Global Packaging Alliance Adds New Member in South Africa

Rochester, NY, July 15, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The Global Packaging Alliance (GPA) announced that they have added a new partner in South Africa by signing an agreement with Masterpack, based in Hariotdale, Johannesburg. Masterpack is one of South Africa’s premier packaging and print companies, producing high-end folding cartons, package inserts, and point-of-sale items for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and confectionery markets.

GPA members visited several potential partners in South Africa to assess which companies best complement the GPA’s current network in terms of management philosophy, technical capabilities, and markets served. South Africa represents a unique opportunity for the alliance to expand its network and ability to better serve customers.

“The GPA has grown and matured over the past several years with companies and countries being represented in nearly every continent,” said Hans-Christian Bestehorn, managing partner of rlc | packaging group and president of GPA. “I am very pleased to announce that we have now got the African continent covered with the addition of Masterpack to our alliance. Masterpack is a family-owned, cutting edge converter of folding cartons and POS displays to the high quality sector of the packaging market. Their profile aligns perfectly with the existing GPA membership.”

Masterpack is a leader in the presentation packaging and print market, providing solutions that enhance their customers’ success. Their extensive capabilities include package design, computer-to-plate, offset printing with inline UV coating, foil stamping, embossing, film laminating, die making, die cutting, windowing, and gluing. Masterpack’s continued emphasis on providing high quality packaging with unparalleled service has earned them numerous awards and honors, including the SPADA Printer of the Year Award, and several medals at the annual Sappi International Printers of the Year competition.

The Global Packaging Alliance is an international organization of independent packaging experts proficient at managing all aspects of the supply chain. With state-of-the-art production facilities and logistics centers around the world, the GPA provides responsive, localized service, award-winning creative designs, identical product specifications and consistent brand recognition, resulting in unparalleled global packaging support. Members include:

§ Diamond Packaging - Rochester, NY USA
§ rlc | packaging group - Hannover, Germany
§ Colorpak Limited - Melbourne Australia
§ Gonçalves SA Indústria Gráfica - Sao Paolo, Brazil
§ Polygrafoformlenie Flexo - St. Petersburg, Russia
§ Yau Bon Offset Printing - Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
§ Cartmont Packaging - Tlalnepantla, Mexico
§ Kumar Printers, Gurgaon, India
§ Masterpack - Johannesburg, South Africa

GPA members practice packaging management geared toward the needs of international companies, including Bayer, Beiersdorf, GlaxoSmithKline, Kraft Foods, L’Oreal, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, Schering Plough, and Unilever. This includes designing and producing innovative paperboard and plastic packaging, as well as providing logistical services such as fulfillment and POP management. The GPA’s goal is to support clients in launching new brands or products, while significantly reducing time-to-market.

For more information about the Global Packaging Alliance, contact Dennis Bacchetta at (585) 334-8030 x229 or visit the website at global-packaging-alliance.com.

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