Sustainable solid board leek packaging: why Frankort & Koning chose Smart Packaging Solutions

Sturdy and sustainable packaging for leeks. That was what Frankort & Koning, an international fruit and vegetable trading company, asked us to provide. Together, we developed sturdy solid board trays designed to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. “Our growers deliver top-quality leeks. The packaging has to convey that.”

• Frankort & Koning has been the link between producers/suppliers and retailers/retail chains since 1985.
• Frankort & Koning delivers fruit and vegetables to supermarket chains, wholesalers and other customers throughout Europe every day.
• Frankort & Koning (head office in Venlo) employs a team of 180 people.

“We were already using Smart Packaging Solutions for our cucumber packaging,” says Michel Wulms, Frankort & Koning’s packaging and containers manager. “Now we’ve added a new type of packaging: solid board stackable machine-erected trays for packaging leeks. The trays are printed at Smart in Oudegem on the brand new Celmacch machine and delivered just-in-time to growers in the Venlo region. They package the leeks, which are then exported.”

The trays are used to package leeks under Frankort & Koning’s own brands: Royal Select (5 kilogrammes) and Royal Verde (10 kilogrammes). “These brands stand for quality,” says Michel. “The grower delivers a top-quality product, and the packaging has to convey that. And it does, thanks to Smart. The full-colour printing and sleek finish of the stackable machine-erected trays give the brand a stylish look both in-store and during transport.”

“The leeks are washed at the grower’s and placed in the tray while still damp. This requires sturdy packaging that can withstand transportation. The tray needs to be strong and moisture resistant. In consultation with Smart, we opted for a tray with a slightly higher gramme weight. This means the packaging is extra sturdy, which is essential for transportation and presentation. Transportation can take up to two or three days. When the trailer is opened in Italy, it’s very important that the trays are still robust and undamaged. Crumpled packaging is the first thing the buyer sees, and that immediately makes a bad impression, even if the leeks are still in great shape. With Smart’s packaging, we don’t have to worry about that.”

“Smart Packaging Solutions takes care of the entire process: from the production of the trays to delivering them to our growers within a radius of about seventy kilometres around Venlo,” says Michel. “Smart Packaging Solutions also keeps assembled trays in stock. This means that our growers are guaranteed immediate delivery, even in urgent cases. Orders placed in the morning are often delivered the same day. In a market where speed is crucial, that’s worth its weight in gold. We only want to stock fruit and vegetables, not empty packaging. That means you have to be able to rely on a supplier who delivers just-in-time. In that respect, Smart is a partner that anticipates your needs and does what it promises.”

“What’s more, the fruit and vegetable market is incredibly dynamic. You have to be able to respond quickly when demand changes. That’s why it’s important that we have short lines of communication with suppliers who offer the same flexibility. Smart Packaging Solutions is one such partner. Smart thinks along with us, delivers quickly and is reliable.”

Sustainability also plays an increasingly important role. “Our customers, particularly retailers, decide the type of packaging the product should be presented in. So, packaging is an integral part of the product. The market is placing ever higher demands on sustainability and transparency: customers want to know about the origin of materials, the recyclability and the carbon footprint of packaging.”

“That is why it is essential for us to partner with suppliers who are also committed to this goal. Smart and its parent company, VPK Group, are actively engaged in making their production and material choices more sustainable. This aligns with our vision and the demands of the market. In the coming years, European legislation on packaging (PPWR) will further reinforce this: we must use more recyclable packaging made from recycled materials. Smart Packaging Solutions’ solid board trays are compatible with these sustainability goals. They are recyclable, environmentally friendly and comply with the future requirements of the PPWR.”