DS Smith Packaging has won three of the coveted Worldstar awards, more than any other UK company, and is one of only two companies worldwide to score a hat trick in the 2006 competition!

The award winning packs reflect two major trends in the worldwide packaging market - the growth of highly effective retail ready packaging and the increasing use of corrugated in industrial markets. The retail ready packs are for Danone and The Cheese Company. The Danone pack for leading mineral brand, Shape, was designed by DS Smith Corrugated in Devizes and exemplifies the importance of easy in-store handling for this type of product.

The pack features grab handles as well as opening and carrying instructions and can be converted to the on-shelf display pack in a single movement.

DS Smith Speciality Packaging at Belper designed a pack to hold three flavours of cheese.

The previous packaging had involved a using a clear plastic tray in a transit case which had to be opened with a knife.

Belper's 100% corrugated solution is recyclable and quicker and safer to open in-store.

The Corrishield pallet pack created by DS Smith Speciality Packaging at Launceston incorporates anti-corrosion coating on pads inside double wall corrugated sleeves with PET laminated film trays top and bottom.

The ingenious use of a mix of materials with corrugated provides industrial customers with a much more environmentally acceptable means of transporting metal goods.

Terry Ousley, Director of DS Smith Packaging, commented: 'We are delighted with this public recognition'.

'We're finding that customers in every type of industry are looking for more effective and environmentally friendly packaging'.

'This means we are constantly challenging ourselves to develop innovative packs which have a positive impact at every stage in the supply chain'.

'Our Worldstar winners are excellent examples of what can be achieved through creative design.'