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A Packaging Education

Packaging Industry Education

 
The next time you visit the supermarket, pick out one product and think about what it takes to get that product into its package and onto the shelf, where you have the opportunity to purchase that product or one of its competitors.  First, of course, the product must be produced and the package must be chosen.  The package may be designed by the owner of the company, an employee or even an independent market research team.  The designer will want to consider the shelf space needed, the reliability and strength of the package, the sustainability of the package, the need to catch the consumers' eye and how the competition packages their product, among other factors.
 
Once the package is designed, the market for the product must also be defined, whether local, regional, national or international.  From here, the decision must be made on how to best get the product into the package.  The options range from tabletop fillers and cappers to completely automated packaging lines including rinsing machines, liquid fillers, capping machines, labelers and more.
 
Now that the product is in the package, the owner or company must work to gain shelf space in retail stores or find other ways to get their product to those who want it.  Sales and marketing teams in the packaging industry will take the final product and find a way to present it to the world!  Packaging has truly become a science, from design to machine manufacturing to marketing and sales.  It is no wonder then, that degrees in Packaging have become more prominent in the United States over the past few decades.  
 
The first independent School of Packaging in the United States was established at Michigan State University in 1957.  Today, the school offers a Bachelor of Science degree in packaging that covers areas ranging from materials and processes to system development.  In addition to the B.S., MSU offers a Master of Science degree in packaging for several specialized areas of the packaging industry, including packaging systems development and optimization.  A Doctor of Philosophy in packaging is also offered by the school in specialized areas.  
 
A number of other schools have since recognized the science of packaging and also offer degree programs and departments for packaging.  Clemson University, for example, offers bachelors degrees, masters degrees and even a Ph.D. program from their Department of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Science.  Other schools with focuses in packaging include Indiana State University, San Jose State University, the University of Florida and the University of Southern Mississippi, to name a few.
 
Several industry organizations also offer scholarships to those students pursuing a degree in packaging.  For example, the Institute of Packaging Professionals offers four $2,500 academic scholarships annually for "exceptional college students headed for a career in packaging."  The Flexible Packaging Association also offers academic scholarships as well as internship opportunities to students in a packaging related program.
 
Do not make the mistake of taking the packaging of your product lightly.  The science of packaging - from design to packaging systems to marketing and sales - can make or break your company.  If you are interested in the science of packaging and would like to learn more about packaging machinery, browse our website or contact a representative of Liquid Packaging Solutions, Inc., toll free today at 1-888-393-3693.