n the 2nd week of June, United Fresh announced the winners of the 2015 New Product Awards in 5 categories.
Headquartered in Wisconsin’s Glendale, Maglio Companies has been in business since 1902. It is a renowned brand, known as a produce processor, distributor, repacker and logistics provider.
The company has been offering the best and freshest produce via modern packaging technology, coupled with an old-fashioned, conscientious service and quality.
This win was a notable feature in its cap of achievements.
The ReadyRipe Watermelon Pouch of Maglio Companies consists of two gusset bag designs, customised for quarter- and half-cut watermelons.
These bags have a large viewing area to let customers get an easy view of the fruit quality before buying.
This patented packaging design, used exclusively by Maglio Companies, keeps the food fresh for an extended period. Compared to traditional plastic overwrap methods, fruits packed with this technology stay fresh for up to 11 days from their date of production.
Maglio Companies awarded for Novel Packaging Technology
Apart from the extended shelf-life, these ReadyRipe Watermelon Pouches feature a compact, convenient carry handle.
They also feature a resealable storage design, and empower the consumer to buy only the amount of watermelon they need. This packaging product has already been tested successful in a market of over 600 stores across the U.S. Maglio Companies plan for a rollout in other markets this year.
The company’s product innovation manager, Joe Delgadillo said they were honoured to win this prestigious award. He added further that this win will give the company an opportunity to increase exposure of its fresh products with innovative design.
He said that they hope to continue bringing innovation in the fresh produce market, thus helping consumers enjoy fresh vegetables and fruits with extended shelf lives.
In the upcoming PMA Foodservice Conference and Expo in July, Maglio Companies will display their award-winning packaging product – ReadyRipe Watermelon Pouch.
Maglio Companies Patent Their Watermelon Packaging
Maglio Companies launched the gusseted pouch for fresh quartered watermelon in 2015. The quartered watermelon stays fresh for a longer period because this pouch controls oxidation and vaporisation of water inside and outside of the pouch. This allows the melon’s natural respiration to generate a better atmospheric environment.
Some retailers were hesitant to get on board at first, but Maglio’s passion and dedication to his product eventually won them over. Maglio says that the pouch took years to develop and requires many tests before it becomes perfect for consumers. Thanks to Maglio’s efforts, consumers can now enjoy fresh quartered watermelon long after it’s been picked.
Retailers Benefit
If you’re a retailer, there are plenty of benefits to using the readyripe® pouch instead of the overwrap method when preparing quarter slices of watermelon for display. For one, it’s much faster – a time and motion study showed that it can take up to three times longer to prepare watermelon using the overwrap method. That means during busy season, you can use the extra time to produce more watermelon or offer other produce items that will generate additional revenue. Not to mention, your customers will appreciate the convenience of being able to grab a quick, healthy snack that’s already cut and ready to eat. So if you’re looking for a way to save time and increase profits, the readyripe® pouch is definitely worth considering.
Consumer Reactions
When it comes to watermelon, customers want convenience, freshness and no mess – and that’s exactly what Maglio’s readyripe® pouched quarter watermelons offer. They are willing to pay up to 20% more per pound for the readyripe® watermelons due to superior quality and ease of use.
The pouched watermelons are easy to carry, store and handle, making them a convenient option for busy shoppers. And because they’re pre-cut and ready to eat, stores can increase productivity and meet consumer demand for quick and easy produce options. So why not give your customers what they want? Stock up on readyripe® pouched quarter watermelons and watch your sales soar!
On-going Market Research
There is still much research to be done in the area of product packaging, especially when it comes to reducing produce waste. Maglio has seen many changes in the way produce is packaged and delivered to consumers over the past 35 years and believes that there is still room for improvement. For example, research is needed to refine processes that extend the shelf life of products while maintaining their nutrient quality.
In addition, more work needs to be done to develop packaging that is specifically designed for different types of produce. With so many different types of fruit and vegetables on the market, each with its own unique properties, it can be a challenge to find a one-size-fits-all solution. However, if we can continue to make progress in these areas, we can greatly reduce the amount of wasted produce and help to ensure that everyone has access to fresh, healthy food.
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