. The process of finding a supplier for their signature cans wasn’t easy. According to 32 North founder and owner Steve Peterson, “These big canning guys aren’t workable for a small company. They’re built for the big breweries.” The US market is monopolized by three huge canning companies. Typically, they won’t even respond to small and medium-sized businesses, choosing instead to only fill big orders by large distributors. 32 North was looking for the option of printed cans to package their brand new brew. The appeal was twofold: not only are cans less expensive than bottles, but Steve had come across other craft brewers reporting that cans are actually better for the beer itself. “When you use cans, light doesn’t affect the beer, and they’re generally more stable containers. We saw mid-sized breweries going into canning. That started to spark our interest and we wanted to be able to figure out a way ourselves,” Steve said. In search of cans and unable to find a supplier for his medium-sized business, Steve placed a quote request on Kinnek and found supplier Gamer Packaging. He had never heard of the company before searching on Kinnek’s platform. “Gamer is a smaller company whose sole purpose was to help us go through the canning process,” he said. Gamer sees itself as a resource for smaller and medium-sized companies, helping to educate them about the best packaging options and solutions. In addition to being a supplier, they aim to be a partner. The match with Gamer fundamentally altered 32 North’s business. Because of their choice to use cans, it made their craft product unique in San Diego, since other craft breweries typically use bottles. Using printed cans for their product added an authority that’s less compelling with bottles. Steve says, “People assume you need to have a really large brewery to find cans, whereas we were able to do it as a small brewery. It gives us legitimacy, plus it’s cheaper per unit.” Finding a great supplier that enabled Steve to use cans was a key choice for his business. This past year, 32 North brought out some great talent brewing wise, and they’ve grown to 3 or 4 times their original size, spreading out to Orange County, Arizona, and Philadelphia. They’re currently looking to further expansion on the East Coast, including the tri-state area. For more information about Gamer Packaging, visit www.gamerpackaging.com/beer-beverage/. For more information about 32 North, visit www.32northbrew.com. For more information about Kinnek, visit www.kinnek.com.

Freight Rate Woes

Freight Rate Woes Market factors and a new government mandate make getting your product to market more costly. If you’re concerned that increasing transportation costs are impacting your bottom line, you’re not alone. According to Greg Keys, Director of Logistics and Warehousing for Gamer Packaging, trucking rates since the end of summer 2017 have trended to a level not seen since the mid-1990s. What is causing the spike in trucking rates? According to Keys, much of it can be boiled down to supply and demand. “Excessive demand for available fleets results in increased prices,” he explains. Driver shortages, the nation’s robust economic growth, increased global economic activity, inclement weather and even the recent wild fires are a few of the market forces at play. In response to the tight truckload capacity, fleets are ordering more trucks and putting major bonuses and pay raises in place to draw more drivers. As shippers and carriers adjust to a new normal, says Keys, “It’s definitely a carrier’s market right now.” Another factor impacting trucking rates is a new federal rule that requires all truck drivers to automatically record hours of service and related driving data through an electronic logging device (ELD). Slated to be fully implemented by April 2018, the ELD (or e-log) Mandate has left many shippers wondering how the regulations will affect truck capacity, rates and service levels. Already some smaller fleet operators have exited the industry due to increased technology costs and a steep learning curve, as well as the impact the mandate will have on pay as electronically tracked drivers are forced to comply with strict hours of service limits. In one survey of over-the-road truckers, 71 percent of independents and small fleet owner and operators said they would quit before complying with the ELD requirement, although long-term impacts are yet to be known. How can you minimize impact to your business? Although it’s difficult to predict how long freight rates will stay elevated, Keys does not see much relief over the next few months, particularly as the ELD Mandate is fully implemented. However, there are ways you can minimize the impact to your business: Schedule in advance. Proactive planning enhances your ability to find favorable carrier rates. Be mindful of current weather conditions. Hurricanes, winter storms and wild fires have hit the country hard in recent months. Consider the snowball effect these events can have on trucking routes and capacity. Be flexible with pick-up and delivery dates. Consider rail as an option. Again, advance planning is essential, considering rail requires additional transit days. Partner with Gamer Packaging through the uncertainty. “No matter what external forces are driving the transportation industry, we are committed to working alongside our customers to meet their deadlines and successfully deliver their products to market,” says Keys. He cites Gamer’s use of TMS, a transportation management program, as one strategy employed to provide customers the best service and most competitive rates. “It’s all about building trust and going the extra mile to provide the value our customers demand and deserve.” Learn more about our logistic and warehousing options here!