Work/Life Balance: A Top Priority

• 53% of employees say a role that allows them to have greater work-life balance and better personal well-being is “very important” to them. (Source: Gallup State of the Workplace poll)
• After an attractive salary and long-term job security, employees rank “good work-life balance” as an important attribute in gauging the attractiveness of an organization. (Source: Randstad Employer Brand Research Report)
• Another survey found that work-life balance won out over both salary and flexible schedule as the most important factor when evaluating a job prospect. This was consistent among people who are parents and those who aren’t. (Source: FlexJobs Survey)

A healthy work/life balance leads to higher employee satisfaction, productivity and retention.

• The Corporate Executive Board found that employees work 21% harder when they feel they have adequate work/life balance and are 33% more likely to stay.
• In contrast: 54% of Americans don’t use their full vacation time, typically due to work/life balance challenges.
• These challenges also lead to increased absenteeism, averaging 6 days each year per employee and costing U.S. businesses $80 billion annually. Health care expenditures are 50% higher for workers who report a high level of stress.

The High Cost of an Unsafe Workplace

• The estimated cost of non-fatal injuries averages over $1 Billion per week
• Overexertion is among the highest contributors to non-fatal workplace injuries

A Simple Training Approach to Improving Workplace Safety

• Part I: Hazard Recognition. Build employees’ visual literacy in identifying potential hazards. Simple activities can be the most misleading.
• Part II: Slips, Trips and Falls: the #1 cause of workplace fatalities. Help employees instill meticulous jobsite “housekeeping” practices and provide them with the right equipment (such as slip resistant footwear).
• Part III: Fatigue. Educate employees on the importance of adequate sleep, nutrition and provide resources to help with work/life balance.
• Part IV: Impairment. The most common incidences are related to substance abuse. Provide confidentiality, resources and support to help employees who may be struggling.
• Part V: Commitment: Have all of your employees take the National Safety Council’s “Safe At Work” Pledge, and acknowledge their commitment with a certificate:

I pledge to:

• Never compromise my own safety or the safety of my co-workers to get the job done
• Actively look for hazards, promptly report them, and take appropriate action to warn others
• Be a good safety role model for my friends and family even when off the job

Spotlight on Hoffer Plastics and BBC Cellpack: A 100% Sustainable Pouch

Hoffer Plastics is proud to have partnered with BBC Cellpack to create a breakthrough innovation in flexible pouch packaging for the European market. CELLPouch is a state-of-the-art stand-up pouch that’s 100% recyclable. It was designed to meet the European Commission's strict requirements, whereby all plastic packaging on the EU market must be recyclable by 2030. Every element of the packaging is recyclable: the printed laminate film as well as the closure cap can be disposed of with the household recyclable materials and re-purposed for other uses. The technology used to produce CELLPouch has been proven to reduce carbon emissions and enables processing of recyclable, biodegradeable nanomaterials.

In addition to being 100% recyclable, CELLPouch also offers substantial benefits for consumers. Its superior film barrier protects against oxygen and water vapor damage, and can withstand hot filled products. This helps ensure superior product quality and safety, as does its child proof safety cap. The laminate material used in forming the pouch can be customized in terms of colors, printing and branding, and the various sizes available can accommodate variations in the caps and closures. It’s an exciting, sustainable packaging solution for a wide range of food, beverage, personal care and household products.

“We were honored to work with the BBC Cellpack Team on this truly breakthrough sustainable innovation”, says Alex Hoffer, Vice President of Business Development for Hoffer Plastics. “We’re excited about the opportunity to co-create products that bring substantial benefits to the environment and consumers.” The collective Hoffer/Cellpack Team looks forward to bringing CELLPouch to Europe and other consumers around the globe.

Spotlight on Hoffer Plastics: A Company Culture Centered on “Service”

Spotlight on Engineering Innovation:

Hoffer Plastics Tether Lok Closure

The Hoffer Engineering team played a key role in developing and successfully launching an innovative new closure for flexible pouch packaging. Tether Lok is a one piece spout and cap fitment, ready to be installed on horizontal form, fill and seal pouches. The real benefit is for the end user: the tethered, flip-top design is self closing—so it's perfect for on-the-go usage for busy, active families. "It was a challenge to design and produce a closure that could deliver outstanding seal integrity while being compatible with customers' preformed pouches and equipment", says James Harris, Director of Engineering. "We went through many rounds of raw material sourcing, design iterations, prototyping and in-line testing before we had it right. We love a challenge, especially when it brings real benefits to our customers and to the end users of their products."

The tethered top eliminates the frustration of lost or misplaced caps, product spillage and waste. It also reduces the potential for product safety and spoilage issues. “Tether Lok represents a real advancement in convenience, product quality and product safety and environmental sustainability”, says Alex Hoffer, Vice President of Sales and Operations. “In applications from baby food to functional beverages to condiments, consumers will love that they can open, enjoy, and easily re-close the product with one hand." And with a self attached tethered cap, less plastic enters the environment. Tether Lok is molded using a proprietary resin that offers excellent sealing properties, multiple color options, and is also environmentally friendly.

An ounce of prevention and forward thinking

A Complex, Challenging Issue with Serious Consequences

Inspirations from Hoffer Plastics: How a Small Company Leads in Gratitude