Product packaging is integral to selling a product, offering containment and protection on its journey to the end user. For many products, it is advantageous for packaging design to be part of the product development process or, at a minimum, designed for the product. Choosing a packaging manufacturer that can meet the requirements of the product, its logistical environment, and the manufacturer’s and end-user’s needs should be considered carefully.
Qualities of a Reputable Packaging Manufacturing Company
Like finding any good vendor, doing some research is in your best interest. The type of product you have may determine your options for packaging. Heavy, bulky items may need wood crating or triple wall corrugated paper, fragile items may require custom foam inserts, and reusable solutions may require plastics. Working with a company that offers a range of packaging capabilities will provide flexibility in designing the best fit solution for the application. In addition to capabilities, there are other traits to consider, such as providing consultation, quality, prompt communication, and on-time delivery.
Consultation Is a Must-Have
Choosing a packaging company shouldn’t be done solely on unit price. It isn’t possible to determine value from a price-per-unit quote. Often there are additional costs or savings associated with the manufacturer you choose. For example, packaging engineers may evaluate your product and determine that the product’s cushioning material can be reduced and the container made smaller while offering the same protection. Overpackaging is a common issue. By rightsizing the packaging, material reduction is possible. It also allows more crates or packages per load, reducing transportation and warehousing costs.
Conversely, if you choose a manufacturer based solely on cost, your risks are increased. In the above example, you would have had unnecessary costs. In another scenario, you might have product damage if the most appropriate materials aren’t used.
Rather than just providing a quote, your packaging manufacturer should work with you as a trusted advisor and extension of your team to review each product, your packaging goals, and the packaging environment and then scientifically design a solution that provides the most efficient use of materials while offering the best protection.
Quality Workmanship Should Be A Given
Receiving good quality packaging that meets your needs should be the norm. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Companies may use subpar or inappropriate materials for the job, lack employees or proper training, take shortcuts, or any number of reasons that quality can suffer. Poor-quality packaging can be costly for you.
Look for certifications and training. Is the staff adequately trained? Do they have certifications or compliance required for your industry, such as ISO 9001 or FDA registration? What metrics do they use to track quality performance? How are nonconformances handled?
Even if your industry doesn’t require regulatory or standard compliance, certification typically means the packaging manufacturer has a robust quality system in place that has passed external audits. While having a quality system doesn’t guarantee that the company will produce quality packaging, certification demonstrates that the company has a framework to identify customer requirements and uses processes and evidence-based decision-making to deliver on these requirements, make continuous improvements, and ensure a consistent product every time.
Customer Service and Prompt Communication Matter
Nothing is worse than having a vendor not respond, take forever to respond, or only respond when it suits them. Lack of communication from your packaging manufacturer can result in delayed quotes, the inability to plan accurately, extended timelines, and possible delays to your customers. A company that values a sense of urgency and excellent customer service will respond to questions and concerns promptly and quickly address any issues.
Notice the level of communication during your initial interactions; it won’t likely get better once you are a customer. Ask how quickly you can expect a response with specific circumstances (customer service, complaint, engineering question, RFQ, etc.). What they ask you is an indicator as well. Is their primary concern closing the deal, or is it understanding your needs and budget? Finally, ensure they provide a clear roadmap to completing your project.
What You Need When You Need It
If your packaging arrives late, it creates a domino effect – potentially creating late orders for your customers. It can erode trust, create unnecessary headaches, and prevent revenue generation for your facility. One of the top performance indicators is on-time delivery. Time is money. To ensure delivery and lead times meet your needs, find out how the manufacturer measures these metrics and what you can expect, given the complexity of your packaging. Beware of giving up quality for shortened lead times and speedy delivery. Find out how they measure on-time delivery and their on-time delivery rate.
Choose Western Industries Corporation
We will work closely with you to design comprehensive, high-quality, cost-effective packaging solutions for your products. From quote to product delivery, we will respond to your needs and communicate regularly, ensuring efficient handling of queries and timely delivery of high-quality products. We offer a variety of materials, so we can optimize your packaging to meet your specific needs. Contact us to learn more.