The food and product packaging industry is bigger and more complex than you might expect.
There are many ways that companies can have their products packages for distribution to customers, and one increasingly common approach is co-packing. But, what is a co-packer and why would you choose it for your product? Let’s take a closer look.
Sometimes known as a contract packager, co-packers are essentially outsourced packaging specialists that package foods and other products for their customers. Foods, pharmaceutical drugs, household and industrial items, and many other types of products may be manufactured by one company and package by another – the co-packer. There are many reasons to outsource the packaging of your product.
First, it’s important to understand that product packaging can be a very complex product that requires specialized equipment and skills in order to ensure effective and efficient packaging. There are many ways that products can be packaged, and a co-packer will be well-equipped to help their customers choose the right packaging and labelling for their products. Further, co-packers often save manufacturers money because the capital costs associated with self-packaging can be significant. From machinery and personnel costs, packaging can be very costly. However, by using a co-packer, you are essentially sharing these costs with other manufacturers.
Another reason you may choose to work with a co-packer is to focus your company’s efforts on the product you are selling. Outsourcing to a co-packer allows you to develop your product and focus on your company’s strengths. As mentioned, packaging requires specific expertise that takes time to develop. Managing your own packaging can actually distract you from all the responsibilities that help you market your product successfully. In fact, even minor disruptions in production or distribution can cause major headaches – imagine a surge in sales that requires additional packaging and storage capacity. Can your business adapt to shifts in demand? Generally speaking, a co-packer can easily increase packaging output and product storage to meet your demands because they provide services to many companies – it’s already in their business model to adapt to serve their clients’ needs.
Co-packers are well-poised to provide a variety of packaging services that can meet your needs today and into the future. Many have experience with a wide range of industries from beauty and cosmetics to medical, nutrition, and food and beverages. They often provide assistance with branding and labelling so that you can focus on developing and growing your own business and clientele.
In a nutshell, a co-packer is an industry specialist in packaging, storing, and even distributing a wide range of products on the open market. It is a growing industry dedicated to providing high quality packaging and labelling services no matter your product.
