LAS VEGAS – Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) organizers made extensive enhancements to its New Packaging Showcase this year building on a partnership between the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) and Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI). The New Packaging Showcase reflects the highest standards of packaging design in the industry.

“My overall impression is that automotive aftermarket package does an outstanding job of graphic fidelity,” said judge Ben Miyares, Packaging Management Institute. “Multi-lingual label copy is more prevalent in this market sector than in other consumer/industrial product categories, perhaps reflecting multiple languages spoken by automotive care professionals for whom many of the packages are designed.”

The winners of the 2010 New Packaging Showcase awards were announced yesterday at the AAPEX Theater.

“And the winners are…”

INNOVATION – Federal-Mogul Corp. for its Champion small engine blister cards.

“(This packaging) makes it easy for the consumer to find just what he/she is looking for,” Miyares said. “The sell graphics on what normally is the back of the card is an interesting approach.”

MARKETING – CRC Industries for its K&W FiberLock Head Gasket & Block Repair.

“This is an outstanding design. The blow-molded bottle with the ‘hob-nail’ texture finish promotes easy grip. And the bright green color stands out on the shelf. The unique ‘radiator-cap’ closure on the bottle reinforces the product message,” Miyares said.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT – Valeo for its “Green” blister packaging for flat blade wipers.

“Valeo showcased thoughtful use of post-industrial and post-consumer waste to produce a functional package,” Miyares said, hoping to encourage more automotive aftermarket companies to increasingly find ways use recycled materials.

PERFORMANCE – Trico Products for its TRICO Exact Fit wiper blades packaging.

“Emphasis on the performance of the package (rather than the product) made this entry an easy winner,” Miyares said. “The clamshell design in a category where blisters are the norm works well.”