Packaging integrity a priority

SD: How much of an issue is tampering and pilferage in the UK?

JJ: Goods lost, stolen or damaged during transit or storage will negatively impact on a company’s profitability and reputation, with e-commerce particularly vulnerable due to the high level of consignment traffic. In a leaner economic environment, the implementation of effective countermeasures can make the difference between success and failure.

On a larger scale, we are seeing that organised crime and terrorism have the capability to destabilise organisations, economies and society through theft, counterfeiting and contamination of consignments. Consignment protection is therefore a global issue that businesses have a duty to address.

SD: How does Xtegra tackle these threats?

JJ: The concept behind the Xtegra brand is to create a single source of effective, innovative consignment protection products, including Stickfast hotmelt glues and glue guns, Tegracheck tamper-evident tapes and labels, Tegrabond water activated tape systems and a selection of transit monitors. Whilst designed to function individually, when used in combination these products give the optimum level of protection relevant to each consignment.

SD: What other benefits does Xtegra bring?

JJ: Many Xtegra products are also designed to alert operatives to handling and storage requirements, so that appropriate preventative measures can be taken.

Use of an integrated consignment protection system potentially gives companies greater leverage in negotiating more favourable rates for shipment and insurance, and sends a clear message to the recipient that their order is valued.

Compared with conventional packing tapes, Xtegra Tegrabond water activated tape systems greatly enhance consignment presentation and have been proven in independent tests to cut costs, reduce the risk of RSI and increase productivity rates. They also have better environmental credentials as they are fully biodegradable and may be recycled along with waste cardboard.

Xtegra are proactively sourcing and innovating new consignment protection concepts that will expand the product selection and provide greater versatility and choice.

SD: What did acquisition of Acculyte last year add to your portfolio? How has integration of the new products gone?

JJ: We acquired Acculyte specifically for the industry-recognised Stickfast brand of hot melt glues and glue guns, retaining this established brand name as Xtegra Stickfast. Hot melt glues create a permanent bond that is impervious to water and cannot be broken without visible damage to the packaging, and are therefore a very good addition to the brand. 

SD: What are the key packaging concerns of end user customers?

JJ: Key concerns are security, productivity, cost-effectiveness, packaging waste reduction, recycling and regulation. We believe that Xtegra addresses all these concerns and they are central to our new product development policy. 

SD: How do you innovate to keep up with changing customer demands?

JJ: First of all, the Xtegra concept is an innovation in itself, offering integrated consignment protection from a single source, under a strong and recognisable brand. We are also globally sourcing new products that fit within the brand, and our in-house product development team are working on new concepts that will revolutionise consignment protection. A good example of this is the recent launch of our world-first, Xtegra Stickfast SL150B lithium-ion cordless glue gun. We also encourage end-user feedback through our network of authorised distributors to evolve, improve and expand our product range.