Choosing A Packaging Supplier
If you’ve been looking at your packaging supplier, think about whether or not they’re making the most out of the budget you’re providing for them. Can they really deliver what you need? Do they have an efficient method of delivering your goods, keeping up with changes in regulations and customizing solutions to best serve your company? Is their support consistent? When you think about the true expense of packaging and all that it takes to make your product reach your customer, you might begin to question if your packaging suppliers aren’t a good fit. According to a recently conducted survey of packaging experts, 70% indicated that they were using shared folders, spreadsheet-based packaging or just… no packaging at all.
The truth is that many packaging suppliers aren’t receiving the help they need from their shippers or clients. Many packaging suppliers don’t have the time or expertise to help ensure that the products they’re sending off are in tip top shape once they arrive at their customers’ doorsteps. In some cases, consumers have purchased goods and only discovered after the fact that they’d made a costly mistake. But even more often, consumers only realized that their goods were defective after it’s too late to do anything about it.
So, how can you ensure that your next purchase of packaging supplies is the one that’s right for your company? One of the first things to look at is how accurate your packaging supplier’s colour management system is. According to the American Packaging Association (A.P.A. ), consumer awareness has improved dramatically over the last five years thanks in large part to colour-coding. Modern packaging supplies such as reflective tape, labels, wraps and stamps all feature unique colour coding that enables the storing and viewing of inventory much easier than ever before. While this may seem like an obvious choice when looking for your new packaging supplier, many suppliers still refuse to invest in the technology necessary to use it, or don’t have the technical skills to implement it themselves.
Another important factor in finding the best supplier is to keep on top of any changes in your supply chain. Chemical and food safety regulations can be very confusing, and companies that are not actively involved in them can be at a serious disadvantage when it comes to doing business. If you find a packaging supplier who is constantly updating their compliance policies and procedures, or a supplier who is helping you comply with the latest health and safety regulations, then that’s a great indication that they’ll be able to provide you with the best service possible. Of course, it’s also important to keep abreast of the changing regulations on both domestic and international levels. As new outbreaks of foodborne illnesses and outbreaks of shipping accidents make it clear that maintaining good packaging is absolutely essential in both safety and image, it’s also important to look for a company with a solid commitment to sustainability and good health.
The packaging suppliers that provide you with on-time delivery, or offer a next day delivery service, are likely to be those that operate within the formalized logistics market. These companies have been trading for many years and have developed a strong expertise in delivering goods on time, which ensures both the consumers and the operations of the companies that they services. They will also have developed in-depth systems and procedures and will always be keeping on top of the latest developments to ensure that your supply chain remains risk-free and efficient.
Once you’ve found a handful of prospective packaging suppliers in Southeast Asia, you should meet them and get to know them. Southeast Asia is a region with a diverse set of cultures, so it’s important to make sure that you’re dealing with a supplier that speaks the language of the people you’re sending goods to. They may not all be in the same time zone, and in some cases, they may not be speaking English! It’s also a great idea to learn as much about your prospective packaging supplier as possible before you establish a working relationship with them. You’ll find that there’s a lot to learn about any number of different areas when it comes to international trade, so it’s always a good idea to start doing some reading up before you sign on the dotted line.
