BIG Interview: Navigating innovation and sustainability with Kwik Lok closure systems

An expert in closures and closing machines, Kwik Lok is known for its commitment to innovation and sustainability. 

In an interview with Karen Reed, Marketing and Communications Director at Kwik Lok, we delve into the company's 70-year journey and remarkable evolution from producing closures for fruit bags to becoming a global leader in the industry. 

The interview emphasizes the company's commitment to differentiating itself through product quality, reliability, and strong customer relationships. It reveals the company's approach to adopting new technologies, such as ultrasonic welding and advanced printing solutions, to enhance tracking, tracing, and overall efficiency.

Fructidor: “Are there any notable customer success stories or case studies related to Kwik Lok closure systems?”

Karen Reed: “As Kwik Lok reaches our 70th anniversary, it’s amazing how our company has transformed itself from making a single closure for apple bags in Washington State, USA, to making closures and closing machines for hundreds of products.  Over the last five years, our investments in materials science have given us a variety of options that are better for people and the planet.”  

Fructidor: “Are there any upcoming products, technologies, or plans for expansion that you can share?”

Karen Reed: “We recently launched Enviro-Lok, a brand-new polypropylene bag closure made to keep products safe and fresh while also delivering a better potential for recycling. Enviro-Lok has the same strength and reliability our customers expect and has the added benefits of 34% less plastic, 67% less water, and 44% less carbon emissions than the standard Kwik Lok closure.”

Fructidor: “How do you envision the future of closure systems in the industry?”

Karen Reed: “As a global company, we know that the regulatory environment is becoming more complex. Customers need solutions that align with these regulations as well as their company values. Kwik Lok continues to invest in materials science so we can offer innovative solutions that meet these needs. We know that our customers feel pressure from consumers, to be honest and transparent about the impacts of packaging material. We understand this and can help our customers share data that is backed by science to support their sustainability claims.” 

“We also know many of our customers are experiencing hiring and employee retention challenges. Kwik Lok offers closing systems that are fully automated and can be managed from a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. Customers can reassign employees to other parts of the line where needed, and operations managers can check in on their Kwik Lok closing machine from anywhere.”

Fructidor: “How do you assess and measure the environmental impact of its closure systems throughout their lifecycle?”

Karen Reed: “Kwik Lok utilizes lifecycle analysis tools to understand the impacts of our closures. By understanding this information, we can help our customers find solutions that are fit for purpose and are less impactful to people and the planet. Customers can share this information with the consumer.”

Fructidor: “How does the company stay updated on evolving sustainability regulations and standards in the industry?”

Karen Reed: “We are actively involved in a variety of trade organizations. We are also members of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australian and New Zealand Plastics Pacts. Our involvement in these organizations gives us visibility and the opportunity to collaborate on solutions.”

Fructidor: “How do you adapt to changing market trends and customer demands in the closure systems industry?”

Karen Reed: “Our sales and customer service teams are in dialogue with our customers daily to understand the new challenges they face. They bring these challenges to our innovation and engineering teams, where they take a collaborative approach to finding solutions. Often, we work directly with customers to develop and test closing and printing options that can be scaled across the industry. Being open to change and creative in our innovations is key.”

Fructidor: “What challenges and opportunities arise from staying current with market dynamics?”

Karen Reed: “Over the past several years, we have diversified our portfolio of material options from one material to many to meet sustainability goals and regulations. Each new material has its properties that must be accounted for in the manufacturing process. This has been a challenge but also an opportunity to look at our processes and make improvements. As part of our process, we make sure that new materials will work on customer machines with little or no adaptations. We want to make transitions as easy as possible for the customer.” 

Fructidor: “In the rapidly evolving technology landscape, how does Kwik Lok approach adopting new technologies to enhance its closure systems?”

Karen Reed: “Kwik Lok has a history of listening to the customer and using technology to help meet their challenges. For example, we have introduced new printing solutions that help with tracking and tracing. Recently, we introduced a label that uses an ultrasonic weld rather than adhesive.”

Fructidor: “Are there specific challenges associated with incorporating technological advancements into your products?”

Karen Reed: “We want our innovations to work with the machines our customers already have with little or no alteration needed. This means we spend time carefully testing our products before launching them.”

Fructidor: “How does Kwik Lok navigate challenges within the global supply chain, especially considering the sourcing of materials and distribution of products?”

Karen Reed: “As a global company with six manufacturing facilities, we have built-in redundancy to meet our customer needs and source from multiple providers.”

Fructidor: “How to stay competitive in the industry, and what challenges are faced in maintaining a leadership position?”

Karen Reed: “We listen to our customers and ask questions to understand their challenges. Building strong relationships is key.”

Fructidor: “Are there strategies to differentiate Kwik Lok from competitors?”

Karen Reed: “The differentiating factor for Kwik Lok continues to be the quality of our products and our importance on our customer relationships. Our machines are easy to operate and reliable. Our closures keep bags closed from the packing facility to the consumer and through the end of the product life, which limits waste and food loss.”

If you're interested in collaboration with Kwik Lok or looking for bag closures for your fresh produce, send an inquiry