.jpg)
.webp)
From Packaging Pioneering to Innovative Leadership
Matthew Wright is a visionary who has spent over 25 years in the packaging industry, holding leadership roles at International Paper, Temple Inland, and co-founding Write Pack. His career trajectory led to the creation of Specright, the first cloud-based platform focused on specification management, recognized for its innovative contributions by Fast Company and Gartner.
A Journey Fueled by Curiosity
Matthew's journey in packaging, as he describes it, was an "accidental marriage." Intrigued by the ever-evolving and complex nature of packaging, he transitioned from sales to manufacturing, where he found a realm that kept him constantly engaged. The intricate details and perpetual challenges of the packaging world matched his need for continuous innovation and organization.
The Chaos of Packaging: Early Experiences and Revolutionary Ideas
Early in his career, Matthew encountered disorganization prevalent in the packaging domain. Packaging involves numerous, frequently changing SKUs, leading to inherent confusion and inefficiencies. His breakthrough idea was to create a physical spec book for customers—a binder filled with paper specs—met with skepticism initially but proved revolutionary. It was a user-friendly way to provide customers with the information and access they needed, streamlining processes and reducing chaos.
The Evolution of Packaging and Retailer Influence
Reflecting on the 1990s, Matthew noted the progression from simple product packaging to the complex, multi-layered systems required today, driven largely by retailer demands and consumer expectations. An ice scraper's packaging, for example, evolved from a basic box to intricate pallet packs designed for club stores.
Bringing Products and Packaging Together
The interconnected nature of product and packaging demands accurate, up-to-date data. This symbiotic relationship is crucial as it ensures that packaging effectively complements and protects the product. Companies, however, often struggle to manage this data, which is where Specright excels. Specright's Specification Data Management (SDM) platform makes capturing, managing, and sharing this data seamless, enhancing collaboration across the value chain.
Addressing Sustainability and Regulatory Compliance
Sustainability has transitioned from being a "nice-to-have" to a regulatory necessity. Governments now mandate companies to adhere to stricter sustainability standards, necessitating accurate data for compliance. Specright plays a pivotal role in this transition, facilitating regulatory reporting and helping companies achieve their packaging sustainability goals efficiently.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Specification Management
AI in the supply chain can be transformative, but its effectiveness hinges on having a comprehensive dataset. Specright’s platform, with its vast repository of product specifications, serves as a foundation for deploying AI-driven analytics. Features like SpecGPT enable users to generate actionable insights quickly, enhancing decision-making processes.
Facilitating an Ecosystem of Innovation
Specright's success is built on collaboration. Integrations with various technology and academia partnerships are key to addressing the challenges of digitization. By engaging with universities and incorporating spec management into academic curricula, Specright ensures a skilled workforce ready to tackle future industry needs.
Overcoming Resistance to Change
Embracing digital transformation in longstanding companies is challenging due to ingrained practices and organizational inertia. Specright champions drive these changes, fostering environments where innovative data management leads to significant operational improvements. Successful digital transformation results in reduced workload, better product quality, and enhanced personal well-being for industry professionals.
Announcing Our New Podcast: Beyond Packaging
We're excited to announce a new chapter with our podcast evolving into "Beyond Packaging." Matthew will join me as co-host, and we will explore the broader impacts of packaging on products and the intersection with technology and sustainability. Future episodes will feature historical insights and cutting-edge developments in the industry.
Join us as we continue this journey, learning and innovating together to shape the future of products and packaging. If you have insights to share, we’d love to hear from you. Stay tuned for more exciting discussions.
Thank you for being part of this evolving narrative. Let's continue to push the boundaries of what's possible together.
Listen to the full podcast episode here for more valuable insights, and connect with Matthew on LinkedIn.
To listen to more episodes of Beyond the Shelf, click here.
