The new hybrid customer innovation hub will enable the company to connect in person with customers across the Iberian region, as well as remotely with international representatives

DS Smith

DS Smith has opened its hybrid customer innovation hub in Lisbon. (Credit: DS Smith)

Sustainable packaging company DS Smith has launched its first hybrid customer innovation hub in Lisbon, Portugal.

The new hybrid customer innovation hub has been designed to enable the company to connect in person with customers across the Iberian region, as well as remotely with international representatives.

It features the latest solutions to facilitate collaborative innovation and design sessions for customers in face-to-face, online and hybrid settings.

The new hybrid approach is expected to bring customers and packaging experts together to provide sustainable packaging solutions quickly.

The new centre features advanced art audio-visual technology, including PTZ (pan-zoom-tilt) cameras, to provide detailed e-commerce unboxing experiences and presentations.

It also includes a LED wall for online sessions and augmented reality capabilities.

DS Smith stated that its impact centres are physical spaces where customers examine what the right packaging can achieve across the full supply cycle.

The centres provide an online 360° ‘walk through’ for new customer opportunities. Its PackRight Centres, which serve as hubs of innovation and creativity, also deliver virtual capabilities.

The new customer innovation hub combines the virtual elements with a real-world experience, thereby allowing experts and customers to easily collaborate and minimise design lead times.

DS Smith Packaging sales, marketing and innovations director Marc Chiron said: “The move towards digitalisation that accelerated during the pandemic, has given rise to ‘fusion consumers’ who demand agility and excellence in both the physical and online shopping environments.

“This trend also applies to the business world, where companies must adapt to this new hybrid context to meet customers’ needs, matching their experience as consumers.”

DS Smith is also planning to open hybrid customer innovation hubs across all its regions by the end of 2023 to better serve customers.

In May this year, DS Smith announced an investment of £100m to expand its research and development (R&D) activities and boost circular economy strategy.