For the first time in its program history, one package entry took the first-place President's Award in the Paperboard Packaging Council's National Paperboard Packaging competition. That winner: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems for its beverage carrier-dispenser designed for FridgeMaster and the Coca-Cola Co.

Along with the President's Award, the MeadWestvaco carton also scored a first-place in the Structural/Technical Innovation category. Unusual carrying and dispensing features that are very consumer-friendly made the entry stand out, said the judges. The strength of the handle and dispenser allow it to be carried even after it has been opened, and by composing the package's corners with opposing arcs rather than traditional straight-line scores, the MeadWestvaco team constructed a tight, strong carton. Judges also noted the carton's die cuts, print quality and exact registration.

Twenty-one other entries took Gold Awards. They include Carauster Custom Packaging Group, Color-Box LLC, F.M. Howell & Co., Green Bay Packaging, Inc., Neff Packaging Solutions, Rock-Tenn Co., Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., Somerville Packaging, and Thoro Packaging. All the award winners were honored March 18 at the PPC annual spring meeting in Washington, D.C.