A Holistic Approach to Co-packing

Looking at the Big Picture

When you’re sourcing a co-packer, it’s helpful to prioritize what is most important to you in this critical partnership.

What do you value the most? Price? Communication? Attention to detail? Turnaround time? National reach?

Of course we want our business relationships to fulfill all of these requirements with equal attention, but it also helps to understand where your potential partner shines the most.

For example, when it comes to price, we’ve all experienced the “you get what you pay for” scenario. It’s uncommon to pay basement bottom prices and get superior results and customer care.

Here is a little mental checklist to tick through as you size up your contract packer of choice:

Communication – clarity on drop off and pick up; availability for questions by phone or email

Attention to detail – getting approvals for first run projects; notifications on packaging or product issues

Turnaround time – realistic assessments on when your copacker can have your finished goods ready

Expertise – reliability on important details such as stable palletizing, dealing with damaged goods, recommendations on tangential vendors, etc.

National Reach – have a national program you’re rolling out? Ask your co-packer if they collaborate with similar co-packers in the opposite end of the country. Cut your work in half but dealing with only one trusted co-packer that will coordinate the same goals and guidelines on your behalf.

While it is tempting to go with the lowest bidder, you may find, in the long run, that lack of communication, ignorance to common pitfall avoidance, lack of expertise, or placation without follow through can really hurt your bottom line.

The best advice is to go with the co-packer you can trust, that charges a fair rate, and that lives up to your priorities.