Blue Keld introduces spring water ice cubes in package featuring Zip-Pak technology

A Sandiacre form/fill/seal machine is used to produce the pillow bags, which feature Zip-Pak press-to-close zippers applied in the transverse direction for easy access from the top of the package.

23/01/06 Manteno, IL – Zip-Pak announces that Blue Keld, a leading British provider of bottled natural mineral water and spring water ice cubes, has introduced one of the first resealable ice packages in the UK. Blue Keld Spring Water Premium Ice Cubes™ are made from quality spring water and are packaged in one- and two-kilogram bags. A variant of the two-kilogram product has been released in a resealable bag featuring a press-to-close Zip-Pak zipper. Widely available at leading UK retail outlets such as Waitrose and Sainsburys, the product has exceeded sales expectations by over 30% in its first months on the market.

"We realized there was a real market for premium ice," explains Graham Cheesbrough, Managing Director at Blue Keld. "People who invest in quality beverages, such as high-end whisky and natural mineral waters, do not want to compromise the delicate flavour of their drinks with ice made from inferior water. We use only spring water to make our ice and wanted packaging that would reflect the high-quality of our product. The resealable bag has helped differentiate our brand from the competition and consumers have responded very well to the additional convenience."

A Sandiacre form/fill/seal machine is used to produce the pillow bags, which feature Zip-Pak press-to-close zippers applied in the transverse direction for easy access from the top of the package.

"Our research indicates that consumers of multi-serving products overwhelmingly prefer resealable packaging to standard flexible packaging pouches," explained Robert Hogan, Director of International Sales and Marketing at Zip-Pak. "As it is common for consumers to use bagged ice over a period of several weeks, a resealable zipper enhances packaging convenience by enabling easy storage after each use. We are seeing more and more leading ice brands worldwide incorporate zippers into their packaging."

To package their premium ice product, Blue Keld needs highly reliable packaging technology and technical support as any production problems can lead to melting, and additional costs.

"We have nothing but praise for the quality of Zip-Pak’s technology and technical support," concluded Cheesbrough. "Streamlined production is key to keeping our ice in top condition, with no melting or damage. Zip-Pak’s comprehensive technical support has allowed us to consistently produce and fill resealable bags at high speeds allowing us to effectively meet growing demand with quality product."