ATLANTA -- Georgia-Pacific Corporation and Long Life Solutions, based in the United Kingdom, have formed an alliance to supply advanced packaging solutions to fresh produce customers in the United States.

Through the alliance, Georgia-Pacific will serve as the exclusive sales, distribution and marketing agent in the Unites States, Mexico, Central America and Chile for Long Life Solution’s smart technology fresh produce bags which are designed to preserve freshness in fruit & vegetables including grapes, melons, apples, tree fruit, cherries and lettuce. The leading edge technology is designed to help growers better manage their produce inventories and retailers to improve shelf life and quality of produce on their store shelves while reducing shrinkage due to spoilage.

“Georgia-Pacific is always exploring new business opportunities that support our packaging business strategy and we are excited about partnering with Long Life Solutions,” said Mike Rehwinkel, senior vice president – packaging “In conjunction with Georgia-Pacific’s Greenshield product, these smart technology produce bags will help drive wax out of the supply chain.”

"Georgia-Pacific's commitment to provide customers with leading technology was significant in our decision to partner with them,” said Andrew Wright, chief executive officer – Long Life Solutions. “We have been looking at the fresh produce market place in the US for the last two years to find an opportunity to introduce our smart technology stateside. Georgia-Pacific is a clear leader in produce solutions, both in terms of market share and the company’s focus on innovation. By working together we can provide a superior new product to major produce customers in North American markets.”

Headquartered at Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of tissue, packaging, paper, building products and related chemicals. With 2003 annual sales of more than $20 billion, the company employs approximately 55,000 people at more than 300 locations in North America and Europe.

Long Life Solutions is a young, innovative company providing cutting edge technology for post harvest solutions in the global sourcing, storage and distribution of fresh produce. Long Life Solutions is committed to developing its technology and widening its product base and to acquiring new and complementary technology. Based in Scotland, it has a worldwide network of distributors & agents that are both technically skilled and highly motivated. Our aim is to drive smart technology through global localized marketing, thus making Long Life Solutions the world’s most proactive leader in post harvest packaging.

For more information visit http://www.gpinnovates.com/cases/longlife.html

Please use the link to view a brief video about GP TOPS and LLS at the 2004 Fresh Summit in Anaheim, California. http://www.eventstreams.com/gapac/016/