Looking for Packing Companies? Here’s What You Really Need to Know
You’ve got a great product but is that enough to make you the most preferred brand in the customer’s eyes? In many cases, before the customer can see and use the product, they see the packaging. Thus, you need to put as much thought into your packaging as you do to product development. This is a niche space and hence taking it on yourself may not be enough. There are a number of packing companies you can work with but they don’t all offer the same quality of services. Before you make a decision about who to work with, here are a few things you should know.
The Types of Materials and Processes the Company is Comfortable With
There are many different types of packing materials available in the market. Each material has its own pros and cons. For example, plastic is lightweight and versatile but not eco-friendly. The ideal packing material for your product depends on the type of product, its characteristics, mode of selling it to the customer, etc. You need to find out what materials the company has worked with in the past and what processes and techniques they have infrastructure for. This should cater to your current packaging needs as well as those in the foreseeable future.
The Preferred Order Specifications
You need to understand what the packing company’s minimum order is. While some companies quantify this in terms of order value, others expect a certain number of pieces. You need to see how this matches your average order size. If your order value is less than the minimum order, the packing companies may charge a premium fee. You also need to ask about the company’s turnaround period. this refers to the length of time needed to complete packing your order. Based on turnaround time and your supply chain schedule, you may also want to ask the company about warehousing facilities and the cost for the same.
Also Read: The Top 10 Industrial Packaging Trends
The Type of Clients the Company Works With
Understanding the type of clients the company typically works with is very important. If they have large multinationals as clients and you have a small, growing brand, your brand may not get the attention it deserves. On the other hand, if the company caters to only small brands, they may not have the infrastructure to fulfil your packaging needs. They may not be able to handle large orders and quality may be a concern. The company you choose to work with should cater to clients like you and have the capability to grow with you.
When you’re comparing packing companies you must also consider the company’s reputation an the type of customer service offered. Ideally, you should have a single point of contact in the company who is responsive to your queries and easy to reach out to. You can get an idea of the company’s client servicing capabilities by speaking to past clients and reading reviews online. Keep this in mind when you’re shortlisting options and choose the company that you feel most comfortable with.