companies need to be responsive to changes in the marketplace, says trevor maund, chief executive, trm packaging limited. when product manufacturers have special promotions that may run for short periods of time, they should not need to commit to long runs of product or print large volumes of packaging, but have suppliers flexible enough to adjust according to needs, he adds.trm packaging limited is a sponsor company at the marcus evans europack summit 2013, in the netherlands, 16 17 september.  q what are packaging directors focused on todaya many supermarket chains and retailers, particularly in the uk, have committed themselves to reducing the environmental impact of the packaging they use. in the area of board use, they are looking at ways to reduce the material content of packaging.they want to make their products look good on the shelf, so that they stand out from the competition. retailready or shelfready packaging is a growing requirement in the uk market. we are investing gbp 3 million in a sevencolour printer to provide improved product presentation.manufacturers&rsquo demands often compete with the retailers&rsquo requirements. trm works with both parties to ensure the retailer gets efficient dispensing of the product onto the shelf while getting the presentation it wants without imposing additional costs on the packer filler.q what impact could better packaging have on costs associated with the entire supply chaina businesses can lower the cost of distribution through more effective pallet utilisation and maximising the trailer fill, which would reduce the element of cost from the chain.our focus is on providing flexibility in packaging that would eliminate the need for manufacturers to preprint large volumes of reels before they are made into corrugated board. we aim to match the quality in a postprint scenario, so that users do not have to commit to long runs of product when they order. this is especially suitable for promotions and helps customers respond to changes in the marketplace.currently the corrugated packaging industry has lead times of up to six weeks for high quality prints we are getting that down to less than three weeks. flexibility will keep companies more in control of their costs.q how can companies better identify what consumers are looking for today what role does packaging playa the key is to grab the attention of the consumer on the shelf. from the printing perspective, the packaging must be attractive, printed to a tight specification, and in the right colours that match with the colours of the brand. this will attract consumers to brands they already know.written by sarin kouyoumdjiangurunlian, press manager, marcus evans, summits divisionabout the europack summit 2014this unique forum will take place at the grand real villa italia hotel & spa in cascais, portugal, 8 9 september 2014. offering much more than any conference, seminar or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry packaging leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. the summit includes presentations on packaging design, brand innovation, shelf standout and packaging engagement.for more information please contactkevin dickeykevindi@marcusevansch.com or visit the event websiteplease note that the summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.about trm packaging limitedtrm designs and produces corrugated paper retail ready packaging solutions, printed up to seven colours, for uk based manufacturers and packer fillers. trm&rsquos supply chain consultants analyse customers&rsquo supply chain and packing operations to design cost effective solutions that optimise transit packaging and product distribution from the customer to the retailer and that deliver impact on the shelf.www.trmpack.co.ukabout marcus evans summitsmarcus evans summits are high level business forums for the world&rsquos leading decisionmakers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, case studies, roundtables and onetoone business meetings. for more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com   
