Beyond Packaging with Laura Foti & Matthew Wright

In this episode of Beyond Packaging, hosts Laura Foti and Matthew Wright speak with Amanda Sparks, VP of Revenue at Micronetbd. Amanda shares insights on how specification management helps companies be strategic and make positive changes in their supply chains, all by using data.

Beyond Packaging is presented by Specright, the leader in Specification Management.

Feel free to connect with Laura Foti and Matthew Wright on LinkedIn

To listen to previous episodes click here or subscribe to our YouTube playlist.

In this episode, co-hosts Matthew Wright and Laura Foti dive into how packaging is transforming the food and beverage industry. They discuss three stories, from nostalgic mac and cheese makeovers to punk rock energy drinks and snack downsizing. Tune in to hear how design, consumer trends, and brand strategy all impact shelf performance, and what it means for the future of the food and beverage industry.

Beyond Packaging is presented by Specright, the leader in Specification Management.

Feel free to connect with Laura Foti and Matthew Wright on LinkedIn

To listen to previous episodes click here or subscribe to our YouTube playlist.

In this episode of Beyond Packaging, co-hosts Laura Foti and Matthew Wright sit down with Matt Daum, Dean and Associate Provost for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University (MSU), and former Director of MSU’s School of Packaging.

With over 25 years of industry experience, Matt shares key lessons from his career, including the importance of cross-functional collaboration and learning from failure. He discusses how academia and industry work together to prepare students for real-world packaging challenges, and highlights how emerging trends such as AI and sustainability-driven innovation guide the next generation workforce.

Beyond Packaging is presented by Specright, the leader in Specification Management.

Feel free to connect with Laura Foti and Matthew Wright on LinkedIn

To listen to previous episodes click here or subscribe to our YouTube playlist.

In this episode of Beyond Packaging, co-hosts Laura Foti and Matthew Wright unpack two topics impacting the packaging world today: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and evolving product labeling requirements.

From navigating regulatory shifts to the role of data in staying compliant and competitive, they explore how companies can adapt and thrive in a fast-changing landscape. Learn how to stay on top of packaging regulations and innovation trends, as well as hear about Matthew and Laura's new roles at Specright.

Beyond Packaging is presented by Specright, the leader in Specification Management.

Feel free to connect with Laura Foti and Matthew Wright on LinkedIn

To listen to previous episodes click here or subscribe to our YouTube playlist.

In this episode of Beyond Packaging, Laura Foti is joined by Specright’s Danielle Goad for a discussion around sustainability, expanding to diverse markets, and the next generation.

Danielle shares about her journey with Specright including work around sustainability, investing in the Academia program, and leading the expansion of a Specright presence in Europe. Additionally, the duo touch on the latest news in sustainable design and what sustainability is trending to look like in the future.

Beyond Packaging is presented by Specright, the leader in Specification Management.

Feel free to connect with Laura Foti and Danielle Goad on LinkedIn

To listen to previous episodes click here or subscribe to our YouTube playlist.

In this episode of Beyond Packaging, co-hosts Laura Foti and Matthew Wright dive into the critical topic of tariffs and their growing impact on global supply chains, the decisions major brands are making around sustainable packaging, and a conversation on brand identity.

Fresh off a panel at the MD&M event in New York, Matthew shares real-world challenges companies face—from deciding whether to relocate suppliers to maintaining visibility across complex vendor relationships. The conversation highlights why strong data and thoughtful planning are key to making confident, cost-effective decisions in uncertain times.

Beyond Packaging is presented by Specright, the leader in Specification Management.

Feel free to connect with Laura Foti and Matthew Wright on LinkedIn

To listen to previous episodes click here or subscribe to our YouTube playlist.

In this episode of Beyond Packaging, hosts Laura Foti and Matthew Wright sit down with Cory Connors—Sustainable Packaging podcast host and sustainable packaging consultant—to explore the intersection of sustainability, packaging, and data.

Cory shares insights into the urgency of sustainability especially around Extended Producer Responsibility, how businesses can take meaningful steps toward sustainable packaging, and why implementing upcoming best practices makes a lasting impact. Whether you're a business owner, packaging professional, or just curious about greener solutions, this episode offers valuable takeaways.

Beyond Packaging is presented by Specright, the leader in Specification Management.

Feel free to connect with Laura Foti and Matthew Wright on LinkedIn

To listen to previous episodes click here or subscribe to our YouTube playlist.

In the latest episode of Beyond Packaging, hosts Laura Foti and Matthew Wright engage with Matt Reynolds, Editor-in-Chief of Packaging World, to explore innovative packaging solutions and sustainability trends.

They discuss Target's paper wine bottles, legislative advances in extended producer responsibility, and the critical role of digital transformation in the packaging industry. The conversation highlights the importance of executive-level focus on packaging and the strategic use of AI and digital twins to boost efficiency and accelerate product development.

Closing thoughts emphasize the need for adopting digital tools to stay competitive, with an invitation to explore further insights on PackWorld.com.

Download the free report from Packaging World at: https://packworld.dragonforms.com/loading.do?pk=1126_podcast_video&omedasite=pwgmfd2024

Beyond Packaging is presented by Specright, the leader in Specification Management.

Feel free to connect with Laura Foti and Matthew Wright on LinkedIn

To listen to previous episodes click here or subscribe to our YouTube playlist.

In this episode of Beyond Packaging, Laura Foti and Matthew Wright chat with Ryan Fox of Bloomberg intelligence about tariffs, the price of corrugated packaging, the future of the box industry and more.

Plus, they'll go "Off the Shelf" with Matt Dingee at Michigan State University's New Product Works Collection to look back in time at tooth powder!

You can connect with Ryan Fox on LinkedIn.

Beyond Packaging is presented by Specright, the leader in Specification Management.

Feel free to connect with Laura Foti and Matthew Wright on LinkedIn

To listen to previous episodes click here or subscribe to our YouTube playlist.

In the inaugural episode of Beyond Packaging, hosts Laura Foti and Matthew Wright aim to explore the evolving landscape of packaging and specification management. The episode kicks off with a nostalgic reflection on Matthew’s early days in the packaging industry in New York. The discussion then transitions to contemporary issues, emphasizing the continued reliance on outdated methods—such as Excel, shared drives, and email—for managing complex product spec data.

The episode highlights the findings from Specright's third State of Spec Management report, revealing that 65% of professionals still use Excel, with increasing challenges in data accuracy and supplier collaboration. The podcast delves into the implications of new regulations like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, which are progressively being adopted in states like Maryland. Insights are shared on how these laws compel brands and packaging companies to modernize data management for compliance and sustainability. There's also a discussion on the rising consumer demand for transparency and the impact of greenwashing, exemplified by a recent fine imposed on Clorox in Australia for false sustainability claims.

Special guest Matt Dingee from Michigan State University's New Product Works Collection joins the show to discuss the significance of historical packaging and its potential for inspiring modern innovation. The collection, which houses over 140,000 packages, serves as a resource for both inspiration and practical insights, blending physical and digital data for future-ready solutions.

The episode concludes with the announcement of a recurring segment, "Off the Shelf with Matt Dingee," where Matt will present historical packaging to spark fresh insights and discussions.

Overall, the podcast underscores the urgent need for the packaging industry to embrace digital transformation in data management to drive compliance, innovation, and sustainability.

Beyond Packaging is presented by Specright, the leader in Specification Management.

Feel free to connect with Laura Foti and Matthew Wright on LinkedIn

To listen to previous episodes click here or subscribe to our YouTube playlist.