From Secure to Grip: The Evolution of VersaCase™ and the Power of Collaborative Packaging Innovation

At Aagard, some of our most impactful innovations don’t begin with a blueprint—they start with a challenge from a customer. The VersaCase™ story is a perfect example. What began as a functional solution to help streamline packaging operations evolved into a patent-pending system that’s transforming how brands approach retail-ready packaging. And the journey from VersaCase™ Secure to VersaCase™ Grip shows exactly how innovation at Aagard happens: in real-time, with real customers, in response to real packaging needs.

Starting with VersaCase™ Secure: The One-Step Retail-Ready Solution

VersaCase™ Secure was our first foray into creating a truly integrated, high-throughput retail-ready case solution. Built to be loaded and formed in a single automated step, Secure was engineered to hold and protect product during shipping, then convert instantly into a display-ready tray—no knives, no mess, no wasted time. Its clean die-cut surface provided the ideal canvas for branding, while its structure ensured product stayed in place throughout distribution.

But we didn’t stop there.

Evolving with Purpose: The Development of VersaCase™ Grip

As our projects grew in scope, so did the demands of our customers. One of the most ambitious examples? Our recent partnership with Energizer, where we helped them overhaul every piece of their battery packaging line—from primary cartons and sleeves to cases and palletizing. Their goal? Eliminate 2.5 million pounds of plastic from their packaging while achieving a cohesive, branded, and ultra-efficient end result.

In the process of helping them reach that goal, we discovered a new challenge: how do you keep lightweight products perfectly staged and standing, all the way through the last item being removed in-store?

Enter VersaCase™ Grip.

This latest generation case builds on everything we learned from Secure but adds a patent-pending interior grip feature that physically holds the product upright inside the carton. It’s designed to withstand the realities of retail: no product shifting, tipping, or collapsing displays. From shelf to point-of-sale, Grip keeps the retail presentation polished, secure, and shoppable—down to the last item.

Innovation Through Iteration

VersaCase™ wasn’t born in a lab—it was developed on the floor, in the field, alongside our customers. As we worked with Energizer to reimagine their packaging systems, the need for Grip became clear. And because we have the ability to prototype, test, and refine packaging formats and automation systems simultaneously, we were able to deliver a fully integrated packaging solution that met their unique goals.

We’ve learned over the years that no two packaging challenges are exactly the same—and that’s exactly why Aagard’s process is different. Our engineering teams collaborate directly with customers, developing concepts in real time, and building one-of-a-kind systems that anticipate retail demands and exceed expectations.

What Comes Next?

VersaCase™ Grip is already proving its worth in high-volume applications, but it’s only the beginning. As retail demands evolve and sustainability goals become more aggressive, Aagard will continue to innovate alongside our customers—bringing new case designs, smarter automation, and tailored solutions that are as unique as the products they support.

Have questions about how VersaCase™ could fit into your packaging line? Contact us!