Benefits of Using a Contract Food Packager

11/8/2021 | 5 min read

Contract food packaging is a win-win situation. It provides a service to companies in the food and food-service industries that don’t have the resources to take care of such tasks, and it generates revenue for the businesses that do. Not only do contract packagers provide the pouch holding your cereal and the carton for your chicken broth, but they also supply the equipment and human resources, which can be cost-prohibitive to small and medium-sized companies.

Benefits of Using Contract Packaging

Trusting your food products with a reliable packager also ensures that they remain free of contaminants, which protects the health and safety of your customers. Packaging is no longer just another step in the manufacturing process; it’s a crucial factor in branding and marketing. For this reason, contract packaging is becoming an increasingly popular option.

Companies spend less on infrastructure, meaning they can invest in other areas of the business that generate higher returns, such as through increased production. The money saved by contracting out packaging allows firms to allocate more toward areas such as research, development and promotion, positioning them for success in the future.

Saving Money

Not only does contracting out the work save on infrastructure costs, but it also eliminates spending tied to labor such as a bigger workforce, training, and costly health insurance benefits. Contract food packaging also brings enhanced flexibility. Packagers offer a myriad of options such as horizontal and vertical fill and seal packages, shrink wrap, pouches in cartons, direct fill cartons, drums, open-mouth bags and bags in boxes so that food companies can pinpoint the perfect packaging for their needs.

Industry Regulations

Similarly, packaging companies are able to advise on the best solutions to implement, based on their knowledge and experience from monitoring the industry. They can also assist with identification of the leading trends in packaging design while aiding in compliance efforts. Industries such as foods, medicine, and other consumer goods are highly regulated, and the governing regulations change frequently. Outsourcing to competent packaging partners erases that regulatory burden for smaller companies, because packagers are outfitted to comply with current laws and maintain the proper credentials.

Next, lead time is reduced with the increased rate of output. Foods stay fresher when packaging begins just after the product is created. Contract packaging also fills a void for companies that experiment with short-term or seasonal packaging. Not doing that work in-house typically is more budget-friendly. Companies that contract their packaging also can take advantage of secondary services such as bar coding and thermoforming. Businesses are also able to continue their efforts to provide a sustainable work environment. Contract packaging provides environmentally-friendly solutions without posing financial hurdles.

The Goal Of Contract Packaging

Contract packagers have a dual goal to get their customers’ products on store shelves as quickly and efficiently as possible while simultaneously meeting, and often exceeding, the industry’s highest quality standards. Those core objectives align well with the strategies of the food producers in need of their services. Valued for the cost savings, flexibility, and sustainability, contract food packaging will continue to be a popular option for companies who maintain a close watch on the bottom line and those seeking to allocate investments in their marketing efforts.

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