Contract Food Packaging: How to Choose the Right Supplier
White-labelled contract manufacturing is all about delivering on time and in full to the deadline agreed with the client. Everything depends on the production lines running to schedule, which itself depends on food packaging arriving on time and to specification for every single run.
As many contract packaging companies providing white-labelled services for multiple manufacturers will know, an unreliable packaging supplier can put client relationships at risk because the consistency and quality control required to deliver efficient economy at scale is damaged.
We will look at what makes a reliable food packaging manufacturer and what to check when committing to a supplier.
If you would like to talk to the Venturepak team about our plastic food containers for contract packing services, please click here.
The importance of supply reliability for contract food packaging
Most contract packagers will have multiple food production lines running simultaneously, with tight changeovers planned between products and invoicing tied into completed packing runs.
Delays must be kept to a minimum wherever possible. Profit is tightly linked to efficiency, and any negative impacts on efficiency can create issues throughout the production process. This differs from branded products with single or small run lines, where delays can often be absorbed.
A plastic food packaging supplier, such as Venturepak, must offer a high guarantee in reliable supply, not just in quantity on time, but also consistent quality across the units. Every round pot or rectangular tub should be exactly the same, and production deadlines should have an extremely high completion percentage.
Venturepak specialises in manufacturing 100% food-grade Polypropylene packaging in pallet quantities, with call-off orders available. We pride ourselves on our excellent On Time and In Full (OTIF) contract fulfilment. For a quote or more information, please contact us here.
What reliable food packaging supply looks like for supply chain management
Lead times
There are two factors to consider with lead times:
- Does the lead time fit with your production schedules, and will this affect the volume you need to order up front?
- Does the supplier hit their quoted lead time consistently? Can they be relied upon to complete their order when they said they would?
A long lead time means that the contract food packager has a short window in which to get their supply lines organised, and if there is an error in the volume required, or a shortfall on delivery, then rectifying the error can take even more time and further increase the impact on production. The second issue with long lead times is the space required to store the pallets. A lengthy wait means a larger order, tying up cash and valuable space that could be used towards production.
Venturepak carries a good volume of stock for regularly ordered items, which means lead times and call-off orders are completed in a matter of days. For tailored production requests, perhaps including In Mould Labelling (IML), we can manufacture orders in a very short window. This means fewer units in your warehouse, less cash tied up in work in progress and more confidence that you can order what you need, when you need it.
The second factor to consider with packaging reliability is order completion consistency. Does the supplier complete orders within the time they quoted, or are there regular changes or delays? For contract packagers, hitting the quoted date is as important as the length of the lead time. Planning for multiple clients, knowing when a new production run will start and having the materials on the factory floor ready to go all rely on suppliers hitting their deadlines.
Venturepak stock items have a lead time of 2-3 days, so your production team can be confident they can plan accurately, efficiently and most importantly, profitably.
Contact us for a quote today and speak to our team about our reliable delivery.
Manufacturing flexibility to support your multi-client requirements
The nature of contract packaging means volumes aren’t always regular and production needs to be flexible in between runs. This might be because demand shifts seasonally, or as the business wins new clients. It might be because the client is running a promotion and expects an increase in units sold. Whatever the reason, packaging projects aren’t always the same every time.
As your business adapts to suit your clients’ needs, so your supply chain needs to do the same. A plastic packaging manufacturer with rigid order quantities may force you to hold supply you don’t need, or take too long to react to the requirements of a new project.
A good supplier should be able to flex with your requirements and help you efficiently complete client orders. They should work in partnership with your production teams to plan manufacturing runs, including being able to manage multiple product specifications concurrently. Venturepak provide a smooth service; we can handle different combinations of tub, shape and lid simultaneously, and our team will be in tight communication with yours so we can provide the flexibility you need when things change.
Speak to our team to find out more
Communication and partnership with your packaging supplier
Successful contract packaging requires tight communication at all times, not just when things go wrong. A supplier who offers a two-day customer service response time, or only provides an email address for contact, is not going to react quickly enough or be an active part of the planning process to be reliable.
You need a supply partner who will be on hand with production updates and accessible whenever you need them. Venturepak has an excellent reputation for superb customer service and a friendly, proactive team. We understand how crucial communication is for an efficient production process, and we will provide regular manufacturing updates, flag in advance any potential issues and be on hand to help when units run unexpectedly low or are damaged.
Why Venturepak for contract packaging companies?
Venturepak has rapidly built a strong reputation for manufacturing high-quality product packaging, on time, in full and when you need them. We are a flexible supply partner who can help you plan well in advance for production runs and then adapt quickly when your client’s requirements change. Our product range is comprehensive, and we can handle simultaneous requirements for different tubs, lids and shapes, plus we can provide In Mould Labelling, so your plastic containers are ready to go as soon as they are delivered.
Speak to our team here about your next order
Contract Food Packaging: Frequently Asked Questions
What lead times should contract packers expect for tub and lid orders?
Lead times vary based on the following:
- The size and type of order
- Whether the items are already held in stock
- Any additional processes such as In-mould labelling
The key factors with lead times for contract food packaging clients are accuracy and consistency. Venturepak deliver on time and in full at the time we specify, time and again. We pride ourselves on our reliability, so you can plan effectively.
How do I check a plastic food packaging manufacturer’s quality consistency before placing an order?
There are two ways to check whether the quality control of products from a plastic packaging manufacturer meets your specifications: through samples and reviews.
You can request samples of almost any product from the Venturepak sales team before placing your order. We know we have a high-quality range of products, and we’re happy to send whatever you need upon request.
Reviews from other clients are an excellent way to see honestly whether the supplier’s claims live up to expectations. Venturepak’s reviews are excellent, and we pride ourselves on our dedication to customer satisfaction.
What questions should I ask a new packaging supplier before switching?
We’ve already looked at querying products, delivery, flexibility and communication. Another marker of a good plastic food packaging manufacturer is their accreditations. Check to ensure the supplier is accredited with an industry standard association; this is a mark of quality assurance.
Venturepak manufactures its products to BRC Global Standards (Grade A+). If you require evidence of certification for your compliance chain, please speak to our team.
