Like many industries, pet food manufacturers face more complexities than ever before in the marketplace. From changing consumer preferences to retailer sustainability initiatives, all brands must balance numerous factors to deliver quality products and reach more consumers.

The U.S. spirits industry has gained a lot of traction in recent years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), spirits market share reached over 42% of total alcoholic beverages in 2023, revealing steady growth for 14 straight years. The market has proven resilient to challenges such as COVID-19, high inflation and changing consumer buying habits, according to DISCUS. Further, U.S. spirits exports reached an all-time high in 2023, totaling $2.2 billion and driven by American whiskeys.

Sustainability has been on the minds of a growing number of consumers for several years now, with millennials helping spur the conversation. For the next generation of consumers, however, sustainability isn’t just nice to have — it’s a must. Environmentally conscious Gen Zers expect more from their favorite brands than products; they want ethical practices, sustainable processes and, when it comes to packaging, efforts to reduce waste.

As your business grows, so too do your packaging and label needs. Ordering, proofing, requesting changes, artwork approval and managing a growing number of packaging projects can easily become overwhelming and time-consuming — stressors that you don’t need as you build your business.

Sealutions™, Belmark’s line of peelable and resealable lidding films, offers benefits for both brands and consumers. Whether you offer single-use products or products designed to be used over time, Sealutions™ preserves freshness, creates convenience and reduces waste.

Whether you’re in craft beer, wine and spirits, personal care, or another industry, first impressions matter — especially if you sell a premium product. As your primary billboard and the face of your brand, packaging and labels are crucial in creating that first impression. Creating the opportunity to create distinctive, multi-sensory experiences, specialty laminates take your label from a message to an experience.

Pet industry trends present both challenges and opportunities for pet food manufacturers. For smaller or family-owned pet food manufacturers, higher rates of pet ownership and willingness to splurge on pet food mean the opportunity to grow. But, making a splash in an ever-growing sea of products is a struggle

Despite a drop in sales for the overall beer market in the last year, the craft beer segment continues to grow. However, as more and more products hit the shelves and the market becomes more saturated, craft brewers will need to ensure their product stands out from the rest.

A startup receives its first packaging order and the colors are off. A nutraceutical brand launches a new product and experiences a delay, missing a retailer’s deadline. A food manufacturer’s packaging fails to protect the product, resulting in shorter shelf life. These are just some of the experiences we hear all too often in the packaging industry. Whether it’s delays, inconsistencies in quality or design, minimal customer service or something else, these common frustrations can grow into much larger issues, including missed sales opportunities, lost revenue and an inconsistent brand image.