Smurfit Kappa has won a top Nestlé award for an innovative collaboration to optimise the food giant’s packaging and supply chain.

Smurfit Kappa has been working to support Nestlé’s Virtuous Circle programme which drives year-on-year performance through innovation and sustainable business practices. The award relates to a joint collaboration between Smurfit Kappa and Nestlé involving the company’s cereal portfolio.

Harnessing the expertise built up from its SupplySmart service, Smurfit Kappa embarked on an ambitious and all-encompassing project to identify cost reductions and minimise wastage.

Some of the improvements made included changing packaging materials, streamlining logistics and increasing the efficiency of the goods receipt processing. The ongoing partnership between Smurfit Kappa and Nestlé Cereal Partners has so far delivered excellent savings.

At the Nestlé UK and Ireland Supplier Awards, which were held in London earlier this month, Smurfit Kappa impressed the judges for “the collaborative approach which they took in engaging with Cereal Partners in the End-to-End Walk initiative.”

Speaking about the award, Clive Bowers, Chief Executive Officer, Smurfit Kappa UK said: “Nestlé is a valued customer so we are delighted to get this recognition. The award is another example of how working closely together and truly understanding all aspects of a customer’s business can lead to a rewarding partnership.”