The packaging industry is witnessing transformative advancements, driven by sustainability, minimalism, and technological innovation. Sustainability has emerged as a cornerstone, with a growing demand for biodegradable and compostable materials despite ongoing debates over degradation timelines. Adopting a circular economy model further emphasizes waste reduction and material repurposing. Technological integration is revolutionizing the field through innovations such as digital printing for personalized designs, temperature-controlled solutions for perishables, and durable e-Commerce specific packaging. These transformative trends are not just reshaping packaging, they are setting the stage for a smarter, more sustainable, and consumer-centric future.
Thomas Joseph Kizhakethalakal, Founder of Teejay Packaging LLC, has built a distinguished 32-year career, including 27 years in the UAE, specializing in the perfume, cosmetic, and food packaging sector. His leadership philosophy emphasizes agility, adaptability, and customer-centricity. He believes that listening to feedback, leveraging data, and fostering a culture of innovation among employees are essential to driving growth and innovation. At Teejay Packaging, known for its use of virgin and recycled paper materials, Thomas encourages his team to embrace fresh ideas and technological advancements, recognizing that today's challenges demand modern solutions. His forward-thinking approach ensures continued success in an evolving industry.
Thomas Joseph acknowledges the challenges of integrating sustainable practices into production processes. While sustainability is a core focus, certain components, such as specific non-biodegradable layers within packaging, remain challenging to replace. In the food industry, alternatives such as cornstarch or sugarcane-based plastics have been considered, but their cost-effectiveness for large-scale production remains a hurdle. Similarly, in luxury packaging, like perfumes, achieving eco-friendliness without compromising aesthetics is difficult. Balancing sustainability with premium quality and customer expectations remains a complex but essential focus for Teejay Packaging's innovation journey.
Fostering Strategic Collaboration
Thomas Joseph employs a relationship-driven approach to foster collaboration among suppliers, manufacturers, and clients, driving innovation in the packaging industry. By maintaining strong ties with manufacturers in China, Europe and India, his team can swiftly gather information and provide tailored solutions. When clients present unique needs or innovative ideas, Teejay Packaging collaborates closely with suppliers to assess feasibility, ensuring market demand aligns with deliverable innovations.
This proactive communication fosters a dynamic exchange of ideas and practical execution strategies, keeping the company at the forefront of industry trends.
Balancing operational excellence with sustainable packaging production requires a dual focus on mechanization and material selection. Automation ensures consistency and quality, streamlining processes for operational efficiency. Meanwhile, careful material selection remains essential, often necessitating client education on the trade-offs between various materials. Teejay Packaging refines production processes continuously and adopts emerging technologies to align sustainability with efficiency, delivering solutions that meet both environmental and client expectations. This holistic strategy ensures the company remains competitive and responsible in the evolving packaging landscape.
Expanding Market Reach
Thomas Joseph Kizhakethalakal employs proactive strategies to expand the company’s market presence in the UAE and beyond. While the UAE remains a well-established packaging hub, he actively pursues opportunities in emerging markets such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman, where the packaging ecosystem is still evolving. By participating in industry exhibitions, both packagingspecific and sector-related (e.g., perfume and food), he stays abreast of global trends and builds connections that open doors to new collaborations and business prospects.
Through a combination of innovation, collaboration, and a customer-centric approach, Thomas aims to solidify Teejay Packaging’s reputation as a leader in the regional and global packaging industry
In the next five years, Thomas Joseph envisions positioning Teejay Packaging among the top five companies in its niche. To achieve this, he plans to form strategic partnerships or joint ventures, leveraging the company’s strong industry relationships. Key priorities include investing in advanced technology and consistently delivering high-quality, customized products to meet diverse client needs. Recognizing the dynamic nature of the industry, he remains committed to revisiting and refining these strategies to adapt to changing market conditions. Through a combination of innovation, collaboration, and a customer-centric approach, he aims to solidify Teejay Packaging’s reputation as a leader in the regional and global packaging industry.
Significantly, Thomas Joseph Kizhakethalakal advises aspiring entrepreneurs in the packaging industry to combine hard work with strategic thinking. He emphasizes the importance of being hands-on, having a clear vision, and investing in continuous learning. Leveraging technology, analyzing data, and fostering innovation are crucial for success. Persistence and a commitment to excellence are non-negotiable. He also highlights the need to develop and refine standard operating procedures while staying ahead of market trends through ongoing knowledge updates and adaptability in an ever-evolving industry.
“My background in print and packaging technology from the Gujarat University has been a cornerstone of my success. My family’s unwavering support and my ongoing PhD studies in leadership at the Academy of Human Resource Development continually inspire me to innovate and lead with purpose. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities, fueling my excitement for Teejay Packaging’s growth and the future of the packaging industry. I’m also open to further collaborations and discussions on how we can push the boundaries of packaging technology together”, concludes Thomas Joseph Kizhakethalakal.
Thomas Joseph Kizhakethalakal, Founder, Teejay Packaging
Thomas Joseph Kizhakethalakal is the visionary Founder of Teejay Packaging, a leader in rigid packaging for the perfume, cosmetic, and food industries. With over 32 years of experience, including 27 in the UAE, Thomas holds a degree in print and packaging technology from the Gujarat University and is pursuing a PhD in leadership. Renowned for his innovative, relationship-driven approach, he has expanded Teejay Packaging's presence across the GCC and beyond. Passionate about sustainability, operational excellence, and collaboration, he combines cutting-edge technology with customer-centric solutions to push the boundaries of packaging innovation while inspiring future industry leaders.
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