Business Beat
Stila Launches First Fragrance Line
Stila Cosmetics (Los Angeles) unveiled its first fragrance line on August 15 at Sephora in the Hollywood & Highland complex in Hollywood, CA. The Bouquet du Jour fragrances, Crème Bouquet and Jade Blossom, took center stage at the launch party, whose attendees included Jeanine Lobell, Stila's president and CEO.
Displays for the Crème Bouquet and Jade Blossom fragrances also showcased the body lotions, scented Body Shimmer Powders, Eye & Cheek Trios, and Lip Glazes that coordinate with each fragrance. Makeup artists offered product samples and tips, while a deejay entertained guests. To the promote the fragrances' color scheme, complimentary pink and green refreshments were served.
Mary Kay Names Arkay Supplier of the Year
Arkay Packaging receives Supplier of the Year award from Mary Kay In an effort to encourage young talent, the Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers & Distributors (ICMAD) recognized three design-school students during its 2002 Young Designers Competition. Honored at a dinner in New York City on October 15, 2002, were Tammy Teehan, a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology (New York City), who took first place and a cash prize of $2500 for Blue Goo Styling Gel; Jessica Weber, a student at Columbus College of Art (Columbus, OH), who won second place and $1500 for Soothe Relaxation Package; and James Vondra, a student at the American Academy of Art (Chicago), who placed third and received $1000 for UVShield Sunblock.
Mary Kay Cosmetics (Dallas) awarded folding carton supplier Arkay Packaging (Hauppauge, NY) its annual Supplier of the Year award for the third consecutive year. Mary Kay, which bases its award on outstanding quality, customer service, and product development, rated Arkay 99.2% for quality and 99.8% for accuracy. In addition, Arkay received 9 out of 10 points for customer service, quality, and purchasing, and 8 out of 10 points for innovation and technical competence.
"Arkay's competitive pricing resulted in significant cost savings for Mary Kay Inc.," says Elillian Elverton, a representative for Mary Kay. Elverton also praised Arkay's innovative carton technologies.
"The launch has exceeded our expectations," said Phebe Farrow Port, vice president and general manager for Stila. "Sephora has been an excellent partner in supporting the fragrances." Sephora will sell the fragrances exclusively through February 2003, after which they will be distributed by select retailers.
Though the fragrances, body lotions, and Body Shimmer Powders will be sold year-round, the Eye & Cheek Trios and the Lip Glazes are limited editions. Lobell added the color cosmetics "to help customers identify the fragrances with Stila, which is known primarily as a cosmetics brand," she said.
Dried flowers that represent Crème Bouquet's fragrance notes are adhered Stila calls the Bouquet du Jour fragrances customizable because the body lotions—each scented in a note of the fragrance— can, when worn with the fragrances, intensify a note's smell. "I wanted to allow the customer to create the fragrance she desires," said Lobell.
A prominent detail on the fragrance and lotion bottles and the spiral-wound paper tube lid are the hand-pressed, dried flowers, which adhere to the packages with a transparent label. "The flowers give the packages the whimsical touch that Stila is known for," said Kim Waite, manager, global public relations, for Stila.
Jeanine Lobell, Stila's president and CEO, inspired the concept and packaging for Bouquet du Jour.
Crème Bouquet's notes of vanilla, pink lilac, and lily of the valley flowers are used on the label, while the Jade Blossom label features green tea, cucumber, and lemon verbena flowers. "The fragrance formulations came after I was inspired to develop the label design," said Lobell. "I picked the fragrance notes once I had decided what flowers I wanted on the label."
Using authentic flowers was a challenge because Stila had to coordinate the production of the labels with the flowers' growing season. "The challenge was making certain that enough flowers were purchased [during] their growing season so we would not fall short of the quantities needed," said Port.
For the fragrances, a 1.7-oz square glass bottle is supplied by Pochet of America Inc. (Wayne, NJ). The contrast between the bottle's bold shape and its feminine decoration "is meant to evoke a modern, romantic feel," said Lobell. Housing the body lotions is an 8-oz pink PETG square bottle supplied by Roberts Cosmetic Containers (Chatsworth, CA). The pink metallic components include an anodized cap provided by Romatic Manufacturing Co. (Southbury, CT) and a 15-mm super-low-profile pump supplied by Rexam Dispensing Systems (Purchase, NY). Custom Paper Tubes Inc. (Cleveland) supplies the spiral-wound paper tube compacts; Master Packaging Co. (Sacramento, CA) provides the boxes for Body Shimmer Powder.
To read more about Stila's Jeanine Lobell, see Designer Interview on page 18 in this issue.
—Jennifer Kwok
Stull Technologies' Closure Meets CPSC Hydrocarbon Packaging Requirements
Somerset, NJ–based Stull Technologies announced that its new child-resistant closure StullSure performed well in protocol testing, exceeding all Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requirements with a near-perfect success rate. Stull developed the one-piece flip-top closure in response to the CPSC's ruling, which takes effect October 16, 2002, requiring child-resistant packaging for all low-viscosity household products containing 10% or more hydrocarbons by weight. Stull completed the final development stages for the StullSure child-resistant closure in May 2002; testing was carried out in June. StullSure utilizes a patent-pending locking device designed to make the package senior-friendly while keeping children out. For more information, contact the company at 732/873-5000.
Luxe Pack Monaco to Celebrate 15th Year
The luxury-goods packaging show Luxe Pack, to be held October 23–26 at the Grimaldi Forum in the principality of Monaco, will celebrate its 15th anniversary. Press conferences and an evening affair at the Espace Fontvieille—where Luxe Pack debuted—will be highlights. More than 320 exhibitors are expected to showcase packaging-related products and services at the show. For more information, visit www.luxepack.com.
The Art Institute of Chicago Hosts Luncheon to Honor Michell Scholar
L (L to R) A. Jones, Michell, Stephens The Art Institute of Chicago hosted a luncheon to introduce Loren Stephens, this year's Jerome N. Michell Scholarship recipient, to the Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors (ICMAD; Palatine, IL). The award—created to honor executive director emeritus Michell, ICMAD's founder—
recognizes an outstanding student of package design. Stephens is a package design student in the visual communications department of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, an intern at a local graphic arts firm, and a former participant in ICMAD's Young Designer Competition.
Among those in attendance were Michell and his wife, as well as Penni Jones, ICMAD's executive director, and Anthony Jones, co-chief executive officer of The Art Institute of Chicago.
Two Firms Team Up to Develop Polyamide Polymer Technology for Beauty Market
Arizona Chemical (Jacksonville, FL), an International Paper company, and SoHo Laboratories Inc. (Flemington, NJ) announced their agreement to jointly develop and commercialize a polyamide polymer technology for the cosmetic and personal care market. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The partnership with SoHo Laboratories "will extend our portfolio of novel chemistries into the personal care market in rapid fashion," says Carol Perkins, manager of commercial development for Arizona Chemical.
Eastman Chemical Introduces New Copolyesters
Eastman Chemical Co. (Kingsport, TN) has added the AN001 and DN011 copolyesters to its Eastar line of copolyesters, which can be molded into glasslike cosmetic and personal care containers.
AN001 copolyester is an injection-stretch-blow-molded resin that results in thicker bottle walls and better color and clarity properties than PET, which is also used for glasslike packaging, according to Eastman Chemical. DN011 copolyester provides a high-clarity look for thick-walled packages. The new additions expand the alternatives to glass packaging that Eastman Chemical offers manufacturers. "Cosmetic companies were looking for cost-efficient [materials]...that can deliver the premium look and feel of glass," says Scott Rook, business market manager for Eastman Chemical.
According to Joseph Ehrhard, president of SoHo Laboratories, "We believe the combination of Arizona's broad and unique portfolio of specialty polymers and our extensive applications experience will bring a steady stream of innovative new products to the marketplace." The first of a series of new product developments in wax-free color cosmetics are already creating excitement, Ehrhard says.
For more information about Arizona Chemical and SoHo Laboratories, visit their respective Web sites at www.arizonachemical.com and www.soholabs.com.
CIBS Holds Annual Luncheon
From left ro right: Michael Warford (Colt's Plastics Co.), and Michael Maggio and Diane Hammond (Estée Lauder). The Cosmetic Industry Buyers and Suppliers (CIBS; New Hyde Park, NY) held its annual luncheon on July 11 at the Tavern on the Green restaurant in New York City. More than 960 CIBS members, representing the cosmetic and toiletry industries, attended the event.
Marietta Opens Manufacturing Facility
Cosmetic industry representatives gathered at the August 6 opening of Marietta Corp.'s (Cortland, NY) newest manufacturing and retail filling facility. The 450,000-sq-ft facility in Cortland, NY will host Marietta's contract manufacture of liquid products and bar soaps.
CTFA Publishes Who's Who for 2002
The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA; Washington, DC) has published its 2002 Who's Who Membership Directory. Updated annually, the guide lists all of CTFA's active and associate member companies, which include suppliers, consultants, testing laboratories, and other industry companies and executives. CTFA member companies can receive as many as five copies free of charge. Nonmembers and member companies requesting more than five copies can purchase the directory at its list price of $100. For more information, visit the CTFA Publications Store on-line at www.ctfa.org or call 301/953-2614.
Developments at Zeller Plastik Include Expansion, New Products
Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc. (Philadelphia), announced plans to expand its plastic closures division, Zeller Plastik (Libertyville, IL). Scheduled to open next February, the $6.8 million, 112,000-sq-ft facility is being built to provide Zeller Plastik customers with a highly efficient resource for sales, service, and support. The expansion increases warehousing capabilities, and is expected to reduce order-processing times and improve shipping efficiencies. The new facility will house additional manufacturing equipment for the production of dispensing closures.
In other news at the company, Zeller Plastik Europe announced a new line of closures for the cosmetic, personal care, and beverage industries. The snap-on, flip-top, and trigger-pump closures are designed to maximize production time, facilitate easy opening, and integrate seamlessly with existing capping equipment. The brand names for these additions to Zeller's line are Nomad and Orion, the latter being for personal care packagers. The two-piece, push-pull closure snaps on for faster cycle time and throughput, and its rounded edges are designed for ease of grip and to increase a product's visual presence at the point of purchase.
Ex-Tracts to Showcase Spa and Well-Being Products
The 12th semiannual Ex-Tracts trade show will take place October 11–14 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. More than 240 companies are expected to display personal care and lifestyle-enhancing products, including aromatherapy, bath accessories, and body-, hair-, and skin-care products. Conference and awards programs are also part of the event. For more information and registration, visit www.extractsny.com.
Rexam Opens New U.S. Plant
Global consumer packaging firm Rexam (London) has opened a state-of-the-art 190,000-sq-ft manufacturing facility in Madisonville, KY. The $30 million manufacturing facility, part of the Rexam Closures & Containers division, produces such packaging products as closures, fitments, dispensing closures, containers, and pumps. The facility is evidence of Rexam's commitment to research and development, according to Clas Nilstoft, division director. "Rexam now has more than 1000 molding machines in global locations, placing us among the top closure manufacturers in the world," says Nilstoft. More information is available on the company's Web site, www.rexam.com.
FACES & PLACES
The National Association of Container Distributors (NACD) has elected Marc M. Gaelen, president and CEO of O. Berk Co. (Union, NJ), as the association's president, for a two-year term. O. Berk Co. supplies packaging components for the cosmetic industry.
World Wide Packaging Inc. (Florham Park, NJ), a packaging supplier for the cosmetic and personal care industries, has named Daryl L. Ericson account executive. Ericson will be responsible for the supplier's customer service and new business development operations.
Tubed Products Inc. (Easthampton, MA) announced that James T. Farley has rejoined the company, assuming the position of vice president of sales and marketing. Farley had originally joined the firm in 1987 and left in 1999 to accept the position of vice president of sales and marketing for Dow Industries. Also in personnel-related news at Tubed Products, Richard J. Zierer and Stephen Riccio have been named to account executive positions.
Merck KGaA (Darmstadt, Germany) has announced the appointment of Douglas S. Brown to the position of president and CEO of EM Industries Inc. (Hawthorne, NM). He replaces Tom Colclough, who retired. Brown joined EM Industries in September 2001, and has more than 20 years of experience in specialty chemicals. Brown will retain his responsibilities as head of the U.S. pigments business at EM Industries.
The Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP; Naperville, IL) has appointed Stan Zelesnik director of education. In his new role, Zelesnik will be in charge of developing IoPP's educational programs and speakers' bureau, including the initiation, development, and management of IoPP's seminars, conferences, training classes, and more. Zelesnik joins IoPP from the business press, where he has spent more than 30 years covering the packaging industry.