The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Flexible Packaging Company in India for Your Food Business
Every food entrepreneur will acknowledge the fact that packaging is integral to their product. Fundamentally, product packaging solutions provide safety from contamination during handling and in transit through the distribution system. Furthermore, it also communicates the brand’s identity by differentiating the product from numerous other similar products jostling for the consumer’s attention. Last but not least, custom packaging solutions offer a thoughtful user experience, thus enhancing the possibility of repeat purchases in future.
Industrial packaging solutions have been used in the food industry for a very long time. However, with technological advancements, the nature of such packaging has gone through a sea change over the years. Varied forms of flexible pouch packaging are available today, with even advanced features like atmosphere modification inside the package to increase the product’s shelf-life.
Given the overall convenience of customized packaging solutions, manufacturers and consumers alike lean towards such packaging. According to latest reports, the market share of flexible packaging for food products is expected to touch USD 21.64 billion by 2024 from USD 17.23 billion in 2018, at a CAGR of 4.66%.
To cater to this heightened demand, flexible packaging companies are coming up with innovative solutions for packing your product in the most user-friendly yet cost-effective manner.
But with an array of service providers claiming to provide customized and even environmental packaging solutions, the question that arises is how do you choose the right flexible packaging company for your business?
You will have to procure quality packaging supplies while keeping the costs within the budget threshold while simultaneously ensuring that the material reaches you on time so that your supply chain is not disturbed. That sure looks like a lot of considerations to make for the final decision making. To make the process easier for you, we have prepared a checklist that will help to evaluate and decide upon the most promising flexible solution provider to partner with.
Reputation and expertise
Check how long the packaging solution company you are evaluating has been in business and whether it has the expertise in manufacturing packaging solutions for the food industry. Companies with no experience whatsoever in your industry may not be able to understand the principles of food product packaging. Also important to check is market feedback about the quality of services offered by the company. Do not hesitate to ask people who have availed their service or even ask for client testimonials from the prospective packaging solution provider.
Financial stability
Your flexible packaging supplier should have the financial stability to take on large orders and deliver on time. Surely, you would not like to be bothered with payment while waiting for the packaging solutions to be delivered as it will throw off your entire production line and distribution system. Nor would you like to wait for an indefinite period till the supplier raises enough finances to produce and deliver your order. Hence, the financial stability of the company needs a thorough investigation to make sure that your supply chain is not affected at the least.
Quality standards and budget
Check and recheck the quality standards of the packaging solutions manufactured by the company. Do they meet mandatory regulatory requirements? Do they have appropriate quality checkpoints in place? Do they manufacture in a clean and hygienic facility? Affirmative answers to all these questions are imperative for food packaging in particular.
Moreover, the solution offered by the packaging service provider should fit into your budget.
Options for customization
Enquire what other packaging formats they have to offer and in what ways can they customize these. Does the packaging solution company have the bandwidth to customize the packaging as per your needs? Do they have a creative team that can brainstorm with you to develop customized packaging solutions that suit your product the best? Unless your service provider identifies with your business vision, the partnership will not be the best fit possible.
Minimum order quantity
A crucial element is the minimum order quantity of the packaging solutions you need to procure. You may not have a huge warehouse space to order in bulk, or you may be a small-size organisation that does not want to block financial resources by procuring packaging in large quantities. Or it may happen that you need promotional packaging solutions in small volumes. It is a hassle if the service provider is not flexible to supply under a specific MOQ.
Lead time
How long the packaging solution provider takes to deliver your order will decide whether your production line and distribution system runs smoothly or not. The quickest turnaround will be in your favor, meaning that your readied product does not have to wait in assembly to be packed and shipped.
Sustainability
With the buzz around sustainability, most consumers lean towards manufacturers that offer products in environmental packaging solutions. It makes sense to partner with eco-friendly packaging manufacturers so that you can build an ecologically sound brand persona.
Customer service
The packaging solution provider should have a strong service orientation. A dedicated team at the company’s end should be available to promptly answer your queries, respond to urgent requirements, suggest viable solutions or resolve your issues. Partnering with a company that does not have an attitude of customer service will be liking working against a brick wall.
As one of the top-rung flexible packaging companies in India, Solos Polymers confidently ticks off all the above checkpoints. We are known and trusted by our clients for our 100% quality assured flexible packaging solutions. We invite you for a chat with our team on how we can contribute to the growth of your food business. You can contact us via our online contact form or call us.
