At MW, luxury is a way of life – and luxury packaging is about more than just good looks. Last year, the global company walked away with Luxury Packaging Manufacturer of the Year at the Luxury Packaging Awards. They’ve also enjoyed award success with individual packs, such as their gift boxes for Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Century and Sonos Play:1 Blue Note Speakers. Perhaps most impressive, though, is that MW was selected by Diageo to create packs for seven of their nine Special Release Single Malt Whiskies for 2015, a sign of their clout within the luxury packaging industry.

This month, MW are thrilled to be making an appearance at the Luxury Packaging 2016 events in London and Monaco, and are keen to show off some of their best packs. If you’re attending either of these conventions, stop by their stand and you’ll find luxury packaging, crafted from the finest materials, that never compromises on functionality.

So what’s the secret to MW’s success? As it turns out, a lot of hard work and dedication.

Before starting the manufacturing process, MW look at the strength of the design, bearing in mind the consumer experience. How easily will the pack open and close? What kinds of textures and finishes will be used? Will the box structure stand the test of time? Attention to detail is also important; no matter how small or subtle, the right flash of gold foil or grosgrain ribbon can provide the perfect finishing touch.

With the design firmly in place, it’s time to start the build – so far, so normal. But what makes MW different is their dedication to high standards, which is why their packs aren't sent out to consumers without first going through a series of rigorous tests.

Since attending a workshop on Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) earlier this year, MW have incorporated this cutting edge training into their manufacturing process. During the development of each and every pack, FMEA is used to review and update the product, providing an ongoing evaluation of potential risks which could negatively impact budget, quality or compliance requirements. Already, MW has found that this method of working has allowed for a safer, more efficient manufacturing process.

During the testing stage, MW’s packs are assessed for durability, resilience and stability. In their private laboratory, MW use tests like Sutherland Rub, UV ageing, burst strength and salt spray to put their packs through the wringer. They also test every pack to see how well it reacts to drops, compression, vibration and a variety of different climates. If a pack is going to wilt in the heat, or fall apart in the back of the delivery van, then it’s back to the drawing board.

The last stage involves external checks, done to ensure that MW’s luxury packs comply with international standards. All materials are tested to double check that they don’t pose a health or safety risk, and that they will cope with climatic fluctuations during transport, storage, and following purchase. They must also comply with environmental governances which ensure that all the materials used can be disposed of, or recycled, without causing harm to the environment.

Of course, the manufacturing process is just one aspect of MW’s approach to luxury packaging production. All MW team members live by the same ethos of care, quality and constant improvement – whether they deal with the manufacturing process, client services, supplier relations or staff training. That’s because they understand that producing luxury packaging is only possible when everyone involved is doing their best work.

If you're interested in working with MW, they’ll be showcasing their cutting edge luxury packs at the upcoming Luxury Packaging 2016 events in London Stand J56 and Monaco VA03.