Reference

What does OBAL ROKU bring you? Why do you participate?

OBAL ROKU is a mirror of our courage to innovate and a rare opportunity to receive feedback from experts who share our passion for creating outstanding packaging. In our daily operations, we mainly focus on client needs, but this competition gives us the freedom to step into the unknown. Here, we receive feedback in areas where we’re usually the ones giving it. Some collect trophies, others collect experiences — from OBAL ROKU, we bring home both.

What do you expect from OBAL ROKU?

We primarily expect OBAL ROKU to offer an open confrontation of our solutions with the best in the industry. It allows us to objectively test whether what we see as innovation and functionality truly holds up against the competition and aligns with current trends. In the feedback from independent experts, we look for inspiration and concrete suggestions that help us stay ahead in terms of sustainability, technical execution, and customer experience. The competition motivates us not to become complacent — it confirms whether we’re thinking in terms of the entire packaging lifecycle, from design to recycling.

If you had to describe OBAL ROKU in one sentence, what would it be?

OBAL ROKU is a festival of ideas and the culmination of year-long effort that pushes the boundaries of innovation and sustainability in the Czech packaging industry.

What would you advise companies or designers who are planning to enter OBAL ROKU for the first time?

Don’t be afraid to be authentic and share the journey — including the obstacles you had to overcome during the development process. Honesty and your unique story often resonate the most. Participating in OBAL ROKU is a chance to learn, build new connections, and be inspired by the best on the market. Think about what makes your solution unique, what its real value is, and turn the courage to stand out from the crowd into your greatest asset.

What are your ambitions for this year - what do you and your company expect from it?

Our main ambition is to show that sustainability — the cornerstone of DS Smith — has a real impact not only on our products but on the packaging industry as a whole. We’d like to inspire others and prove that an eco-friendly approach can be both a realistic standard and a competitive advantage. If we also manage to influence trends and move the perception of sustainable packaging a step forward, that will be the best reward we could ask for.

What does OBAL ROKU bring you? Why do you participate?

The OBAL ROKU award, which we have received many times in the past, represents prestige, recognition of the work of our specialists, and the quality of our product portfolio. At the same time, it serves as a strong reference for our business partners both at home and abroad. Winning in this competition also opens the door to participating in the prestigious global competition WorldStar Award for Packaging, in which we have already received 14 awards.

If you had to describe OBAL ROKU in one sentence, what would it be?

OBAL ROKU is a ticket into the exclusive world of global packaging manufacturers.

What would you advise companies or designers who are planning to enter OBAL ROKU for the first time?

Definitely take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to receive valuable feedback from experts. I recommend presenting your entry in person to the evaluation committee, because you are the one who can best highlight the details that might ultimately make the difference in your favor.

What are your ambitions for this year - what do you and your company expect from it?

 This year as well, we are entering only those packaging solutions we consider exceptional in their concept, execution, and added value. Our ambition is to succeed in increasingly strong competition, knowing that we have done everything possible to ensure the success of our products.

What does OBAL ROKU bring you? Why do you participate?

OBAL ROKU is a great opportunity for us to showcase what we can do – to present new ideas and sustainable solutions we passionately work on, and to gain valuable feedback. The competition allows us to see how we stand compared to the competition and confirms that our solutions make sense and resonate with the market.

What do you expect from OBAL ROKU?

We expect inspiration – it's also a show, and even though we’ve been in the packaging industry for a long time, there’s always something that manages to surprise us.

If you had to describe OBAL ROKU in one sentence, what would it be?

OBAL ROKU is a respected competition that connects innovation, sustainability, and creativity in the packaging industry.

What would you advise companies or designers who are planning to enter OBAL ROKU for the first time?

Go for it! OBAL ROKU isn’t a beauty contest – it’s about uniqueness, quality, the story, and the added value. Even a small innovation can make a big impact, and through OBAL ROKU, you get the chance to show it to experts, peers from related fields, and the general public.

What are your ambitions for this year - what do you and your company expect from it?

We want to reaffirm our position as a leader in sustainable plastic packaging. OBAL ROKU also motivates us in a healthy way to think innovatively – even when we’re running on well-established (albeit high-quality and proven) tracks.

What does OBAL ROKU bring you? Why do you participate?

For us, the OBAL ROKU competition is a time-tested and valuable platform that recognizes not only aesthetics, but also functionality and sustainability of packaging. At Manufaktura, we believe that a beautiful, user-friendly, and well-thought-out package created with respect for nature is an integral part of the cosmetic product experience. Participating in OBAL ROKU provides us with valuable feedback from the expert jury, inspiration from other participants, and confirmation that we are heading in the right direction when it comes to packaging.

What do you expect from OBAL ROKU?

We look forward to inspiring encounters with industry experts and professionals, fair evaluation of the work of our creative team, and the opportunity to showcase packaging solutions that combine aesthetics with sustainability. Since our products regularly rank among the top entries in this competition, OBAL ROKU recognition is both a joy and a motivation for our developers, graphic designers, and artists who play a crucial role in shaping our packaging. Lastly, the award also serves as a strong sales argument that we can incorporate into our marketing strategy.

If you had to describe OBAL ROKU in one sentence, what would it be?

OBAL ROKU is a high-quality competition that, through an expert jury, recognizes aesthetics, functionality, sustainability, and innovation in packaging design, while inspiring and motivating brands to achieve higher quality.

What advice would you give to companies or designers planning to enter OBAL ROKU for the first time?

From our experience, the expert jury has always appreciated our comprehensive approach to packaging design. Therefore, we recommend that when presenting submitted products, you go beyond the basic function of packaging—product protection—and also focus on user-friendliness, practicality, and overall functionality, which are essential for the end customer. Design also plays a crucial role—in our case, for example, striking aesthetics with emotional impact and collaboration with artists. Last but not least, we strongly advise emphasizing ecology and sustainability, which are essential elements of modern packaging. We believe that connecting all these aspects is the key to success.

What does OBAL ROKU bring you? Why do you participate?

OBAL ROKU is a great opportunity for us to showcase what we are capable of—technologically, creatively, and sustainably. Participating gives us valuable feedback from industry experts and a chance to highlight the concrete work of our people and our clients. It's not just about talking innovation—it’s about demonstrating it.

What do you expect from OBAL ROKU?

We expect a fair and professional comparison of our solutions with the best on the market. We believe the competition sparks innovation, promotes quality in packaging design, and encourages discussions about trends and the future of packaging both in the Czech Republic and globally.

If you had to describe OBAL ROKU in one sentence, what would it be?

OBAL ROKU is an overview of what currently deserves attention in the packaging world.

What would you advise companies or designers who are planning to enter OBAL ROKU for the first time?

Don’t be afraid to show what makes your work different—whether it’s an innovative technology, sustainable materials, or a new way of engaging with customers. Be authentic and confident enough to stand alongside the best—because that’s exactly what OBAL ROKU is about.

What are your ambitions for this year - what do you and your company expect from it?

We want to show that packaging can be not only beautiful, but also smartly designed, environmentally friendly, and highly functional. Our ambition is to maintain our position as a leader in packaging solutions, to inspire others, and above all, to confirm that the path we’ve chosen as a company is the right one.

What does OBAL ROKU bring you? Why do you participate?

OBAL ROKU has been a great opportunity for us to showcase the results of our work beyond everyday operations. We appreciated the feedback from professionals and the chance to meet people from the industry. Taking part in the last two editions was a valuable experience – and the 2023 award confirmed that we are on the right track.

What do you expect from OBAL ROKU?

We see it as a platform for sharing experiences, ideas, and perspectives across the industry. It’s a great way to follow new trends, understand where the market is heading, and compare our approach with others.

If you had to describe OBAL ROKU in one sentence, what would it be?

OBAL ROKU is a place where technology, ideas, and a responsible approach to packaging come together.

What advice would you give to companies or designers planning to enter OBAL ROKU for the first time?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. The competition can offer new perspectives on what you do and help you articulate what makes your packaging unique. It’s definitely worth trying.

What are your ambitions for this year - what do you and your company expect from it?

This year, we’re fully focused on developing new solutions that reflect where the market and legislation are heading. We’re not entering the current edition, but we continue to follow the competition and look forward to returning in the future with a new and exciting project.

What does OBAL ROKU bring you? Why do you participate?

In our specific industry, it is the only and unique opportunity to compare our packaging solutions within the automotive category. The feedback from the expert jury is also very valuable to us. It is, in fact, the only competition we can participate in.

What do you expect from OBAL ROKU?

Visibility and potentially recognition of our work, as well as our facility.

If you had to describe OBAL ROKU in one sentence, what would it be?

OBAL ROKU is an opportunity for virtually any company or even individual, including in less traditional categories, to benchmark their work against the competition and showcase their solutions and ideas.

What would you advise companies or designers who are planning to enter OBAL ROKU for the first time?

Don’t underestimate the preparation. A detailed description emphasizing the uniqueness of the solution is key. It’s also important to present your work well and be ready to answer the jury’s questions.

What does OBAL ROKU bring you?

OBAL ROKU brings us fun, feedback from an independent jury, and the chance to compare our innovation and creativity with the rest of the market.

Why do you take part?

Because we want to – and we enjoy it! We want to show that packaging can be created in many ways, but it must always deliver value – not just to the client, but also to the end users.

What do you expect from OBAL ROKU?

A title that gives us the right to compete with packaging solutions from around the world. Then, proudly – with the Czech lion on our chest and the OBAL ROKU/SYBA logo on our sleeve – we’ll fight not only for Smurfit Westrock, but above all for the customer. The customer who also takes a risk, but proves to everyone that an open mind and trust in a packaging expert can lead to cost savings, reduced emissions, and sometimes even increased sales.

If you had to describe OBAL ROKU in one sentence, what would it be?

A prestigious packaging competition with a long tradition and great reputation, which continues to evolve and innovate – and which promotes its winners not only on the Czech and Slovak markets, but also globally thanks to its direct connection with WorldStar.

What advice would you give to companies or designers entering OBAL ROKU for the first time?

Prepare thoroughly, analyze your packaging and its benefits in detail, and present the jury with concrete data.

What are your ambitions for this year - what do you and your company expect from it?

To win – what else :-) Well, several times, to be precise :-)

What does OBAL ROKU bring you? Why do you participate?

The OBAL ROKU competition is the only prestigious packaging competition in the Czech-Slovak region with a long-standing tradition. It is an annual challenge for our designers to contribute something exceptional in the packaging segment. We do not submit all our designs created in the past year; every year we organize an internal pre-selection of designs and choose only the best proposals from all those created in the last year. Besides our ambition to bring innovations to the world of packaging and, of course, the ambition to win, this competition gives us the opportunity to meet the elite of designers and manufacturers in the Czech-Slovak market across all packaging segments.

What do you expect from OBAL ROKU?

The OBAL ROKU label can be proudly displayed by every package that has brought such an innovative solution to the social or business world that it significantly improved the product’s life cycle inside that package. By the entire life cycle, I mean its production, product promotion in the eyes of users with intuitive packaging features, its further use, or selection at the end of its life cycle.

If you had to describe OBAL ROKU in one sentence, what would it be?

OBAL ROKU is the most prestigious Czech-Slovak competition for packaging innovations with a long tradition.

What advice would you give to companies or designers planning to enter OBAL ROKU for the first time?

My advice for first-time entrants is to be ambitious and not be afraid to submit as many of their designs as possible. It is important to prepare a quality way of communicating and presenting their design, because details that may seem ordinary to a designer or manufacturer can be crucial for the judging committee.

What are your ambitions for this year - what do you and your company expect from it?

We have many challenges and ambitions, as every year. Again, we would be happy if we (Smurfit Westrock Group) win the highest number of OBAL ROKU awards and some recognition at World Star. This year we have prepared a truly ambitious, almost revolutionary design that we have worked on for more than a year. I don’t want to reveal details, but I believe the mentioned paper packaging will be among the awarded packages.

What does OBAL ROKU bring you? Why do you participate?

OBAL ROKU represents a unique opportunity for us to publicly showcase our most advanced packaging solutions and reaffirm our role as a leader in sustainable and innovative packaging. We have been following and actively participating in the competition for many years because it provides us with valuable feedback from a professional jury while also motivating and driving us forward. Every award we receive is a recognition of the work of our entire team behind the packaging solution. Thanks to this competition, we can present ourselves not only within the Czech market but also build on our success internationally, for example, at the WorldStar Awards. At the same time, it helps us strengthen trust with our customers, who can see that our solutions can withstand tough competition and reflect modern trends.

What do you expect from OBAL ROKU?

We primarily expect constructive feedback from top industry experts, but also inspiration. The number of entries grows each year, and we enjoy observing how packaging solutions continue to evolve—whether in terms of design or the use of cutting-edge technologies. We believe the competition has the power to cultivate the entire packaging market, push the boundaries of quality and sustainability, and open discussions about the future of packaging.

If you had to describe OBAL ROKU in one sentence, what would it be?

OBAL ROKU is a mirror of the very best that today’s packaging industry has to offer.

What would you advise companies or designers who are planning to enter OBAL ROKU for the first time?

To anyone entering the competition for the first time, I would recommend approaching the packaging design comprehensively. Think not only about its appearance but also about its functionality, product protection, logistical efficiency, and environmental impact. The jury looks at packaging as a part of the entire value chain, and that’s what makes this competition exceptional. It’s important to have the courage to bring something new, to be persuasive about why the packaging was created and what real value it delivers. And last but not least, think sustainably—because that is the key to long-term success not just in the competition, but also in business.

What does OBAL ROKU bring you? Why do you participate in it?

Our company loves challenges. They are what continuously push us forward—sometimes even beyond the visible horizon of ordinary possibilities.

We are eager to show both the industry experts and prospective as well as our existing customers that we truly understand our work and are not afraid of unconventional solutions.

For the engineering team—in other words, our designers—regular participation in this national competition is essentially a reward for a year of hard work.

Most of us have a competitive spirit deep down, so this event provides a unique opportunity to compare our embodied ideas and implemented innovations with those of designers from other companies.

What do you expect from OBAL ROKU?

We don’t participate just for the sake of taking part; naturally, we aim for winning positions.

We also look forward to receiving well-founded feedback from the expert judging panel—a gesture that every developer appreciates.

As already mentioned, it is also about showing appreciation to our designers for their excellent work, which in turn fuels them with new mental energy for even better achievements.

It underlines our high level of expertise and reinforces our position as leading custom packaging specialists in the market.

And of course, not least, it serves as marketing support for our company, our packaging solutions, and our personal approach to customer service.

If you had to describe OBAL ROKU in one sentence, how would it go?

An attractive platform that fosters the sharing of ideas among people who are naturally passionate about packaging.

What advice would you give to companies or designers who are about to participate in OBAL ROKU for the first time?

Don’t hesitate—go for it! You will see that this opportunity will present you with new challenges, interesting feedback, and will push you a little further ahead.

Moreover, as a long-time participant in "OBAL ROKU", we are excited to welcome new players to this contest.

What are your ambitions for this year’s contest – what do you hope to achieve for yourself and your company?

The key motivation remains the same: we want to showcase what we do best.

In the long run, our aim is to bring to the competition a truly robust industrial carton—one that, within the general realm of packaging, stands apart from more attractive commercial packages.

This year, I would like to present excellent packaging solutions, specifically from the category of large packages made of heavy carton, created by our younger designers.

From the company’s perspective? Simply put, we want to proclaim that we are here and that we know our work.

We’re looking forward to it!