Latest news with #packaging
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Oreo maker sues Aldi over alleged copycat cookie packaging
The maker of Oreos, Chips Ahoy cookies, Ritz crackers and other popular snacks is suing Aldi, alleging the supermarket chain is using packaging that "blatantly copies" their products. Mondelēz International filed the civil complaint on May 27 in an Illinois federal court. According to the complaint, obtained and reviewed by USA TODAY, the Chicago-headquartered company said Aldi's alleged actions are "likely to deceive and confuse consumers and dilute the distinctive quality of Mondelēz's unique product packaging." Aldi, which sells low-priced private-label cookie and cracker snacks, has a "pattern and practice of selling products in packaging that are unacceptable copies of Mondelēz's," the manufacturer alleges in the complaint. Mondelēz said in the court filing that it has contacted Aldi on "numerous occasions" objecting to the supermarket chain's alleged use of "confusingly similar packaging" and demanding that it cease and desist its "unlawful infringement." The snack maker is seeking monetary damages and a court order effectively stopping Aldi from selling products that infringe on its trademarks. USA TODAY contacted Aldi and Mondelēz on May 30 but has not received a response. The popular snack brands Mondelēz is alleging Aldi copied include Oreos, Wheat Thins, Nutter Butters, Chips Ahoy, Nilla Wafers, Ritz, Premium Saltine Crackers, Teddy Grahams, Belvita biscuits, Tate's Bake Shop cookies and Triscuit crackers, according to the complaint. After being contacted by Mondelēz, Aldi discontinued and/or changed certain of the alleged infringing products, the complaint says. However, Aldi continued to sell products in packaging that resembles Mondelēz's snacks, which are trademarked, the court document continued. Mondelēz is informed and believes that at least some of the products in its lawsuit are manufactured and distributed nationally to Aldi stores from a supplier or suppliers in Ohio, the complaint reads. Throughout the complaint, Mondelēz includes side-by-side comparisons of its trademarked snack packaging and Aldi's alleged infringing products, including Oreos and the supermarket chain's "Original Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with Vanilla Filling." Mondelēz is not the only company to sue Aldi, as an Australian federal court ruled a year ago that the supermarket chain infringed on the copyright of Baby Bellies snack puffs for young children, according to The Guardian and Associated Press. In the Baby Bellies case, Aldi's packaging featured a cartoon owl with colors similar to the name-brand packaging, the outlets reported. Hampden Holdings, the owner of Baby Bellies, sent the supermarket chain a letter alleging copyright infringement, subsequently prompting the company to take Aldi to court concerning 11 product designs, according to The Guardian. 'Aldi sought to use for its own commercial advantage the designs that had been developed by a trade rival,' the federal judge said, per The Guardian. 'Although Aldi may have intended, if possible, to avoid infringement and legal liability, it took the risk that its use of the Bellies designs would exceed what the law allows. I consider Aldi's conduct to be flagrant.' Federal courts in the United Kingdom and Australia ruled in favor of Aldi in 2018 after the cosmetic company, Moroccanoil Israel, alleged the discount supermarket chain's product packaging and branding were too similar to theirs. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oreo maker sues Aldi, alleges trademark infringement of packaging
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Global Printing & Packaging secures revolving line of credit to scale reach
Global Printing & Packaging (GPP), a US-based provider of packaging, printing, and logistics solutions, has secured a $5m revolving line of credit from the asset-based lending team of Cambridge Savings Bank (CSB) to scale its reach. The funding will support GPP's operational needs and strategic expansion plans. The company will invest in new equipment, optimise its supply chain, and enhance its digital infrastructure. Headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, GPP has been in the packaging industry since its inception in 1965. Initially a family-owned business, GPP has grown to offer global manufacturing at scale, with products available through major retailers such as Walmart, Amazon, and Best Buy. It serves clients in the North America region. GPP offers services ranging from structural design and commercial printing to sourcing and fulfilment. GPP CEO Douglas Dratch said: 'I'm proud to carry forward the legacy my dad built through decades of hard work and dedication at Global Printing & Packaging. 'This partnership with Cambridge Savings Bank not only honours that legacy but also empowers us to take the next step in our evolution. With enhanced financial flexibility, we're able to invest in new technologies, expand our capabilities, and scale our operations - all while continuing to provide the quality, reliability, and value our customers have come to expect.' The bank's credit facility is designed to accommodate the company's seasonal cash flow cycles. It offers the necessary adaptability for year-round operational management. GPP stated that the bank's credit conditions align with its business structure and ensure its steadiness and future planning. CSB asset-based lending head and senior vice-president Yvonne Kizner said: 'Our team worked closely with Doug and his leadership team to understand the company's growth trajectory and seasonal needs, enabling us to structure a flexible credit facility that will support their continued innovation and expansion. "We look forward to building on this foundation and supporting the Global Printing team in future phases of their growth.' "Global Printing & Packaging secures revolving line of credit to scale reach" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
DS Smith partners with Hitachi Digital Services to modernise integration platform
DS Smith, a packaging solutions provider, has formed a strategic partnership with Hitachi Digital Services, a digital consultancy and technology services provider, to modernise its integration platform and speed up digital innovation. Hitachi Digital Services will design and develop DS Smith's AI and system integrations by utilising technologies to drive innovation in complex manufacturing and packaging environments. DS Smith's current integration platform, Microsoft BizTalk, is nearing end-of-life support in 2027, prompting the company to seek a futureproof solution leveraging integration platform as a service capability. The company's partnership with Hitachi Digital Services will see its transition to a cloud-based, AI-powered integration ecosystem built on the Boomi platform. Furthermore, the company will be able to transition from legacy middleware, optimise system interoperability, and boost business agility. DS Smith IT applications and platforms director Leon Gelderblom said: "This partnership with Hitachi Digital Services represents a major step forward in DS Smith's digital transformation journey. "By modernising our integration infrastructure, we are not only improving efficiency but also futureproofing our operations to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace." The new partnership will offer accelerated integration deployment, enabling DS Smith to respond more quickly to market demands and evolving customer needs. The cloud-based system will provide enhanced resilience and reliability, ensuring robust and secure data flows, Hitachi Digital Services stated. AI-driven efficiency will automate integration processes, reducing maintenance overheads and allowing teams to concentrate on strategic business initiatives. Additionally, the solution's application programming interface (API)-first architecture is expected to improve connectivity with customers and vendors, thereby reducing onboarding times. DS Smith, with approximately 5,000 current integrations, 300 packaging centres, and more than 12 mills, has a multifaceted task in moving to an updated platform. Hitachi Digital Services stated that it will oversee the planning, execution, and migration, facilitating a smooth shift while preserving uninterrupted business operations. Hitachi Digital Services CEO Roger Lvin said: "At Hitachi Digital Services, we are committed to bringing industry-leading expertise to our clients, helping them navigate complex digital transformations with innovative solutions. 'Our work with DS Smith exemplifies this approach, delivering a cutting-edge integration platform that leverages cloud capabilities, AI-driven automation, and modern API connectivity. This initiative not only enhances DS Smith's operational agility but also reinforces our broader mission to drive digital excellence across industries." In April this year, DS Smith partnered with automotive components supplier TPV Automotive to develop an eco-friendly, plastic-free packaging solution for Bayerische Motoren Werke's car wheel carriers. "DS Smith partners with Hitachi Digital Services to modernise integration platform" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST): A Bull Case Theory
We came across a bullish thesis on West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST) on Swiss Transparent Portfolio's Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls' thesis on WST. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST)'s share was trading at $208.49 as of 22nd May. WST's trailing and forward P/E were 32.73 and 34.36respectively according to Yahoo Finance. A close-up of a technician working on a liquid injectable in a modern industrial lab. West Pharmaceutical Services stands out as a durable, underappreciated leader in the critical niche of injectable drug packaging. Despite recent headwinds from a post-Covid inventory glut and short-term earnings softness, the company's fundamentals remain strong. West holds a near-monopoly in a mission-critical industry with high switching costs, secular growth drivers like biologics and GLP-1 therapies, and a conservative, high-quality management team. Its financial turbulence appears transient, offering long-term investors an opportunity to accumulate shares at a fair price. While the current ~32x forward P/E may appear elevated, it's based on temporarily depressed earnings; normalized multiples suggest a more reasonable valuation. West's strategic investments during the downturn — including capacity expansion and share repurchases — reinforce its long-term potential. Risks such as customer concentration, technological disruption, execution missteps, regulatory issues, and macroeconomic volatility are real but manageable. The company's embedded role in drug delivery makes sudden disruptions unlikely, and its century-long record of quality execution offers confidence. Scenario analysis shows a compelling risk/reward balance: the bull case projects a ~15% CAGR, while even the bear case requires a confluence of major setbacks to yield sustained losses. West is not a flashy growth story but rather a compounder built on operational excellence, customer entrenchment, and resilient demand. For investors comfortable with a mid-30s P/E as a reflection of quality, West offers a rare blend of safety and growth. It's a Rolls-Royce business at a Bentley price — a quiet engine of compounding that, barring major failure, should keep running reliably for years to come. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST) is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 35 hedge fund portfolios held WST at the end of the fourth quarter which was 31 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of WST as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than WST but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock. Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fakenham-based family business is built on loyalty
National Pallet Services (NPS) is a trusted, family-run business that has been serving Norfolk and the surrounding areas for 37 years. Based near Fakenham, NPS specialises in the supply of both new and reconditioned pallets, ensuring that businesses have access to cost-effective and sustainable options. 'Upon request, our pallets are treated to comply with ISPM15 regulations, making them suitable for international shipping,' said NPS director James Clayton. 'We also offer bespoke crates and boxes, catering to specific packaging requirements.' NPS has built a reputation for quality and holds ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications – the internationally recognised standards for quality and environmental management systems. Its fleet of vehicles ensures reliable delivery across East Anglia and, as a licensed waste carrier, the business is also able to provide pallet collection and recycling services, supporting sustainability in the industry. Its quality service and commitment to providing dependable solutions have helped NPS to grow a loyal customer base, and it has also maintained good staff retention in its 30-plus years of operation. 'One employee, wood saw operator Michael Frammingham, will be retiring in June this year,' said James. 'He has been employed with us since November 1993!' Michael Frammingham retires this year after joining National Pallet Services in 1993 (Image: Newsquest) James added that community outreach is another important value of the Norfolk firm, which has supported Fakenham Football Club and Fakenham Cricket Club in the past. It is also an annual sponsor of the Aylsham Show and has supplied waste wood for the Blakeney Fireworks show for many years. With a strong commitment to its roots as a local, reliable business, NPS also embraces the future. 'We have invested in new technology and machinery over the past few years, including an on-site biomass boiler and kiln,' said James. 'We have also fitted external dust extractors to all saws.' NPS is aiming to continue improving its offering for customers moving forward. James added: 'We are looking to invest in a sawdust waste compactor, which will allow us to turn waste sawdust into fuel.' Contact National Pallet Services on 01485 529 030 or email For more info, visit
