“Why Packaging?”

I have been asked recently, how come I have decided to dedicate so much time and effort into researching, talking and promoting a subject like packaging, that while it is interesting for some, it is not seen so, let’s say, mainstream or more “cool”. Here is my answer. A bit long, but bear with me as I walk you through my thought process and observations.

I have been working in packaging for more than ten years now. Like most of my colleagues who I worked with, or those I have met, packaging was not my first choice. I did not even consider it, did not know it was a line of business or profession, until I was assigned to my first role, and was told I was responsible for it. That was when I realised, that yes, packaging does not just appear out of nowhere. Somehow it needs to be designed, developed and used and even, eventually disposed of. Mind-blowing, right?

Just like most, my packaging initiation was more like being baptised in fire. I had to learn what it means to be a packaging engineer, learn the responsibilities, the burdens, the challenges, the expectations. And although I had many questions, I had to find the answers for myself. Because you see, in small businesses and many business units within bigger organisations, packaging is somewhat isolated or not necessarily well placed. And most times, you will not find a manual on how to do things. Rather, you are told to find solutions to a variety of problems you had nothing to do with most of the times.

Parts arrived damaged on the lorry (once)? Packaging problem. An operator dropped the box and parts were damaged? After a week, somehow that becomes a packaging problem. There is an engineering change that you were never being made aware (because why should anyone let packaging know)? Packaging problem. Boxes were lost, or found damaged at the outside break area? You know, where people take them to have a seat… Packaging problem. Parts are manually handled three times before they reach the assembly line, because the process changed (and you guessed it.. why should anyone let packaging know)? Packaging problem. Forklift drivers sliding the containers and boxes instead of properly picking and placing them and containers get damaged? Packaging problem…. You get the idea.

Does this sound familiar? And although you may recognise a manufacturing environment, it does not mean that in any other setting, packaging has a better treatment. Discussions with colleagues from other industries have revealed similar concerns. Packaging being brought in late in projects and having minimum time to provide a solution, constant pressure on costs, minimal resource allocation, usually being blamed first and having to always defend your position and work, skills shortage, almost never being kept in the loop and working on minimum or no information etc., are only some of the problems one faces as a packaging professional no matter the area of business or stage of process you are involved.

Why packaging then? I struggled with this the last couple of years. Doing my MBA, forced me, in a way, to reconsider my values and priorities in a lot of personal and professional areas. And whether or not I wanted to continue dealing with packaging was one of them. You see, I was not looking for just a job that would pay me more, or that had a fancy or “sexy” name. I was looking for something that would be fulfilling, important and game changing. And while I was investigating, I realised it was looking straight at me all along, as long as I embraced it.

Because since I started, I loved packaging. I enjoyed, the constant new challenges, the hands on approach, the problem solving, and the demanding nature of it. Because working in packaging, means no two days are ever similar. Very few careers can claim that. It keeps you on your toes. Because everyone will be after you (not always in a bad way, although it happens) and you have to think on your feet. But it is not only the rush of it. There is something else also that many and I will dare say most, working in packaging have in higher measure than most.

The satisfaction, that in the end of the day you did not just earn another dollar, but that you made a difference. You solved a complicated problem, you helped the business become more efficient with your contribution, and you helped a teammate have one less headache. But more and more lately, packaging professionals also contribute to the society and the environment. That new design proposal would help decrease deforestation or help reduce plastic waste, the improvement on box capacity would mean less carbon emissions footprint and so on. New materials search and creation, mean opportunities to make a positive impact, help reduce food waste, use fewer natural resources and in turn lessen the impact on our planet.

Because of the way our societies work, operate and consume, packaging is at the forefront of the fight against the manmade portion of the climate change problem. And the realisation and effort of doing more to help, is gaining more and more traction among packaging professionals. While we must acknowledge there are in some instances concerns surrounding claims and profiteering practices, for the most part, the packaging profession is almost unanimously working towards a more sustainable future and environmentally friendly solutions, many times far ahead and beyond expectations or regulations. The passion, the complexity, the plurality of its members and its involvement in businesses in so many activities, puts the packaging profession in a unique position to largely influence and even on occasions to drive the much needed changes.

I do not know how things will come to be, and what the future holds. What I know is that I have not heard or witnessed of an industry before that is so united towards one goal that also can have a positive impact for our societies and the wider good. Although it has a long way to go on learning how to manage this new found cause, the packaging industry and the packaging professionals have taken it on them to provide solutions not for today but for the long term. Reaching that goal is in itself a noble cause and pursuit.

This is a worthy journey I want to be part of and contribute as much as I can. And these are some of the reasons, to answer the question, why packaging. Your thoughts?

Thank you for your time.

Theodoros