An annual reduction of 70000 kg of plastic

2000 unique products, 12 different packaging sizes, two packaging formats, 10 labels, pre-printing combined with in-line printing, drop- and compression-tests, hundreds of product illustrations and icons, two packaging machines and a brand guidelines. This project – developed in close collaboration with Hikoki Power Tools Norway – contained many interesting challenges and utilized all our services and expertise.

In the fall of 2018, we were commissioned by Hikoki Power Tools Norway to help them redesign the complete line of packaging for their fasteners brand MFT. The goal was to find a more sustainable solution than the blister packaging that was considered the industry standard. The product range is intended for the professional user, but are also sold to DIY consumers through hardware stores.

With over 2000 unique products ranging from different types of nuts and bolts to board fixings, the project was complex and demanding, and required a holistic approach. While the main goal was to get rid of as much plastic based packaging as possible, it was important to give the packaging the right shelf-impact and make it easy for both professional and DIY consumers to find the right product for the job at hand.

We established a design system that utilizes color coding, illustrations and icons that informs the customer about product, area of use and how to assemble parts. The packaging is produced in FSC-certified carton with paper labels, and all boxes with a plastic window can be recycled as paper since the total amount of plastic is kept within the limitations and not laminated. Extensive testing ensures that the packaging can withstand bad weather and mishandling. The boxes are sealed, with a perforation, once opened they can be closed to make sure that no products accidently fall out. The sealing also ensures that the threshold for opening the packaging in-store is higher.

To ensure flexible and effective use of the packaging line, we paired it down to 6 different box-sizes, with product specific information printed in-line on separate labels and applied during packaging. Working closely with the client, we sourced the right machine manufacturers and packaging producers to implement the solution.