In this episode of Wrapping Things Up, guest host Robert Barkley sits down with Mike Reilly — VP of Engineering, Maintenance & Safety at MSI Express and former General Mills veteran — for a candid conversation on how co-packers and co-manufacturers actually work, what brands get wrong, and how to build partnerships that last.

In This Episode:

• Co-packing vs. co-manufacturing — and why the difference matters
• Why 30–40% of annual volume at a co-packer comes in on short notice
• How emerging brands can bridge the gap from commercial kitchen to retail shelf
• What co-packers wish their customers understood about contracts and pricing
• MSI Express's move into gummy manufacturing (including a former Ferrara/Jelly Belly facility)
• The "easy button" philosophy behind how MSI Express supports brands at every stage

In this episode of Wrapping Things Up, Meredith Denning and Alex Sielaff sit down with packaging design consultant Vicki Strull to explore the psychology behind great packaging. From first impressions on the shelf to the “moment of truth” when a product is opened at home, Vicki breaks down how design, touch, structure, and storytelling influence buying decisions.

You’ll learn:

• What really happens in a shopper’s mind in those first few seconds
• Why tactile, “premium” packaging can increase purchase likelihood
• The difference between the first and second moment of truth
• Emerging packaging trends for 2026, including human-centered design cues
• Small changes brands can make for a big impact on growth and loyalty

If you’re in marketing, brand strategy, or packaging operations, this conversation offers practical insights into how packaging drives customer acquisition, retention, and perceived value.

In this inspiring episode of Wrapping Things Up, host Alex Sielaff sits down with Jim Raynor, Senior Director at Convoy of Hope, to explore how packaging is playing a key role in feeding the world. Jim shares the powerful story behind Convoy’s global mission, from feeding over 640,000 children daily to responding to natural disasters, and how a new packaging facility in partnership with Viking Masek will help scale that impact.

What to expect:

• How Convoy of Hope serves millions through food, disaster relief, and empowerment programs
• The vision behind their new automated food packaging facility
• Why dignity and quality matter in packaging for humanitarian aid
• Lessons in scalability, automation, and mission-driven innovation

Whether you’re in packaging, nonprofit work, or just need a boost of purpose-driven inspiration, this episode is for you.