Top 10 Questions to Ask a Food Co-Manufacturer - YouBar

The food industry could not exist without co-packers, and this is particularly true for smaller start-ups and entrepreneurial businesses. Indeed, according to the most recent “State of the Food Industry” report from the Specialty Food Association, roughly half of all specialty food businesses – including hundreds of the most popular brands that you see on the shelves of stores like Whole Foods – are made by co-packers. This allows companies to focus on growing their brands and their business’ sales instead of food production. 

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Co-packing services can vary greatly from one company to another – from creating formulas to manufacturing to package design and FDA compliance. And choosing the right co-packer for your food business or CPG brand can mean the difference between success and failure. A good co-packer will effectively become your business’ external Chief Operations Officer, and so you need to approach a call with a prospective co-packer like an interview for an invaluable internal company position. 

Start the search by talking to food industry contacts that you might have – in person, or through social media websites like LinkedIn and Facebook. Then, expand your search through search engines like Google and LinkedIn’s search tool. Online research might seem somewhat simplistic but it can be an invaluable tool to find a co-packer in the modern landscape because of its ability to deliver precisely to your particular needs. 

Once you identify a CPG co-packer or two that you believe might be a good match for your company, go into the call prepared with a list of questions you have. Here’s a great jumping-off point for the top 10 key questions you should ask any potential food co-packer:

1. What type of food products do you make? (Ensure that this is a perfect ‘match’ for what you need before moving forward.)
2. Do you offer recipe formulation and testing (ie; water activity testing), or is the client responsible to bring a ‘finished recipe’ with complete testing already completed?
3. What are your minimum order quantities (MOQs)? (Large CPG co-packers in the snack bar business, for example, typically have MOQs starting at around 100,000 bars per flavor per run – but there are some great co-packers that have much more flexible MOQs for smaller entrepreneurial start-ups.)
4. What certifications do you have? Gluten Free? Non GMO Project Verification? Organic?
5. Will you source the ingredients for me, or do I need to purchase them and handle that supply chain myself? (Co-packers that offer to do this for their clients can often deliver a better end price because they frequently have much better buying power than an individual client would have on their own.)
6. What are your lead times from the date that a purchase order is placed?
7. Are you SQF certified? What was the score on your most recent audit? (Many major retail stores will not accept non-SQF third party auditing verification. If you have large retail ambitions for your CPG brand, choosing a co-packer that is SQF is vital.)
8. Are you able and willing to grow with us? If I’m ordering at your minimum order quantity now, how big can I get with you? Is there a ‘ceiling’ with you?
9. Do you provide support on FDA compliant package creation? Will you ensure that my packaging meets the legal requirements for sale in the United States? Will you help in finding the best package supplier for my products?
10. Are there any questions that I should have asked that I have not?

Finding the right packaging supplier for your company can be quite a challenging, time consuming, and frustrating process, since not all packaging companies are the same. Packaging companies can vary among quality standards and capabilities to products, services, who they serve and where. For your company’s success it is important for you to select the right packaging provider for your business as it can have a direct impact on your company’s operations.

A good packaging supplier should be able to meet all of your packaging needs in one place and on time (within industry standard). A quality packaging supplier will improve your business operations with efficient packaging solutions, which will help your bottom line.

Typically, a poor packaging supplier will not be able to fulfill your order to your specifications or requirements. Usually, a poor packaging supplier will provide a poor experience with delivery delays, quality issues, billing roadblocks, which will essentially cost you time and many lost opportunities for your business.

Ultimately, your packaging provider’s products, services, capabilities, quality standards, who they serve and where, should align with your company’ needs. In order to find this information, you have to ask questions to potential suppliers you are considering working with. 

Overview: 10 Questions You Need To Ask Your Packaging Provider

1. What Packaging Products Do You Offer?
2. Do You Offer Any Services?
3. Are You A Manufacturer or Distributor?
4. What Is Your Expected Lead Time?
5. Is There An Order Minimum?
6. Can You Supply Me With Samples, If Needed?
7. Can You Meet Retailer Requirements?
8. Do You Have Any Recommendations Or Concerns For My Project?
9. How Much Does It Cost For Delivery?
10. Are You Experienced In Projects Similar To Mine?

What Packaging Products Do You Offer?

Not all packaging suppliers provide the same packaging products, as there are a large variety of packaging supplies in the market. Some suppliers focus on stock or standard products, others do custom packaging and some do both. Not every packaging supplier will sell the same product. 

For example, some packaging companies focus on POP displays, some will supply foam, others focus on corrugated or chipboard boxes. You will find that some packaging companies may only offer one product and specialize in that product, while others can offer you a wide selection of stock and custom packaging. 

Ultimately, depending on what packaging company you choose to question, their answer should vary from one another. It is important to keep in mind that you are looking for a packaging partner that can help you and fulfill your packaging needs.

Do You Offer Any Services?

Like products, services and capabilities of the packaging supplier can vary from one another. Services can be delivery, product and material sampling/testing, consulting, structural design, graphic design, fulfillment, and more. Some of these services can be offered in-house by the packaging supplier or it may be outsourced. 

Services are usually most required when you are purchasing a custom packaging product. Stock products generally do not require services as often. Delivery services are usually universally provided by packaging suppliers. 

Renhe supply professional and honest service.

Pick a packaging service provider that works best for you. If your supplier does not offer your desired services, then this may require you to involve another party or to find a supplier that does everything for you under them.

Are You A Manufacturer or Distributor?

Buying from a manufacturer versus a distributor can be completely different. Manufacturers tend to only provide only one or few products and services, while a distributor can provide you a wide variety of products and services.

Purchasing from a manufacturer is best when you are buying in bulk and are only seeking one item. It is important to mention that some manufacturers only work distributors and may not supply products to you.

Distributors are ideal when you are unsure about what packaging product you will need, as they can supply and recommend a variety of packaging products. If you need multiple packaging products, for example, packaging tape, boxes, edge protectors, stretch film and labels, then a distributor can help you get all that in one place. In addition, they work with a variety of manufacturers and vendors to help provide you a wide range of outsource services that you may need. Hybrid suppliers can provide some of these services in-house in addition to what a distributor can provide.

What Is Your Expected Lead Time?

It is important for you to meet your project deadlines, prevent shortages, and missed opportunities due to poor lead times. By asking your supplier when they expect your packaging order to be complete, should be a main focus on whether you choose that supplier. 

Lead times can tell you a lot about your packaging supplier such as their purchasing power in the market, relationship with other suppliers, and how attentive they are to your order. This does not mean you should create unrealistic deadlines, as packaging can be complex and take time to create, however you should see if it’s comparable to other vendors you are trying to get a quote from.

In general, stock packaging products have a much lower lead time, while custom packaging products have a much longer lead time.

Is There An Order Minimum?

Manufacturers and distributors typically require order minimums when placing an order. This is because in order to remain profitable, competitive, and in business, they have to cover all costs of creating or supplying your packaging, while including a markup. 

Order minimums are subjective to suppliers, some are more efficient than others in small quantities, while others are better in medium or large quantities. This is based on machinery and company capabilities, networking (for distributors). In addition, order minimums will vary based on what materials you order.

Depending on how much packaging product you will need will help influence which packaging provider will work best for you.

Are You Experienced In Projects Similar To Mine?

Experience plays a large role in the success and value of packaging products. Experienced packaging professionals know the ins and outs of packaging such as how to improve your packaging’s cost efficiency, protection, structural integrity, storage efficiency and more. 

By asking packaging suppliers if they are experienced in projects similar to yours, can help you weed inexperienced suppliers. Inexperienced manufacturers may have issues in production, while distributors may not have the best networking to give you the best value and overall cost for your project. 

If you are interested in working with an experienced packaging supplier with diverse experience in serving businesses with packaging solutions, then contact Brown Packaging today.

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