CHALLENGE

Kraco is the leading distributor of automotive aftermarket interior accessories. Each year, they introduce new product lines at the annual SEMA show to hundreds of potential buyers. Typically, the new products shown at SEMA are pre-production samples to gauge the interest of buyers. Buyers are also interested in how the products will be packaged to assure recognition on their shelves as well as the required footprint to be allocated.

Short run packaging required for their pre-production samples was a source of pain as they used color copies glued to hand cut corrugated samples. It took them 3-4 weeks to produce 165 sample boxes of inferior quality to display at SEMA. Through their ad agency (Jane Brenlin Design), Kraco reached out to Sir Speedy Whittier for a solution.

SOLUTION

As a leader in digital, large format production, Sir Speedy Whittier used its’ experience from sign making and short run packaging to develop a strategy to solve Kraco’s problem.

In working with the ad agency, we treated the project as if were a typical litho lam box project.

Because we have the ability to digitally print and CNC cut 4’ x 8’ sheets, the agency was able to design and layout various size boxes to accommodate the large footprint. Using inkjet technology, we printed the box labels on rolls of adhesive backed vinyl. We then gloss laminated the printed vinyl (to give it a UV finish look) and mounted it to 200# white C flute corrugated board. Once mounted to the 4’ x 8’ sheets, our team created score, perf and cut files for our CNC machine to create the individual boxes.

RESULT

In 5 days, Sir Speedy Whittier was able to produce 235 boxes of 28 different versions. The client was extremely happy with the results as the boxes looked as if they were the final product. Most importantly, they saved hundreds of hours in not having to cobble them together in house – time instead spent on more important customer outreach and SEMA show prep. In follow up after the show, Kraco reported their highest ever SEMA pre-order sales

If you’re ready to re-imagine a broken workflow and increase productivity, make an appointment with Sir Speedy today!

CASE STUDY

Category: MANUFACTURING
Client: KRACO