Putting On The Ritz

By Delilah Onofrey|April 3, 2009

One of the most exciting developments with The John Henry Co. has been its ability to adapt sophisticated packaging materials to our industry through its parent company Multi Packaging Solutions in New York City. Foil coatings add glitz and glam while still being environmentally friendly. Holographic materials create a three-dimensional look, an illusion of water or movement, or images that change back and forth.

At Greenheart Farms in Arroyo Grande, John Henry presented its marketing concepts in vignettes with a travel theme, ranging from Asian zen to New York City glamour and island tropics. A houseplant concept that promotes healthy living has a Scandinavian Ikea look.

John Henry also is benefiting from acquiring nursery tag specialist TGM in Texas. Nursery tags have been sorted into three standard sizes and can be designed with John Henry’s Image Ease program online. Growers can select their plant lists and add translations in Spanish and French. Clips used in the floral industry also work well securing tags to trees and shrubs. Another innovation on the nursery side is picture pots that represent a category, like native plants or plants that attract wildlife. Multiple images encourage purchasing companion plants.

John Henry continues to develop environmentally friendly and recyclable packaging materials and pursue ways to make them cost effective for growers. A new eco recycle HDPE is made completely from No. 2 plastic milk jugs. Another tag made from latex and paper, which are both natural products, biodegrades. Even the cart and rack graphics are recyclable.