Netpak operational update regarding COVID-19 and folding carton production continuity
During the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, Netpak remained operational as an essential packaging supplier. This archived update explains the continuity measures, hygiene practices, warehouse coordination and production controls used to support customers that depended on printed folding cartons for food, pharmaceutical, health and beauty, retail and consumer goods packaging.
Why packaging continuity mattered during COVID-19
In March 2020, many consumer brands were working through supply disruption, customer demand volatility and facility safety requirements at the same time. For companies selling packaged food, pharmaceutical products, personal care goods, retail products and other essential consumer items, packaging availability was part of production readiness.
Netpak issued this operational update to confirm that its folding carton packaging operations remained active and that its warehouse and logistics teams were available to help customers maintain continuity. The company also reported that COVID-19 had not affected its production capabilities or raw material supply at the time of the update.
For packaging buyers, the message was direct. Netpak remained available to produce the printed folding cartons needed to keep customer production lines moving, while also tightening facility controls designed to reduce transmission risk.
Packaging continuity depends on both manufacturing capacity and logistics coordination. During the 2020 disruption period, Netpak’s warehouse and logistics teams remained available to support deliveries.
A packaging supplier must protect both product flow and facility discipline
Business continuity in folding carton packaging depends on controlled production, reliable raw material access, warehouse execution, shipping coordination and clear facility protocols. During a public health emergency, those operational basics became even more important for customers that could not pause production.
The controls Netpak communicated to customers
Netpak’s 2020 operational update described practical measures for hygiene, illness prevention, cleaning, distancing, travel-related isolation and facility access. Those controls reflected the public health priorities communicated during the early pandemic period, especially hand hygiene, reduced contact, symptom monitoring and limiting exposure risk.2,3,4
Handwashing and personal hygiene
Employees were instructed to wash hands often with warm water and soap throughout the production process, avoid touching the face, eyes, nose and mouth, and follow stricter personal hygiene practices.
Enhanced routine cleaning
Netpak reinforced cleaning of high-contact surfaces such as door handles, keyboards, mice and shared work areas to reduce contamination risk inside the facility.
Restricted facility entry
External suppliers, visitors, customers, transport personnel and children were not permitted into the facility unless specifically approved.
Social distancing practices
The company instructed employees to respect distancing practices, with a minimum spacing requirement identified in the original operational notice.
Stay home when sick
Employees were instructed to stay home in the case of illness symptoms such as fever, dry cough or breathing difficulties.
Isolation after travel exposure
Employees returning from business travel or vacation outside Canada, or living with someone who had travelled outside Canada, were subject to a 14-day isolation period under the original 2020 policy.
Netpak confirmed full production capability for customer packaging programs
The original update stated that COVID-19 had no effect on Netpak’s production capabilities or raw material supply at that time. That point mattered for customers that relied on printed folding cartons for active production lines, scheduled product launches, essential packaged goods and retailer commitments.
Folding carton packaging is not only a printed container. It is part of production planning, fulfillment timing, retailer readiness, SKU continuity and brand presentation. A late carton can delay a production run even when the product itself is ready.
Netpak’s message to customers was that its team remained available to maintain business-as-usual support where possible, including production, warehousing and delivery coordination.
Business continuity also depends on supplier qualification
A packaging supplier’s continuity plan is stronger when it is supported by documented quality systems, controlled production processes and recognized certification programs. Netpak’s current certification base includes BRCGS Packaging Materials AA+, ISO 9001, GMI, G7 Master colour programs and FSC, PEFC and SFI chain-of-custody options for folding carton production.5
BRCGS Packaging Materials
BRCGS Packaging Materials is designed for packaging manufacturing sites and supports supplier assessment for food and consumer product packaging programs.6
ISO 9001
ISO 9001 quality management supports documented processes, corrective actions and process discipline across production environments.
GMI and G7 programs
Colour control programs help brands maintain more consistent print output across packaging runs, especially when shelf presentation and brand colour accuracy matter.
FSC, PEFC and SFI options
Chain-of-custody and responsible sourcing options support packaging buyers that need traceable paperboard sourcing and sustainability documentation.7,8
How to reduce packaging disruption risk in future supply chain events
The COVID-19 period showed why packaging teams need supplier visibility before disruption reaches the production floor. The same operational logic applies to labour interruptions, raw material volatility, freight delays, retailer deadline compression and sudden demand changes.
Confirm specifications early
Keep carton dimensions, board grade, coatings, print requirements, die-lines, artwork files and approval documents current before production timing becomes urgent.
Align demand with production
Share updated forecasts, purchase timing, launch dates and retailer deadlines so the packaging supplier can plan capacity and material needs.
Review warehousing needs
Determine whether finished cartons need staged delivery, coordinated release, inventory support or a more structured logistics plan.
Verify supplier controls
Ask for certification documentation, quality requirements, traceability expectations and facility controls before approving a new or revised packaging program.
The 2020 update remains useful as a business continuity reference
This article should be read as an archived COVID-19 operational update from March 2020. The specific travel isolation rules and visitor restrictions reflected the conditions and guidance of that period.
The broader business continuity lessons remain relevant. Packaging buyers still need suppliers that can communicate clearly, maintain production discipline, support warehouse coordination and operate under documented quality systems.
Public health guidance has also evolved since 2020. Current Canadian guidance for respiratory infectious diseases continues to emphasize staying home when sick, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, ventilation and mask use when appropriate.3,4
Review your folding carton packaging continuity plan with Netpak
Send Netpak your carton specifications, approved artwork, board requirements, certification needs, launch timing, production volumes, warehousing requirements and delivery cadence. Netpak can review your folding carton packaging program for production readiness, supplier documentation, print requirements, logistics coordination and continuity risk.
Sources
- Netpak, custom folding cartons and North American packaging capabilities. https://www.netpak.com/
- World Health Organization, interim recommendations on obligatory hand hygiene against transmission of COVID-19. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/interim-recommendations-on-obligatory-hand-hygiene-against-transmission-of-covid-19
- Public Health Agency of Canada, COVID-19 spread, prevention and risks. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks.html
- Public Health Agency of Canada, respiratory infectious diseases, reduce your risk. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/respiratory-infectious-diseases-reduce-spread-personal-protective-measures.html
- Netpak, packaging certifications and compliance. https://www.netpak.com/en/company/certifications-compliance/
- BRCGS, Packaging Materials standard. https://www.brcgs.com/our-standards/packaging-materials/
- Forest Stewardship Council, paper and packaging. https://fsc.org/en/businesses/paper-packaging
- PEFC, packaging and chain-of-custody certification. https://www.pefc.org/for-business/pefc-and-key-sectors/packaging
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, good hygiene practices for reducing the spread of infection. https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/good_hygiene.html
- CDC, summary of guidance for public health strategies to address high levels of community transmission of SARS-CoV-2. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6949e2.htm