Nov 2 2012
Officials with the 2012 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) this week awarded Universal Lubricants®, the manufacturer and distributor of one the world's most advanced motor oils, the 2012 New Packaging Award for Innovation for its ECO ULTRA® FlexPak™. The award was presented to Universal Lubricants during an AAPEX awards ceremony on Monday, October 29 in Las Vegas where the ECO ULTRA 1-quart FlexPak made its debut.
Universal Lubricants' ECO ULTRA FlexPak won the AAPEX 2012 New Packaging Award for Innovation this week in Las Vegas. The durable, flexible pouch, which is easier to use and better for the environment, sets a new standard in U.S. motor oil packaging.
As the nation's first retail motor oil packaged in a sustainable, flexible stand-up pouch, the ECO ULTRA FlexPak sets a new standard in U.S. motor oil packaging. Compared to conventional hard plastic bottles, the new durable, lightweight FlexPak is made with 25 percent less material, and offers consumers a faster, easier and cleaner way to change their oil. It also gives retailers and installers a unique opportunity to offer their customers a high-performance product in an environmentally responsible package.
"Packaging our high performance motor oil, manufactured with re-refined base oil, in flexible pouches is what we call eco-innovation," said John Wesley, CEO of Universal Lubricants. "The FlexPak's ease of use and environmental benefits make it good news for service centers, retailers and consumers. We're thrilled that the AAPEX New Packaging Showcase has recognized this significant step forward in motor oil packaging."
The 2012 New Packaging Showcase award winners reflect the highest standards in packaging design set by the Institute of Packaging Professionals. Ben Miyares, president of the Packaging Management Institute, judged this year's entries on five criteria:
- The package demonstrates an application of a "new idea" or a creative use of existing ideas.
- It makes use of new design, material or technique.
- The package successfully transfers packaging principles from other industries.
- It reflects important new marketing strategies.
- The package reflects new manufacturing advances.
ECO ULTRA Synthetic Blend Motor Oil is made from high-quality re-refined base stocks and blended with premium performance additives. It has been the choice of many installers, service centers and fleet companies across the country for more than three years.
The tough, three-layer ECO ULTRA FlexPak features a pour-spout that prevents the traditional glugs and bubbles from bottles that cause splatters and spills. The FlexPak has a polyethylene barrier that provides superior burst and seal strengths required for the rigors of oil. A larger, 5.1 quart FlexPak will be available next year.