Flexi‑Hex Packaging FAQs
Flexi‑Hex is a paper‑based honeycomb packaging system distributed in New Zealand by Woodhill Distribution, designed to protect fragile products in courier networks while cutting plastic and improving unboxing. This FAQ page answers common questions from NZ wineries, distilleries, surf brands, beauty labels and e‑commerce businesses about how Flexi‑Hex sleeves and boxes work, who they suit, and how they support your sustainability goals.
About Woodhill Distribution & Flexi‑Hex
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Woodhill Distribution is a locally owned Auckland‑based importer and distributor specialising in Flexi‑Hex sustainable packaging for New Zealand wineries, distilleries, surf brands, beauty labels and e‑commerce businesses shipping fragile products.
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Flexi‑Hex is a patented honeycomb packaging sleeve made from 100% recycled paper, designed to protect fragile items during transit and replace traditional plastic packaging. Its unique structure provides robust protection while being recyclable, biodegradable and compostable, making it a practical choice for brands focused on sustainability.
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We’re based in Auckland, New Zealand and supply Flexi‑Hex packaging nationwide to trade customers including wineries, distilleries, surfboard shapers, retailers and online stores.
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You can contact us via the form on our Contact page, or by emailing lisa@woodhilldistribution.co.nz or calling +64 21 262 4789.
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Yes. We sell Flexi‑Hex directly to New Zealand businesses ranging from boutique wineries and distilleries through to online retailers and independent makers. If you’re not sure which sleeve or box you need, we can recommend a setup based on your products and courier channel.
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We offer a range of Flexi‑Hex sleeves, boxes and extras, including Air Sleeves for cosmetics and electronics, Pinch Top Boxes for bottles (single, double and triple), Surf Boxes for boardsports equipment, and Fold Top Boxes for bottles up to 350 mm tall, including pre‑boxed options.
All packaging is plastic‑free, recyclable and can be customised with your branding.
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Flexi‑Hex sleeves are highly versatile and can be used to protect bottles, electronics, cosmetics, ceramics, glassware, surfboards, skateboards and many other fragile items. Sleeves are available in various sizes so you can match protection to different products and industries.
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The honeycomb design allows the sleeve to expand up to 35 times its compact size, creating a snug, shock‑absorbing fit around products. This structure significantly reduces breakage rates and can eliminate the need for extra materials like bubble wrap or tape.
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Yes. While Flexi‑Hex sleeves provide excellent protection, an outer box is recommended for sending products through postal or courier systems. Woodhill Distribution supplies compatible boxes for bottles and boards, giving you a complete protective packaging solution.
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The answer depends on the exact product, carton and transport conditions. Foam can be the right choice for specialist or highly precise applications. Flexi-Hex sleeves are designed to provide protective cushioning around compatible fragile products and should be trialled as part of the complete packaging system before rollout.
Read more here
Products, formats and use cases
Wine & spirits packaging for NZ couriers
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Yes. Flexi‑Hex bottle sleeves and matching shipping boxes are designed to protect 750 ml and premium bottle formats in courier networks, helping reduce breakage and improve presentation for direct‑to‑consumer shipments, wine clubs and trade samples.
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For courier shipments, place each bottle into a Flexi‑Hex sleeve, then pack sleeved bottles into a compatible shipping box with the base and top securely closed.
This combination provides strong impact protection and is accepted by major NZ courier networks.
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Yes. Flexi‑Hex bottle packaging offers a recyclable, paper‑based alternative to plastic wraps and foam, giving robust cushioning for wine and spirits while fitting easily into household recycling systems.
Many NZ brands replace bubble wrap, air pillows and plastic sleeves with Flexi‑Hex to cut most or all plastic from their protective transit packaging.
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Yes, Flexi-Hex can suit many gin bottle formats when paired with the correct outer carton. Because craft gin bottles vary widely in height, width and shoulder shape, send Woodhill Distribution your bottle dimensions for a fit recommendation before ordering.
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Flexi-Hex can be used for whisky bottles, including premium DTC and gifting orders, when the sleeve and carton are selected for the bottle dimensions. For unusually shaped, heavy or pre-boxed bottles, confirm the packaging configuration first.
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Paper honeycomb bottle sleeves, moulded-pulp inserts, corrugated dividers and paper void fill are all fibre-based alternatives. For premium individual bottles, a honeycomb sleeve paired with a fitted bottle box provides both bottle protection and a more polished unboxing experience.
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Yes. Flexi-Hex Pinch Top Boxes are available in single-bottle formats and are designed to be used with a Flexi-Hex sleeve. Confirm compatibility for your specific bottle size and shape before ordering.
Surf, boardsports, beauty & e‑commerce
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Flexi‑Hex surfboard sleeves and Surf Boxes are designed to protect boardsports equipment, with packaging that arrives flat and opens quickly around the board. Packing a surfboard can take under six minutes with Flexi‑Hex, compared with 15–20 minutes using traditional bubble wrap and tape, helping reduce labour time and improve consistency.
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Yes. We offer mini and standard sleeves for beauty, homewares and specialty food, plus Air Sleeves for fragile e‑commerce items and electronics. These formats give compact, paper‑based protection that improves unboxing and helps brands cut plastic from their packaging.
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Many Flexi‑Hex formats can be customised with your logo or brand graphics on the outer box, giving a more cohesive and premium unboxing experience for your customers.
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Flexi‑Hex paper sleeves are a compact, plastic‑free option for electronics; the honeycomb paper expands around devices and accessories to absorb shocks, reduce damages and cut plastic from your packaging while remaining kerbside recyclable.
Sustainability, recycling and operations
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Flexi‑Hex products are made from recycled paper and are plastic‑free, kerbside recyclable, biodegradable and home compostable. They break down in weeks, helping reduce packaging waste and environmental impact for NZ brands.
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Key benefits include being made from 100% recycled paper, using a patented honeycomb structure for superior protection, expanding to fit different product shapes and sizes, and reducing storage and shipping costs due to compactness.
Flexi‑Hex also enhances the unboxing experience and is easily recyclable and compostable for customers.
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Flexi‑Hex sleeves arrive flat, open quickly around the product and are designed to speed up packing compared with wrapping each item in multiple layers of bubble wrap. This can reduce labour time per order and cut the amount of space packaging takes up in storage and freight.
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By replacing bubble wrap, air pillows and plastic sleeves with Flexi‑Hex paper honeycomb sleeves and boxes, NZ brands typically cut most or all plastic from their protective transit packaging for bottles, boards and many e‑commerce products.
You can also download our Eco Business Tips guide for practical ideas on reducing packaging waste and cost.
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Not necessarily. The full pack matters. A cardboard carton may still include plastic bubble wrap, air pillows, tape or foam inserts. Review every component that leaves your warehouse, then use supplier specifications to make accurate claims. Flexi-Hex offers a paper-based, plastic-free protective option for relevant applications.
Getting started
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We offer the full Flexi‑Hex range for NZ, including bottle sleeves and shipping boxes for wine and spirits, surfboard sleeves and boxes, Air Sleeves for e‑commerce and electronics, and mini and standard sleeves for beauty, homewares and specialty food.
If you’re unsure which solution fits your products and courier routes, we can walk through your range and recommend a setup.