A new lightweight shallow rigid tray developed by Linpac Packaging for vacuum skin packing (VSP) has helped a supermarket chain to increase sales of its meat products by 80%.

Linpac, a multi-material packaging manufacturer, worked in partnership with machine manufacturer Mondini and film manufacturer Bemis to create a pack which combines the extended shelf life benefits of vacuum skin film technologies with the presentation and protection benefits of rigid preformed trays for Booths stores.

Booths in-house protein packer, Booths Fresh Foods, has been a Linpac customer for more than five years, previously taking delivery of rPET PE trays and LINtop lidding film. After admiring VSP solutions on offer at other retailers, Booths decided to move from modified atmosphere packaging for some of its meat products and turned to Linpac for an alternative.

To suit the various cuts of meat currently on sale, Linpac developed three application styles for use with rPET, PP and EPS trays: a normal vacuum skin pack (below the flange protrusion), a protruding vacuum skin pack (slightly above the flange protrusion), and a super-protruding vacuum skin pack (high protrusion above the flange).

Chris Elliott, technical sales manager at Linpac Packaging, says, "Our vacuum skin pack solutions provide enhanced consumer appeal, shelf space efficiency and maximum protection to products during transit and in store. The preformed tray gives a higher quality look and feel to packs and this, combined with the extended shelf life provided by these packs, means our customers are getting the very best from their packaging."

Nigel Cokell of Booths adds, "The initial attraction to VSP was the on-shelf appeal. The amount of unsightly juices on show within the pack is greatly reduced because all free surface space is sealed, and this is enhanced further by the rigid tray which gives a premium quality appearance to the pack. The increase in sales we have seen since the packs were introduced in store shows our customers agree. A second benefit has been shelf life improvement; production planning has become more efficient and easier, meaning that we have more product and less out of stock labels on our shelves, and less food is being wasted because it has gone out of date."

Booths, established in 1847, is a family-run business that has 29 stores located throughout the north of England.