CLEARTEC PRODUCT CATALOG ANALYSIS

Overview

The Cleartec product catalog contains 21 product series with 328 unique SKU variants spanning clear plastic tubes, sealed bottom containers, and closure systems (caps and plugs). The catalog structure reveals both mature product organization (consistent PETG material, clear dimensional specifications) and significant IA opportunities (overlapping categories, limited hierarchical taxonomy, missing product relationships).

Critical Findings

✅ Strengths

• Clear product segmentation — Two primary categories (Plastic Tubes, Closures) with logical subdivisions
• Comprehensive variant coverage — Average 15.6 variants per series
• Consistent material taxonomy — PETG dominates (38% specified), with clear polypropylene closures
• Structured dimensional data — 65.5% of variants have wall thickness specs, 60.1% have length data
• Strong packaging data — 94.8% have box quantities, 86% have mini-pack quantities

⚠️ Challenges

• No hierarchical product taxonomy — Products organized as flat list, not nested categories
• Overlapping product names — 220 variants contain “Tube”, 90 contain “Cap”, 64 contain “Plug” → potential confusion
• Missing material data — 62% of products lack explicit material specification
• Inconsistent dimensional coverage — Only 24.1% have inside/outside diameter data
• Limited description quality — Many descriptions are functional but lack benefit statements
• No cross-reference system — Related products (tubes + matching closures) not surfaced in navigation

Strategic Implications

For Consolidation Decision:

✅ Product taxonomy is brand-agnostic — tube/closure organization works across packaging brands
✅ Attribute structure is consistent — dimensions, materials, packaging quantities universal
✅ Cross-selling opportunities exist — “Customers who buy tubes need closures” relationships are clear
⚠️ Data cleanup required first — material specs and dimensional data must be completed before consolidation

For UX Design:

✅ Multiple entry points needed — by shape (round/square/rectangular), wall thickness, sealed vs. open
✅ Guided finders are essential — 328 SKUs impossible to browse linearly
✅ Smart search critical — users search by size, shape, application (mailing, retail, industrial)
✅ Filterable tables must be interactive — users expect sorting by diameter, length, wall thickness
✅ Closure matching critical — system must recommend compatible caps/plugs for each tube size

Catalog Overview

IA Opportunities

Problem: Current Site = Product-Code Navigation

User Journey Today:

1. User arrives at homepage
2. Clicks “Products” dropdown
3. Sees alphabetical list of product codes (UTW, TW, HW, PST, SBT…)
4. Must already know what they need or guess from codes
5. Clicks series → lands on size table with 1-49 variants
6. Must manually scan table to find size

Friction Points:

• No discovery for new users (“What tube do I need for my product?”)
• Codes are opaque (What is UTW? SBRCT? PCSP?)
• No filtering once on product page
• No cross-references to compatible closures (tube pages don’t suggest matching caps/plugs)
• Shape-based navigation missing (users think “round” or “square”, not “PST” or “PRCT”)

Opportunity: Multi-Path Navigation

Enable three buyer archetypes (from competitive analysis + industry standards):

1. The Veteran (30%) — “I know my SKU”

Need: Fast reorder, no browsing

Solution:

• Prominent search bar with autocomplete
• Quick Order bulk entry (paste 10 SKUs → instant cart)
• “My Account” with order history & reorder buttons

2. The Problem Solver (50%) — “I need tubes for [application]”

Need: Guided discovery by use case

Solution:

• Homepage quiz: “What are you packaging?” → Retail Display / Mailing / Donations / Industrial
• Shape selector: Round / Square / Rectangular → filtered catalog
• Application pages:
  • “Mailing Tubes” → MT series + compatible vinyl caps
  • “Retail Packaging” → SBT sealed bottom tubes + hanger caps/plugs
  • “Fundraising Containers” → SBT + coin-slot plugs (PCSP)
• Filterable product grids with visual icons (shape, wall thickness, sealed/open)

3. The Researcher (20%) — “I need to learn before I buy”

Need: Educational content + specs

Solution:

• “Learning Center” with:
  • Wall thickness comparison guide (Ultra-Thin vs. Thin vs. Heavy)
  • Material properties (PETG clarity, impact resistance, temperature range)
  • Closure compatibility chart (which caps/plugs fit which tubes)
• Downloadable spec sheets prominent on PDPs
• Comparison tool (compare 3 products side-by-side)
• Sample kit CTAs (“Try 3 sizes for $XX”)

Opportunity: Smart Filtering & Sorting

Size Chart Tables Must:

✅ Sort by any column (Part #, ID, OD, Wall Thickness, Length)
✅ Filter by shape (Round, Square, Rectangular)
✅ Filter by wall thickness (Ultra-Thin 0.012”, Thin 0.020”, Heavy 0.040 0.063”)
✅ Filter by configuration (Open Tube, Sealed Bottom, Hanging Tube)
✅ Search within table (live filter as user types)
✅ Highlight selected row (user knows what they clicked)
✅ Sticky headers (column labels visible when scrolling)
✅ Toggle Imperial/Metric (instant conversion)
✅ “Add to Cart” inline (no navigation away)

Evidence from MOCAP CrazyEgg Data (analogous products):

• 48-54% of clicks on size tables
• 11.6% dead clicks on column headers (users expect sorting)
• 4.3% rage clicks (repeated clicks on broken controls)

Opportunity: Cross-Sell & Upsell

Current State:

• Tube product pages don’t reference compatible closures
• Closure pages don’t show compatible tube sizes
• No “Frequently Bought Together” widgets
• Less than 10% visibility for related products (users never scroll that far)

Recommendation:

✅ “Complete Your Package” widget above fold on tube pages
✅ Automatic closure suggestions:

• Customer viewing: SBT-1.0 (1” Sealed Bottom Tube)
  • PRP-1.0 (1” Round Poly Plug) — “Seal the open end”
  • RVC-1.0 (1” Round Vinyl Cap) — “Premium finish”
  • PHP-1.0 (1” Hanger Plug) — “Add pegboard display”

✅ Application bundles:

• “Retail Display Kit” = SBT + Hanger Caps + Labels
• “Mailing Tube Kit” = MT + Vinyl Caps (2) + Bubble Wrap
• “Fundraising Kit” = SBT + Coin-Slot Plugs + Signage Templates

✅ Sample Kit CTAs:

• “Try 3 Tube Sizes” (UTW, TW, HW in same diameter) — $15
• “Closure Comparison Kit” (Poly Plug, Vinyl Cap, Clear Cap) — $10

1. Series Code Patterns

Products use codes that suggest function or construction:

Pattern Insight: Codes are functional abbreviations (SBT = Sealed Bottom Tubes, RVC = Round Vinyl Caps) rather than arbitrary SKUs. This aids internal communication but requires translation for customers who think in applications (“mailing tubes”) not codes (“MT”).

Naming Consistency:

• 100% contain uppercase letters → Consistent format
• 0% contain lowercase → No mixed-case SKUs
• Dot notation: PRT.012-.714 → Wall thickness (0.012”) + Inside diameter (0.714”)
• No hyphens in series codes → Only in variant SKUs (e.g., SBT-1.0-6)

2. Product Taxonomy Analysis

Current Organization: Flat List

Products are currently organized as a two-category flat list with no hierarchical subcategories. Users must:

• Know the product code (TW, SBT, RVC)
• Browse the full catalog sequentially
• Use site search

Problem: Impossible to discover products by application, industry, or use case.

Natural Product Groupings (by function analysis)

Analyzing product names and descriptions reveals clear functional categories:

Key Insight: Products are construction-first (wall thickness, sealed/open) rather than use-case-first (mailing, retail, industrial). This creates findability problems for customers who think in applications (“I need tubes for retail packaging”) not construction (“I need thin-wall sealed-bottom round tubes”).

Recommended IA Hierarchy

PRIMARY NAVIGATION (By Product Type)

📦 Tubes
   └─ Round Tubes
      ├─ Open-End Tubes
      │  ├─ Ultra-Thin Wall (UTW) — Cost-effective, calendars, apparel
      │  ├─ Thin Wall (TW) — General purpose, posters, confectionery
      │  └─ Heavy Wall (HW) — Durable, welding rods, bearings, tools
      ├─ Sealed Bottom Tubes
      │  ├─ Standard Sealed (SBT) — One-end sealed, gift packaging
      │  └─ Candy Cane Sealed (SBTC) — Printed stripe, seasonal
      ├─ Specialty Round Tubes
      │  ├─ Mailing Tubes (MT) — Heavy wall, USPS approved
      │  └─ Hanging Tubes (HT) — Built-in hanger, pegboard display
   └─ Square & Rectangular Tubes
      ├─ Open-End Shaped Tubes
      │  ├─ Square Tubes (PST) — Anti-roll, distinctive
      │  └─ Rectangular Tubes (PRCT) — Custom fit, shelf packaging
      ├─ Sealed Bottom Shaped Tubes
      │  ├─ Sealed Square (SBST) — One-end sealed, easy stacking
      │  └─ Sealed Rectangular (SBRCT) — Custom shapes, retail

🔒 Closures
   └─ Round Closures
      ├─ Caps (Outside Fit)
      │  ├─ Vinyl Caps (RVC) — Flexible, tight fit, durable
      │  ├─ Clear Caps (PCC) — Transparent, product visibility
      │  └─ Vinyl Hanger Caps (VHC) — Pegboard display
      ├─ Plugs (Inside Fit)
      │  ├─ Poly Plugs (PRP) — Easy insert/remove, lightweight
      │  ├─ Hanger Plugs (PHP) — Pegboard display, cost-effective
      │  └─ Coin-Slot Plugs (PCSP) — Donation canisters, fundraising
   └─ Square & Rectangular Closures
      ├─ Square Plugs (PSQP) — Fits square tubes/containers
      ├─ Rectangular Plugs (PRCP) — Fits rectangular tubes
      └─ Flip-Top Plugs (PRCF) — Dispensing, easy access

🎨 Specialty Products
   └─ Tube Toppers (TT) — Decorative finishes, seasonal

Secondary Navigation (By Use Case)

BROWSE BY APPLICATION

📮 Mailing & Shipping
   → Mailing Tubes (MT) + Vinyl Caps (RVC)
   → Heavy Wall Round (HW) + Poly Plugs (PRP)

🛍️ Retail & Point-of-Purchase
   → Sealed Bottom Tubes (SBT) + Hanger Caps/Plugs (VHC, PHP)
   → Hanging Tubes (HT) + Poly Plugs (PRP)
   → Square Sealed (SBST) + Square Plugs (PSQP)

💰 Fundraising & Donations
   → Sealed Bottom Tubes (SBT) + Coin-Slot Plugs (PCSP)

🎁 Gift Packaging
   → Sealed Bottom Tubes (SBT, SBST, SBRCT) + Clear Caps (PCC) or Vinyl Caps (RVC)
   → Candy Cane Tubes (SBTC) + Tube Toppers (TT)

🏭 Industrial & Protective Packaging
   → Heavy Wall Round (HW) + Poly Plugs (PRP)
   → Thin Wall Round (TW) + Clear Caps (PCC)

📱 Consumer Electronics & Small Goods
   → Rectangular Tubes (PRCT, SBRCT) + Rectangular Plugs (PRCP)
   → Square Tubes (PST, SBST) + Square Plugs (PSQP)

🎨 Arts, Crafts & Hobbies
   → Ultra-Thin Wall (UTW) + Poly Plugs (PRP)
   → Thin Wall (TW) + Clear Caps (PCC)

3. Material & Attribute Analysis

Primary Materials

Key Insight: Material is functional (PETG clarity for product visibility, vinyl flexibility for secure fit, polypropylene ease-of-use for closures) rather than aesthetic. This contrasts with MOCAP where material choice (LDPE, Silicone, EPDM) is driven by temperature and chemical resistance.

Stocked Colors by Product Type

Tubes:

• Clear/Transparent (100% of tube products) — PETG natural clarity
• Candy Cane Stripe (1 specialty variant) — Printed decoration

Closures:

• Black (standard for all closure types)
• Red (standard for all closure types)
• Natural (standard for all polypropylene plugs)
• Custom colors available upon request

Color Functionality:

• Clear tubes → product visibility (retail, gifts)
• Black/Red closures → high visibility for removal, professional finish
• Natural closures → cost-effective, matches clear tubes

Most Common Attributes (Spec Fields)

Based on variant data across 328 SKUs:

Data Quality Gaps:

⚠️ Low ID/OD coverage (24.1%) — Dimensional data only populated for ~1/4 of variants
⚠️ No width data (0%) — Rectangular/square tube widths missing from structured fields
⚠️ No material field in variants — Material inherited from product level, not variant-specific

Recommendation: Complete dimensional audit before website consolidation. Users need filterable diameter and width fields.

Attribute Complexity Distribution

Products vary widely in configurability:

Simple (5-6 attributes): Specialty items → Select size/color only

• Tube Toppers (TT) — 17 variants
• Candy Cane Tubes (SBTC) — 1 variant

Moderate (7-9 attributes): Standard closures → Select shape, size, color

• Round Vinyl Caps (RVC) — 27 variants
• Round Poly Plugs (PRP) — 28 variants
• Clear Caps (PCC) — 28 variants

Complex (10-12 attributes): Tube families → Select shape, wall thickness, length, diameter

• Sealed Bottom Tubes (SBT) — 49 variants
• Thin Wall Tubes (TW) — 28 variants
• Heavy Wall Tubes (HW) — 28 variants

UX Implication: Guided finders must adapt complexity based on product type. Closures need simple size/color selectors; tubes need multi-step configurators (shape → wall thickness → diameter → length).

Dimensional Ranges

Wall Thickness Categories:

• Ultra-Thin: 0.012” (UTW series) — Cost-effective, lightweight applications
• Thin: 0.020” (TW series) — General purpose, moderate durability
• Heavy: 0.040”-0.063” (HW series) — Maximum protection, reusable containers

Naming Consistency

Part Number Patterns (from 328 variants):

• 100% contain alphanumeric characters → Consistent format
• Dot notation common: PRT.012-.714 → Wall.ID or Wall-OD format
• Hyphen separators: SBT-1.0-6 → Series-Diameter-Length format
• Fractional descriptions: “5/8” ROUND” or “1” SQUARE” → User-friendly nominal sizes

Issue: Multiple naming conventions coexist:

• Dimensional: PRT.012-.714 (wall 0.012”, ID 0.714”)
• Descriptive: SBT-1.0-6 (Sealed Bottom Tube, 1.0” diameter, 6” length)
• Hybrid: “5/8” ROUND ULTRA THIN WALL X ? TUBE” (description field)

Impact: Search must handle multiple formats (exact match, partial match, dimension lookup, fractional/decimal equivalents).

Description Quality

Current State:

• Average length: 40-80 characters (1-2 sentences)
• Structure: 0/328 use bullet points or formatted lists
• Benefits: Functional descriptions, limited benefit statements
• Consistency: Format varies by product family

Examples of Good Descriptions:

"5/8\" ROUND ULTRA THIN WALL X ? TUBE PETG-000"
→ Clear: Shape, wall type, material code

"1\" ROUND SEALED BOTTOM TUBE X 6\" LONG PETG-000"
→ Complete: Diameter, configuration, length, material

Examples of Poor Descriptions:

"ROUND POLY PLUG 1 1/2\"-RED"
→ Minimal: No construction details, no application guidance

"PLASTIC TUBE TOPPER-CHRISTMAS-SNOWMAN"
→ Vague: No dimensions, seasonal specificity unclear

Recommendation: Standardize description format:

1. What it is (product type + configuration)
2. Key specs (size, wall thickness, length)
3. Material (PETG, vinyl, polypropylene)
4. Application hint (retail, mailing, industrial)

Example Improved Description:

Before: "1\" ROUND SEALED BOTTOM TUBE X 6\" LONG PETG-000"

After: "1\" Sealed Bottom Tube, 6\" Length — Clear PETG construction 
for retail gift packaging. Injection-molded bottom, compatible with 
RVC-1.0 caps or PRP-1.0 plugs. BPA-free."

4. Filter & Search Strategy

Recommended Search Logic

1. Part Number Search (Exact Match Priority)

User types: "SBT-1.0-6"

Results:

1. SBT-1.0-6 [EXACT MATCH] → Direct to PDP
2. SBT-1.0-4, SBT-1.0-8 [SIMILAR LENGTHS] → “Did you mean…?”
3. PRP-1.0 [COMPATIBLE CLOSURE] → “Complete your package…“

2. Dimension Search

User types: "1 inch tube"

Results:

1. Products with 1” ID/OD
2. Filtered by “tube” keyword (not closures)
3. Sorted by relevance (Sealed Bottom, then Thin Wall, then Heavy Wall)
4. Suggested closures below (RVC-1.0, PRP-1.0, PCC-1.0)

3. Application Search

User types: "mailing tubes"

Results:

1. Mailing Tubes (MT series) — Featured result
2. Application landing page: “Mailing & Shipping Solutions”
3. Compatible products: Heavy Wall Tubes (HW) + Vinyl Caps (RVC)
4. Educational content: “How to Choose the Right Mailing Tube”

4. Shape Search

User types: "square tubes"

Results:

1. Square Tubes (PST) — Open-end
2. Sealed Bottom Square (SBST) — Sealed one end
3. Compatible closures: Square Plugs (PSQP)
4. Grouped: Open-End / Sealed Bottom / Closures

5. Configuration Search

User types: "sealed bottom"

Results:

1. All sealed bottom variants (SBT, SBST, SBRCT)
2. Grouped by shape: Round / Square / Rectangular
3. Sorted by diameter (smallest to largest)

Recommended Filters (By Priority)

Priority 1 (Must Have):

✅ Shape (Round, Square, Rectangular)
✅ Product Type (Tubes, Caps, Plugs)
✅ Configuration (Open-End, Sealed Bottom, Hanging)
✅ Wall Thickness (Ultra-Thin 0.012”, Thin 0.020”, Heavy 0.040”+)
✅ Size Range (Under 1”, 1”-2”, 2”-3”, 3”-4”, 4”+)

Priority 2 (High-Value):

✅ Color (Black, Red, Natural, Clear)
✅ Application (Mailing, Retail, Fundraising, Gift, Industrial)
✅ Closure Type (Caps - Outside Fit, Plugs - Inside Fit)
✅ Material (PETG, Vinyl, Polypropylene, Clear Poly)
✅ Closure Feature (Standard, Hanger, Coin-Slot, Flip-Top)

Priority 3 (Nice-to-Have):

✅ Length (2”-6”, 6”-12”, 12”-24”, 24”+)
✅ Certification (RoHS, BPA-Free, USPS Approved)
✅ Min Order Qty (25-100, 100-250, 250+)
✅ Packaging (Box, Mini-Pack, Micro-Pack)

Search Synonym Mapping

Map common customer terms to product attributes:

5. Variant Configurator Strategy

Simple vs. Complex Configurators

Simple Products (5-6 attributes) → Dropdown Selector

Example: Tube Toppers (TT)

Steps:

1. Select Style (Christmas Snowman, Halloween Pumpkin, etc.)
2. Select Tube Size (fits 1.0”, 1.5”, 2.0”)
3. → Add to Cart

Moderate Products (7-9 attributes) → Guided Wizard

Example: Round Vinyl Caps (RVC)

Steps:

1. “What tube are you sealing?” → Tube Size (5/8”, 3/4”, 1”, 1.5”, 2”, etc.)
2. “What color?” → Black / Red / Custom
3. → View Matches (show 1-3 best fits)
4. → Add to Cart

Complex Products (10-12 attributes) → Interactive Table

Example: Sealed Bottom Tubes (SBT)

Steps:

1. Show full size table (49 variants)
2. Enable column sorting (Diameter, Length, Box Qty)
3. Add filters above table:
   • Diameter range (slider: 5/8” to 4”)
   • Length options (dropdown: 2”, 4”, 6”, 8”, 12”, 18”, 24”, 36”, 48”)
   • Configuration (Sealed Bottom only vs. All tubes)
4. Live search within table
5. Inline “Add to Cart” buttons per row
6. “Compare Selected” (checkbox up to 3 products)

Configurator Best Practices (from Competitive Analysis)

Visual feedback:

✅ Show product image update as user selects options (wall thickness, diameter)
✅ Display running total: “3 options selected, 12 matches”
✅ Highlight selected state (checkmark, color change)
✅ Progress bar: “Step 2 of 4”

Smart defaults:

✅ Pre-select most common options (e.g., “Black” color if 70% of orders are black)
✅ Remember user’s previous selections (cookies or account)
✅ “Popular Sizes” shortcut (e.g., “1” x 6” Sealed Tube” most common)

Escape paths:

✅ “Not sure? View all options” → link to full table
✅ “Can’t find what you need? Request custom quote”
✅ “Need help? Call us” → phone number visible
✅ “See compatible closures” → link to RVC/PRP/PCC in same diameter

6. What This Product Catalog Analysis Reveals

✅ Strong Evidence for Website Consolidation

Taxonomy is Universal

• Same product categories (Tubes, Closures) apply across packaging brands
• Shape attributes (Round, Square, Rectangular) are consistent
• Dimensional specs (ID, OD, Length, Wall Thickness) use same units and logic
• No brand-specific organization → consolidation won’t require separate IA

Cross-Selling Opportunities Exist

• Customers needing Cleartec tubes likely need MOCAP closures (protective caps/plugs for open ends)
• Customers buying MOCAP industrial products might need Cleartec tubes (packaging finished parts)
• Customers using Beckett containers could need Cleartec tubes (secondary packaging)
• Unified catalog enables: “Complete Your Solution” bundles (tube + matching closure + label)

Search & Filter Logic is Identical

• All products share dimensional search needs (ID, OD, Length, Wall Thickness)
• All products benefit from shape filtering (Round, Square, Rectangular)
• Material/application filtering works across brands (PETG, Vinyl, Poly → Mailing, Retail, Industrial)
• One configurator system serves all brands

Data Structure is Consistent

• All products use size chart tables with Part #, dimensions, packaging quantities
• All products have description, material (or should), stocked colors/configurations
• Same backend schema → easier to merge databases

⚠️ Challenges for Website Consolidation

Product Overlap Risk

• Cleartec Round Vinyl Caps (RVC) vs. MOCAP Round Vinyl Caps (RVC) → identical code, different functions
  • Cleartec RVC: Closure for clear tubes (outside fit)
  • MOCAP RVC: Protective cap for threads (stretch fit)
• Mitigation: Brand prefixes in SKUs (CLR-RVC-1.0, MOC-RVC-250)

Functional Naming Collisions

• Cleartec “caps” = tube closures (aesthetic + containment)
• MOCAP “caps” = thread protectors (industrial masking)
• Different functions, same word → UX confusion
• Mitigation: Category context (Packaging > Tube Closures vs. Industrial > Thread Protection)

Data Quality Must Be Fixed First

• 13 products (62%) missing material specification → PETG implied but not stated
• 76% of variants missing ID/OD data → Dimensional filtering incomplete
• Descriptions vary in quality (40-80 characters, no benefit statements)
• Requirement: Complete data audit before merging catalogs

Complexity Compounds

• MOCAP: 2,195 variants
• Cleartec: 328 variants
• Beckett: ~300-500 variants (estimated)
• Combined: ~2,800-3,000 SKUs → advanced filtering critical

Brand Equity in Product Names

• “Cleartec” is in website URL and brand positioning (clarity, transparency)
• Mitigation: Brand landing pages (mocap.com/cleartec-tubes)

7. Recommended Consolidation Approach

OPTION A: Unified Catalog with Brand Filters

mocap.com
├─ /products
│  ├─ /tubes (Cleartec + any MOCAP tube products)
│  ├─ /caps (MOCAP + Cleartec caps/closures)
│  ├─ /plugs (MOCAP + Cleartec plugs)
│  ├─ /containers (Beckett)
│  └─ /tapes (MOCAP X-Treme + High-temp tapes)
└─ /brands
   ├─ /mocap (Brand landing page → filters to MOCAP products)
   ├─ /cleartec (Brand landing page → filters to Cleartec products)
   └─ /beckett (Brand landing page → filters to Beckett products)

Pros:

• True unified navigation (discover products across brands)
• Cross-sell works natively (“Customers also bought…” spans brands)
• Single search index (search once, get all results)
• Reduces site maintenance (one IA, one filter system)

Cons:

• Brand dilution risk (Cleartec customers don’t see “Cleartec” branding prominently)
• Complexity in filtering (must add “Brand” as filter dimension)
• Product naming collisions (must prefix SKUs with brand: CLR-RVC-1.0, MOC-RVC-250)

OPTION B: Brand Sub-sites with Shared Components

mocap.com
├─ /mocap (MOCAP-only catalog)
├─ /cleartec (Cleartec-only catalog)
├─ /beckett (Beckett-only catalog)
└─ /search (Unified search across all)

Pros:

• Preserves brand identity (mocap.com/cleartec feels like dedicated site)
• Reduces naming collisions (each brand’s SKUs independent)
• Easier migration (move brands incrementally)
• Allows brand-specific messaging (Cleartec = clarity, MOCAP = protection)

Cons:

• Partial unification (still separate catalogs internally)
• Cross-sell harder (must link across subsites)
• Duplicate filters (each brand has own filter setup)
• Doesn’t solve attribution problem (cross-domain tracking still needed)

RECOMMENDATION: Option A (Unified Catalog)

Rationale:

✅ Product taxonomy is identical — tubes/closures logic works universally
✅ Attribute structure is consistent — dimensions, materials, packaging quantities universal
✅ Cross-sell revenue potential: ~$50K-100K annually (estimated 15-30% of Cleartec customers also buy MOCAP products)
✅ Cleartec is explicitly positioned as “Division of MOCAP” → unified catalog reinforces brand relationship
✅ Competitor benchmarks (Caplugs, Essentra) use unified catalogs successfully

Implementation Requirements:

✅ Add “Brand” as filterable attribute (MOCAP, Cleartec, Beckett)
✅ Prefix SKUs with brand code where collisions exist (CLR-RVC-1.0, MOC-RVC-250)
✅ Create brand landing pages (mocap.com/brands/cleartec)
✅ Preserve brand URLs (301 redirects from cleartecpackaging.com → mocap.com/cleartec)
✅ Audit & complete all product data before merging (material specs, dimensions, descriptions)

8. Product Detail: Variants Per Series

9. Closure Compatibility Matrix

Critical for cross-selling and guided configurators:

UX Recommendation: When user views any tube product page, automatically suggest 3 compatible closures in order of popularity:

Example (SBT-1.0-6 page):

Complete Your Package:

1. PRP-1.0 (Round Poly Plug) — $0.XX each — “Easy insert/remove”
2. RVC-1.0 (Round Vinyl Cap) — $0.XX each — “Premium finish”
3. PHP-1.0 (Hanger Plug) — $0.XX each — “Add pegboard display”

10. Application-Based Product Groupings

Based on typical_applications field analysis across all products:

Mailing & Shipping

• MT (Clear Plastic Mailing Tubes) — USPS approved, water-resistant
• HW (Heavy Wall Tubes) — Durable, reusable
• RVC (Round Vinyl Caps) — Secure closure, no additional fastening

Target Users: Direct mail campaigns, promotional materials, document/poster shipping

Retail & Point-of-Purchase

• SBT (Sealed Bottom Round Tubes) — One-end sealed, instant packaging
• SBST (Sealed Bottom Square Tubes) — Anti-roll, easy stacking
• HT (Hanging Tubes) — Built-in hanger for pegboard
• VHC (Vinyl Hanger Caps) — Retail display closures
• PHP (Polypropylene Hanger Plugs) — Cost-effective pegboard display

Target Users: Consumer product brands, gift packaging, point-of-sale displays

Fundraising & Donations

• SBT (Sealed Bottom Tubes) — One-end sealed, ideal for canisters
• PCSP (Coin-Slot Plugs) — 1/4” x 1-1/4” slot design

Target Users: Non-profits, schools, charities

Gift Packaging

• SBT, SBST, SBRCT (Sealed Bottom variants) — Ready-to-use containers
• SBTC (Candy Cane Tubes) — Seasonal, decorative
• TT (Tube Toppers) — Decorative finishes (Christmas, Halloween)
• PCC (Clear Caps) — Transparent, product visibility

Target Users: Gift manufacturers, seasonal packaging, corporate gifts

Industrial & Protective Packaging

• HW (Heavy Wall Tubes) — Maximum protection for welding rods, bearings, cutting tools
• TW (Thin Wall Tubes) — Moderate protection for housewares, novelties
• PRP (Poly Plugs) — Secure closures, easy insert/remove

Target Users: Industrial suppliers, medical device manufacturers, automotive parts

Arts, Crafts & Hobbies

• UTW (Ultra-Thin Wall) — Cost-effective for calendars, wall graphics, apparel
• TW (Thin Wall) — General purpose for craft goods
• PRP (Poly Plugs) — Easy-to-use closures

Target Users: Craft suppliers, art stores, promotional item distributors

Consumer Electronics & Small Goods

• PRCT (Rectangular Tubes) — Custom fit for electronics, stationery
• SBRCT (Sealed Rectangular Containers) — One-end sealed, distinctive
• PRCP (Rectangular Plugs) — Matching closures

Target Users: Electronics manufacturers, stationery brands, cosmetics

11. Missing Data & Recommendations

Data Gaps Requiring Immediate Attention:

Recommendations for Data Standardization:

1. Material Field (Product Level):

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) — All tube products
Vinyl — RVC, VHC
Polypropylene — PRP, PCSP, PHP, PSQP, PRCP, PRCF
Clarified Polypropylene — PCC

2. Dimensional Fields (Variant Level):

For Round Products:
- inside_diameter_in (required)
- outside_diameter_in (required)
- wall_thickness_in (required)
- length_in (required for tubes)

For Square/Rectangular Products:
- width_in (required)
- height_in (required)
- wall_thickness_in (required)
- length_in (required for tubes)

3. Color Field (Variant Level):

Clear/Transparent — All PETG tubes
Black — All closures (default)
Red — All closures (standard option)
Natural — Polypropylene plugs (standard option)
Custom — Available upon request

4. Compatible Products Field (Product Level):

For Tubes:
- compatible_closures: ["RVC", "PRP", "PCC"]

For Closures:
- compatible_tubes: ["UTW", "TW", "HW", "SBT"]

12. Competitor Benchmark Insights

Based on industry standards for clear plastic tube packaging:

Key Takeaway: Cleartec needs application-based navigation + closure compatibility + custom quote CTA to compete effectively.

13. Conclusions Summary

✅ Strengths to Leverage:

✅ Clear two-category structure (Tubes, Closures) — easy to understand
✅ Consistent PETG material across tubes — strong SEO keyword
✅ Wide range of configurations (wall thickness, sealed/open, shapes) — serves diverse use cases
✅ Strong packaging data (box/mini/micro quantities) — enables volume discounts
✅ Brand positioning as “Division of MOCAP” — supports consolidation narrative

⚠️ Challenges to Address:

⚠️ No hierarchical taxonomy — users cannot browse by application or use case
⚠️ Missing dimensional data — 76% of variants lack ID/OD, preventing filterable search
⚠️ No closure compatibility system — users must manually find matching caps/plugs
⚠️ Limited SEO optimization — descriptions lack keywords, benefit statements, application terms
⚠️ No custom quote CTA — non-standard sizes require phone/email inquiry (friction)

🎯 Strategic Recommendations:

1. Complete data audit — Fill material, ID/OD, color fields before consolidation
2. Build closure compatibility matrix — Surface compatible caps/plugs on tube pages
3. Create application landing pages — Mailing, Retail, Fundraising, Gift, Industrial
4. Add custom quote CTA — “Need custom length or diameter? Get instant quote”
5. Implement guided finders — “Find Your Tube” wizard (shape → wall → diameter → length)
6. Unify catalog with MOCAP — Single search, unified filters, cross-brand recommendations
7. Rewrite product descriptions — Add benefit statements, application guidance, material properties