What Are the Main Categories of Packaging & How Does Outsourcing Help?
Outsourcing specific services can provide more opportunities for manufacturers and processors businesses to scale and enhance their supply chain. Outsourcing primary or secondary packaging is one way to reduce the burden on your operations. By employing co-packaging services, companies can free up their floor space, resources, and employees to create additional capacity for manufacturing or processing.
What are the other benefits of outsourcing packaging services? And what various freight packaging options are available to businesses?
What Are The Top Benefits of Co-Packaging?
Cost Efficiency
Outsourcing packaging operations can reduce costs associated with purchasing packaging materials, maintaining packaging equipment, and hiring specialized staff. In periods of high demand, businesses often need to hire additional staff to keep up with orders, while in quieter seasons, the packaging equipment is less utilized, providing a relatively low return on investment.
Companies that provide co-packaging services tailor their services to fit their equipment, have experienced staff for those applications, and they should have developed more efficient operational processes in order to give themselves the most line capacity to sell. Additionally, many operations have access to better pricing for packaging material if they are buying for multiple clients.
Scalability
Outsourcing packaging provides manufacturers and processors the flexibility to respond to shifts in demand. When businesses choose to outsource their packaging, they can free up their operations and real estate to focus on more capacity to expand the more strategic needs of their business.
Improved Supply Chain Management
When seeking outsourced packaging services, choose a company that offers integrated supply chain services, including warehousing and distribution. Choosing a Third-Party Logistics (3PL) provider that includes co-packaging services can streamline your supply chain through more efficient uses of capital and shorter cash cycles..
Versatility, Expertise, and Quality
Co-packaging providers have expertise in various packaging techniques and materials and will ensure that your products are packaged securely and professionally. If you choose a 3PL provider, they’ll also store your goods in appropriate environments. Choosing professional co-packaging services provides another compliance check with your QC standards and government regulations.
Professional co-packaging provides businesses with increased versatility in packaging design and materials. With access to creative and innovative packaging designs and equipment, companies can enhance product presentation and customer experience.
By outsourcing packaging, companies can focus on their core business activities, such as product development, marketing, and sales.
What Are The Main Categories of Packaging?
Packaging typically falls into three main categories: primary, secondary, and tertiary.
1. Primary Packaging
Primary packaging describes the immediate packaging that directly encases and protects the product. This can include bottles, cans, blister packs, fiber boxes, and shrink wrap. Most products on retailers’ shelves are encased in primary packaging.
Primary packaging design is crucial, as it is usually the primary branding vehicle for the product. Aside from marketing and protective purposes, this packaging also provides consumers with essential information, including ingredients, expiration dates, instructions for use, and nutritional guidelines.
2. Secondary Packaging
Secondary packaging groups primary packages together, facilitating the handling and transportation of the products in bulk. It provides additional protection and is usually in the form of cartons, trays, and boxes.
For marketing and promotional purposes, secondary packaging can also take the form of retail displays, SRP’s, display pallets, powerwings, and other shelf displays. This type of retail packaging has the flexibility of presenting a variety of SKUs within the same display.
3. Tertiary Packaging
Tertiary packaging is used for bulk handling, storage, and transportation of goods. It can include pallets, stretch wrap, additional corrugate, crates, and/or metal containers, all of which help ensure the safe and efficient transportation of large quantities of products.
Tertiary packaging has been designed to ensure stability in transit.
Outsource Your Co-Packaging Requirements
Atlanta Bonded Warehouse is a leading 3PL provider that provides businesses with experienced and versatile co-packaging solutions. Speak to one of our experts today for more information about streamlining your supply chain.