Michigan State University Students Win GPI's 2015 Design Competition

The winning team beat out 64 other student teams with their distinctive egg-shaped, clear bottle design for Huy Fong’s Sriracha hot sauce brand.“The Glass Packaging Institute is proud to sponsor the competition for the ninth consecutive year,” said Lynn Bragg, President, GPI.  “The competition fosters a glass industry partnership with future packaging professionals.”The unique winning design gives a nod to Huy Fong’s iconic rooster logo and features a chili pepper shaped twist-off cap closure.The ergonomic 12-ounce design features a three-inch diameter base and is 7.5 inches high and a pressure sensitive adhesive label gives the bottle a modern, “no-label” look.

“We chose the Huy Fong brand because sriracha is in everything right now,” says student winner Kevin Peters. “Plus, they package in plastic, and we thought a glass package would really set it apart from other hot sauces, give it a sense of prestige and value. It will improve the flavor as well, since the product is corrosive and glass is impermeable.” 

Four-member student teams, all randomly assigned, from the Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 Packaging with Glass and Metal class participated in the competition, working on the project throughout the semester as they learned about designing and manufacturing glass bottles and jars.

“Students look back at this design project and it’s really a highlight, a memorable learning experience in their packaging education,” says Paul Koning, Instructor, MSU, School of Packaging.

The winning team was invited to glass container manufacturer Ardagh Group to tour the Quality Lab and Design Center at their corporate headquarters as well as the Dunkirk, Indiana glass container manufacturing plant. Ardagh Group also supplied a model of the winning design, including the closure, and Spear Inc. provided the label.

“We had a great experience hosting the winning student team,” says John Riordan, President and CEO, Ardagh Group, Glass – North America. “They were highly engaged and already had a good foundation of knowledge about glass packaging. It benefits the entire glass container industry to foster and further a connection with top-notch students in the packaging field. Hopefully we have instilled a preference and appreciation for glass, whatever path their career takes.”

The top ten submissions (five from each semester) were judged by an industry panel including Dale DeVore-Ardagh, Raul Parades-O-I, Efrain Karchmer-Vitro, Dave Wengerhoff-Food Partners Consulting, Bill Eaton-Pepsico, and Rich Crawford-GPI Past Chairman Board of Trustees.

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About the Glass Packaging Institute

The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is the trade association representing the North American glass container industry. Through GPI, glass container manufacturers speak with one voice to advocate industry standards, promote sound environmental policies and educate packaging professionals. GPI member companies manufacture glass containers for food, beverage, cosmetic and many other products. GPI also has associate members that represent a broad range of suppliers and closure manufacturers. To learn more, visit www.gpi.org  and UpgradetoGlass.com. Join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook @ChooseGlass.