Tri-Pack Plastics

Fish box makes a splash

A Grimsby based company is showing the world that it’s possible to be cool and green at the same time, when it comes to packaging chilled foods.

Tri-Pack Plastics has been manufacturing for almost 30 years and the company is constantly working to find the most effective packaging for the food and drink industry as well as the retail, promotional, and automotive industries. ‘Coolseal’, 100% recyclable flat pack fish boxes is the company’s latest development success.

Unlike the rigid and bulky polystyrene packaging which is prone to breakage and messy crumbling, Coolseal polypropylene packaging is easily stackable, saving storage space and transportation costs as well as being totally recyclable.

Stephen Clarke, managing and sales director said: “The driving force behind the development and design of Coolseal is the ever-more stringent packaging waste regulations and the rising costs, both financial and environmental, of disposal. Our patented technology developed locally is used to seal the edges of the fibre-free fluted material of the packaging which results in a strong but lightweight and hygienic product.”

Tri-pack Plastics saw the potential of their new product and began to plan an export strategy. Three years ago they signed up to UK Trade & Investment’s Passport to Export programme. With its package of training, advice and funding, the programme provided some basic structures on which to build overseas business. At that time the company was exploring opportunities in Iceland where they now have substantial regular sales.

Attending the big international trade fairs can make a huge difference when trying to attract customers overseas and to this end Tri-Pack Plastics have been attending the annual European Seafood Exposition in Brussels for some years. The company recently identified funding to give them a more high profile presence at the Expo to showcase their innovative products.

Stephen added: “In talking with our UK Trade & Investment adviser at Business Link Humber, we became aware of Yorkshire Forward’s Targeted Export Support Scheme (TESS). This programme has provided funding towards the exhibition both in 2005 and this year too.

“The extra support meant we were able to upgrade our stand at the exhibition and really make a powerful statement about Coolseal. This has resulted in a substantial international and UK enquiry book. Trials have now been conducted from as far North as Northern Norway, all the way south to Morocco, and all points between. We believe that with even a small conversion rate, we can expect substantial increases in our business. Upgrading at this show was vital and elevated us to the level of a genuine international player in our field.”

As well as delivering the fish in perfect condition, Coolseal provides huge savings for its customers across the board. The company is now expanding its business into markets such as aquaculture, processing harvested and wild fish, air-cargo, chilled salads and other chilled foodstuffs.

Austen Ward, UK Trade & Investment’s international trade adviser at Business Link Humber said:

“Tri-Pack Plastics is a great example of a local company that is constantly striving to add value to its products as well as having a sense of responsibility to the environment. Overseas companies quickly recognise the exceptional qualities of Coolseal and that’s why their international business is bound to keep growing. In the meantime we will be happy to support their overseas business ventures in any way we can here at the Business Link.”

For more information on Tri-Pack, visit the website at www.tri-pack.co.uk.