By Boulder Brands,

When it comes to its spreads business, Boulder Brands thinks four corners are better than none.

The maker of Smart Balance heart healthier foods and Earth Balance plant-based foods is rolling out innovative square packaging for Smart Balance buttery spreads and Earth Balance natural and organic buttery spreads, in a move that will revolutionize the way products are displayed in the dairy case and stored in the warehouse.

The new square packaging is now 4-inches wide. The previous round packaging featured a 4.5-inch diameter.

The conversion from round to square space-saving tubs – a first in the industry – solves one of the biggest issues grocers face with dairy products today: freeing up refrigerated shelf and warehouse space. With this move, Boulder Brands expects shelf efficiency to increase by 50% and warehouse efficiency to increase by up to 60%.

By switching from a 4.5-inch diameter round tub to a 4-inch wide square tub, Smart Balance and Earth Balance will allow grocers to put 60 units on the shelf in the same space that previously held 40. Facings will grow from 10 to 12 and rows will increase from four to five deep. Retailers will be able to reduce out of stocks while at the same time offer great variety on the shelf.

The transition to a space-saving tub also provides significant space savings in the warehouse, where Boulder Brands anticipates space efficiency increases of between 30 and 60%, depending on the item.

This accomplishment will result in no changes in the product price, weight, volume and ingredients.

“Boulder Brands is committed to creating innovative, solution-driven products for grocers and consumers,” said Steve Hughes, chairman and CEO of Boulder Brands. “If our leadership motivates other spreads and dairy items to go square, larger grocers can gain up to 30 or 40 feet on the shelves. This allows retailers to introduce new foods to consumers, including a wider selection of Smart Balance and Earth Balance varieties.”

Boulder Brands is making the capital investments at no additional cost to grocers and consumers, and Hughes said it reinforces the company’s commitment to the spreads category.

“Reaction from our customers has been strongly positive,” said Hughes, “and we expect this initiative to strengthen our retail partnerships and drive incremental business gains.”

The change also achieves significant carbon savings. A study conducted for Boulder Brands by Renewable Choice Energy, a Boulder-based sustainability consulting firm, finds that the new design will reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the products’ packaging, distribution, and retail energy-use by 18% over the course of the product’s life cycle (169 grams CO2 per tub).

“The new package design reduces the amount of shelf space occupied by each product at stores, and also requires less material to produce,” said Matt Wood, vice president of consulting for Renewable Choice. “These improvements generate significant carbon savings for Smart Balance and Earth Balance, and changes to the 15-ounce Smart Balance packaging alone could reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions related to the product by more than 700 tons.”
The square packaging will begin to appear on grocery shelves in late-Q2 and should fully replace the round tubs on shelf by mid-Q3. All 13 varieties of Smart Balance buttery spreads, and five varieties of Earth Balance natural and organic buttery spreads, will convert to the square tubs.

About Boulder Brands Inc.
Boulder Brands Inc. is committed to providing superior tasting, solution-driven products in every category it enters. The company’s health and wellness platform consists of brands that target specific consumer needs: Glutino and Udi’s for gluten-free diets; Earth Balance for plant-based diets; and Smart Balance for heart healthier diets. For more information about Boulder Brands Inc., please visit www.boulderbrands.com.

About Earth Balance
Based near Boulder, Colo., Earth Balance produces a line of delicious buttery spreads, shortenings, nut butters, soymilk, soy nog, coconut spread and alternative mayo. All Earth Balance products are plant-based, vegan, made without artificial ingredients and hydrogenated oils, and are free of gluten, lactose and eggs, offering a delicious alternative for individuals with food sensitivities and those seeking healthier options for their favorite foods. Earth Balance products are a great complement to cooking and baking and some can be enjoyed on their own. Earth Balance strongly supports the Non-GMO Project and sustainable agriculture practices, and all Earth Balance products are made without genetically modified ingredients. Earth Balance promotes a plant-based diet and earth-friendly lifestyle through its Made Just Right online social community. Earth Balance is a division of GFA Brands, Inc., an operating affiliate of Boulder Brands Inc. For more information, visit www.EarthBalanceNatural.com and www.MadeJustRight.com.

About Smart Balance
The Smart Balance brand provides superior tasting, heart healthier alternatives in many product categories by avoiding trans fats naturally, balancing fats and/or reducing saturated fats, and, in many instances, adding beneficial ingredients that people may be missing in their diets. Products include Smart Balance Buttery Spreads, Sticks, Milks, Peanut Butter, Cooking Oil, Light Mayonnaise Dressing, Non-Stick Cooking Spray, and Microwave Popcorn. For more information about Smart Balance products and the Smart Balance Food Plan, please visit www.smartbalance.com.

SOURCE: Boulder Brands Inc.