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As part of the recent major relaunch of the After Eight brand, Sessions of York has won the contract to supply Nestle with self-adhesive labels and labelling equipment for the new plastic pack format. The Sessions team rose to the challenge presented by the unique curved design of the avant-garde container by offering a complete labelling solution. This involved an ingenious combination of customised Sequence and Spectrum units to apply five boldly branded product labels to the top surface and all four sides of the box.

In a strategic brand overhaul, Nestle has unveiled a new logo and the exciting new packaging for the popular after dinner mints; together with a TV and press advertising campaign designed to update the After Eight image. Its successful long-term relationship with Sessions led the cor.fectionery giant to select the labelling specialist for this major project.

The Pack Change Project Manager at Nestle, comments “The development of the new labels was a real team effort. Despite a challenging brief, working with Sessions has been an incredibly positive process, with constructive discussion from all sides — and first class communication - contributing to the project’s success.

“First we presented the Sessions team with the original design, and they then suggested the best way to progress the labels, given all their skill and knowledge. They also drew on our previous experience with the original carton, in the decision to follow the UV flexo-printing route for the project. In terms of the labelling machinery, Sessions independently designed and constructed the units from scratch, in order to meet our very specific requirements. We’re delighted with the company’s work, and the appearance and quality of the final product.”

Following its removal from the injection moulder, the innovative After Eight plastics outer container passes sequentially through two Sessions’ labelling machines. The first unit is a specially adapted Sequence labeller, modified to handle the unusual curved packaging chosen by Nestle. This version has a configuration of three labelling heads; two applying side labels - and thus needing encoder linking to the product surface to synchronise the labelling speed with the undulating pack and one applying top labels.

The second stage of labelling involves the use of a Sessions semi-automatic Spectrum machine, which pre-dispenses the end labels at fixed speed, in readiness for pack insertion and application by the operator.

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