New Design Center to Improve Merchandising Collaboration between Walmart and Vendors

RockTenn has established a state-of-the-art collaboration center that offers a streamlined approach to designing displays for brand marketers working in concert with merchandising executives from Walmart and Sam’s Club.

The Bentonville center features the most up-to-date technology, including an interactive design capability pre-embedded with Walmart and supplier graphic assets, as well as a virtual store simulator into which concepts can be inserted for visualization in advance of production.

“We have committed to a best-in-class venue in response to Walmart having indicated a need to work with their CPG partners more quickly and efficiently,” said Craig A. Gunckel, Executive Vice President, RockTenn.

“The space is literally a retail solutions think tank,” said Nancy Collom, Sales Director, RockTenn, “where our customer and retailer executives can meet with RockTenn designers to create innovations on the fly, visualize displays in virtual reality and expedite the approval process. Early results have been phenomenal,” added Collom, “including the development of a new ‘Transformer’ pallet system, that enables creation of shopper solution centers around the store, incorporating brands from multiple suppliers.”

Electronic Arts Senior Consumer Engagement Manager, Jenifer Hunter said: “RockTenn helps us understand Walmart merchandising requirements and has been a strategic partner enabling us to package programs that get approved and in store quickly and cost effectively. Because they are right down the street and work with Walmart Visual Merchandisers and buyers every day, they are able to assure that we work at the speed of Walmart.”

The impetus behind the launch of this center is in response to the growing demand for understanding and responding to the changing needs of shoppers – which takes creative and design collaboration of a higher order than ever. It is one of five that will service RockTenn customers across the country.

About RockTenn Merchandising Displays
RockTenn Merchandising Displays is committed to providing best-in-class solutions that achieve brand, shopper and retailer objectives at the lowest total cost. We deliver promotional and permanent merchandising programs and retail signage including design, manufacturing, fulfillment and distribution services to top consumer product companies and retailers. As the leading point-of-purchase display company in the U.S., we offer an unmatched level of capabilities across the full spectrum of in-store marketing. RockTenn continuously invests in the expansion of equipment and capabilities in order to improve both efficiency and quality of customers programs. Visit us at www.rocktenndisplays.com.

About RockTenn
RockTenn is one of North America's leading providers of packaging solutions and manufacturers of containerboard and paperboard. RockTenn's 26,000 employees are committed to exceeding their customers' expectations — every time. The company operates locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile and Argentina. For more information, visit www.rocktenn.com.