What Are The Different Types Of Contract Packaging Services?
As a business owner, you may be considering contract packaging services for your products. However, with numerous types of packaging services available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one that meets your needs.
It’s important to note that not all contract packaging companies offer the same services. Thus, it’s crucial to gain a better understanding of each service to select a provider that fits your requirements.
At MSL COPACK + ECOMM, we have been providing contract packaging services for decades, helping numerous companies like yours to find the right packaging solutions for their business.
In this article, we will delve into the different types of contract packaging services available and help you identify the specific services that align with your business goals.
By understanding the various packaging services available, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about the types of services you need and select a contract packaging company that can fulfill them. Whether you need custom packaging design, assembly, or distribution services, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide to help you make the right decision for your business
Primary Packaging Service
Primary packaging is the initial layer of packaging that comes into direct contact with the products. The primary objective of primary packaging is to contain, protect, and preserve the products, guarding them against external contaminants and defects.
One of the best examples of primary packaging is blister packaging used for over-the-counter pharmaceutical products. Blister packaging provides an added layer of protection and alerts consumers to contamination if it has occurred, ensuring that the products remain safe for consumption.
In many cases, primary packaging is the last material that the consumer will remove before using the product. Therefore, primary packaging plays a vital role in enhancing the overall product appeal, as it can serve as a branding tool and offer protective capabilities.
Primary packaging can also help in extending the shelf life of the products by providing a protective barrier against moisture, light, and other external elements that may affect the quality of the products. Additionally, primary packaging is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the product during transportation and storage.
Overall, the importance of primary packaging cannot be overstated. It plays a critical role in safeguarding the products, extending their shelf life, enhancing their brand appeal, and maintaining their integrity throughout their journey from the manufacturer to the end-user.
Secondary Packaging Services
Secondary packaging is the external layer of packaging that provides an additional level of protection for the primary packaged items. It serves as a safeguard against external elements such as moisture, dirt, and damage during transportation and storage.
Cardboard boxes are a popular type of secondary packaging used in eCommerce businesses as they can serve as the product’s shipping container, offering an extra layer of protection during transit.
Secondary packaging is typically made up of two or more materials, such as boxes, air pillows, bagging, packaging peanuts, and other similar supplies. These materials are chosen based on the product’s fragility and transportation requirements. Additionally, secondary packaging is often printed or labeled to differentiate between packages and provide brand recognition.
In recent years, companies have been advancing secondary packaging with the use of technology such as smart packaging and augmented reality. These technologies offer superior tracking and inventory applications, allowing for more efficient supply chain management and improved customer experiences.
Smart packaging uses sensors and data tracking to monitor the product’s temperature, humidity, and other vital factors during transportation and storage. This technology ensures that products remain in optimal condition throughout their journey to the end-user.
Augmented reality, on the other hand, allows consumers to interact with the product’s packaging, providing a unique and engaging experience. This technology can enhance brand recognition and customer loyalty, offering a competitive advantage to businesses that adopt it.
Overall, secondary packaging plays a crucial role in protecting the products during transportation and storage. With the advancement of technology, businesses can now optimize their secondary packaging to improve their supply chain management and enhance customer experiences.
Third-Party Logistic Services
Third-party logistics (3PL) has become increasingly popular over the years. It refers to the outsourcing of logistics functions, such as inventory control, cold-storage, and fulfillment, to a third-party partner. Many eCommerce clients turn to co-packers to provide 3PL services, as it helps them simplify and streamline their business operations.
One of the main advantages of 3PL is the ability to reduce the workload of the customer. By outsourcing warehousing, transportation, and storage management, the customer can focus on other aspects of their business. This can lead to increased efficiency and productivity, as well as cost savings.
3PL providers often use automation or outsourced labor to manage these tasks, which can result in further cost reductions and improved speed to market. Through economies of scale, 3PL providers can offer their customers competitive pricing and access to advanced technology and resources.
In recent years, the growth of eCommerce has fueled the demand for 3PL services. Online retailers require fast and reliable shipping options, as well as efficient inventory management. 3PL providers can help them meet these demands by providing customized logistics solutions that are tailored to their specific needs.
Overall, 3PL has become an essential component of the modern supply chain. It allows businesses to focus on their core competencies while outsourcing logistics functions to a reliable partner. With the help of 3PL providers, businesses can improve their efficiency, reduce costs, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace.
Cold-Storage Service
Cold-storage refers to the storage and transportation of temperature-sensitive products, such as food and beverages, in refrigerated conditions. It involves the use of specialized warehousing facilities and transportation services that are equipped with refrigeration systems to maintain a consistent and safe temperature range.
Cold-storage is essential for a wide range of products that require low-temperature storage and transportation to maintain their quality and safety. These products include perishable food items, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, and frozen goods like pizzas, ice cream, and other frozen treats. Additionally, many pharmaceutical products, including vaccines and drugs, require cold-storage to ensure their efficacy.
The use of cold-storage can help businesses ensure product safety and freshness, as well as comply with regulatory requirements. It also enables businesses to expand their product offerings and increase their market reach by extending the shelf life of their products.
In addition to cold-storage facilities, cold-chain logistics providers also offer specialized transportation services that are equipped with refrigeration systems. These services are essential for ensuring the safe and timely delivery of temperature-sensitive products to their destination.
Cold-storage is an essential component of many industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. The growing demand for perishable goods and temperature-sensitive products has led to an increase in the use of cold-storage facilities and logistics services. As such, cold-storage will continue to play a critical role in the supply chain for years to come.
Kitting & packaging
Kitting & packaging is the process of packaging multiple SKUs into a single, unified package, resulting in a new SKU. This process is particularly popular among retail establishments and eCommerce businesses that require pre-packaged collections of different products in a single, easy-to-manage SKU.
By combining multiple SKUs into a single package, kitting helps streamline the supply chain process. It reduces the number of individual items that need to be tracked, managed, and shipped, which can lead to significant cost savings and improved efficiency. Moreover, it can help reduce the complexity of the inventory management process, making it easier to keep track of products and ensure accurate inventory levels.
One of the main advantages of kitting is its flexibility. It allows businesses to create custom packages that meet the unique needs of their customers. For example, eCommerce businesses can create product bundles that include complementary items, such as a camera and a tripod, to encourage upselling and cross-selling. Retail establishments can also create pre-packaged gift sets for holidays or special occasions.
In addition to its flexibility, kitting can also enhance the customer experience. By offering pre-packaged collections of products, businesses can save their customers time and effort when shopping. This can lead to higher customer satisfaction and repeat business.
Overall, kitting is an effective and efficient way to package and sell multiple products as a single SKU. It helps businesses reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance the customer experience. As such, it has become an essential service for retail establishments and eCommerce businesses looking to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced marketplace.
Point of purchase packaging service
Point-of-purchase displays, also known as POP displays, are an effective marketing tool used by businesses to influence consumer buying behavior at the point of sale. These displays are strategically located near promoted products, typically at the checkout line or other high-traffic areas, where consumers are more likely to make a purchase decision.
The primary goal of POP displays is to grab the attention of consumers and create a memorable in-store shopping experience. This is achieved through the use of eye-catching branded content that is designed to stand out from the surrounding products. These displays may include creative cardboard shelving, stacked products, banners, and other physical or digital elements that are customized to the specific brand or product being promoted.
Modern POP displays have evolved to include a range of interactive elements that engage and entertain consumers. These may include interactive digital screens, virtual reality experiences, and audio features that provide product information and enhance the shopping experience.
POP displays have been proven to increase sales and brand awareness by creating a more memorable and engaging shopping experience. By strategically placing these displays in high-traffic areas and using creative and attention-grabbing content, businesses can influence consumer behavior and increase their chances of making a sale.
Overall, point-of-purchase displays are an essential component of any successful retail marketing strategy. They offer businesses an opportunity to showcase their products and brand in a way that stands out from the competition and drives consumer engagement and sales. As such, they will continue to play a critical role in the retail industry for years to come.
How to find the right contract packaging services that fit for your business?
While this article gives you an overview of the contact packing landscape there are tons of other factors to consider when you are looking for a contract packaging partner for your company.
Read How to Choose the Right Contract Packing Partner For Your Business to learn what to consider when you are looking for a contract packaging partner and get in touch with us at MSL COPACK + ECOMM so that we can help you find the perfect contract packaging solution for your business needs.