by ifs_admin | Co-Packing, Transportation & Logistics, Warehousing & Distribution
Your supply chain is the life and soul of your company. It’s what keeps everything moving, what drives sales, and what keeps your company afloat. The rest of your business will suffer if your supply chain is up to par. There are many moving parts in a supply chain, a lot to keep an eye on. Certain things are vital to creating and maintaining a healthy and successful supply chain. Without a solid supply chain, your business will face uphill battles all along the way. There is no underselling a successful supply chain when it comes to accounting for the success of your business.
Reliability
Having a successful supply chain will make your company one that people can rely on. If your supply chain constantly gets backed up or fumbling orders, your product, and customers will suffer. Being able to deliver orders is the supply chain’s number one responsibility, all said and done. A successful supply chain will get your product where it needs to be when it needs to be there.
Putting together a high-performance supply chain will get your product to market time and time again. Making sure your supply chain management is top-notch will only be an advantage in the long run. There is no better investment in your business than putting together a supply chain that you, your customers, and your clients can rely on.
You want your product and your company’s name to be one that people can rely on. Every step of your supply chain should be streamlined. The easier orders move, the more people will associate your brand with consistency and dependability. If your supply chain keeps you from delivering on time, it’s time to reevaluate some elements.
QA/QC
Along with the reliability of delivering products, your supply chain is also responsible for quality control and assurance. QA/QC is a step that can’t be skipped regarding the supply chain. Quality control is all about attention to detail. Making sure everything is as it should be before your product hits the shelves is crucial to your brand’s reputation. What QA/QC offers your company will build everything up.
A supply chain with good QA/QC puts your product first. With as many moving parts as a supply chain has, it’s important to dedicate manpower to the condition of what’s going to market. You wouldn’t want to put less than your best onto the market. This step in your supply chain will create a sense of surety for you and your clients.
Automation
If you have a successful supply chain, you can rest easy. A smooth system opens up a whole new world for your business. Not only will an efficient supply chain make for easy production, but it will also give you more time to focus on different aspects of your business. Knowing everything is happening as it should be without your direct involvement or supervision means you have time to do much more.
Rather than worrying about every single step of your supply chain, you’ll be able to network, find new customer bases, and further develop other parts of your business. Effective supply chain management means putting in time up front to save yourself a lot of effort on the back end. A supply chain should be put in place to bring ease to your overall goal. Setting up your supply chain is setting yourself and your business up for success.
Doing the work to create a fully automated supply chain is just good business. The amount of time you will save yourself and your confidence in your product is worth its weight in gold. There are so many supply chain bells and whistles, and getting things just right is hard work—but once you’ve cracked the code, you’ll never look back.
A successful supply chain will create and package the product and ship it out. Without a well-managed supply chain, you will experience significantly more bumps in the road. With proper supply chain management, your company will soar. Everything will operate precisely how it should, which means that the product will arrive on time for your customers and in tip-top condition. If you’ve done the extra work to fine-tune the entire process, you will have a successful supply chain and a hands-off one. The ideal supply chain operates effectively so that you can focus on the entirety of your company, not just the production aspect.
To set up a genuinely successful supply chain, it’s important to consider costs, risks, and production speed. IFS can help with all of these elements. IFS is a leading company in co-packing that specializes in fulfillment and distribution. Chat with a packaging specialist today if you need help sorting out your supply chain.
About IFS as a 3PL
Impact Fulfillment Services (IFS) is a full-service 3PL and Contract Packaging partner offering customized Omni-channel solutions for established and emerging brands. Our Concept to Checkout focus helps grow your business by increasing speed and flexibility while minimizing risks to your supply chain.
To learn more about our 3PL services, speak to a specialist!
#impactfs #supplychain #copacking #co-packing #impactyourbrand
by ifs_admin | Co-Packing
With contract packaging services, getting your product packaged is a big job and comes with many decisions. Depending on your business, there can be many moving parts regarding packaging. When you’re just starting, it’s easier to do it yourself. But what happens when you begin to outgrow your usual facility? If you find yourself in that position, it might be time to consider contract packaging. Contract packaging companies take the burden of production and packaging off your hands. Let’s look at some of the differences and pros and cons between keeping packaging in-house and moving up to contract packaging.
Quality
- Pros: No one knows your business better than you. You started everything and know how things need to be done. There is more control in keeping the production and packaging of your goods in-house. You can keep an eye on every aspect of production. You are your quality control and assurance department when you keep packaging in-house.
- Cons: The only problem with continuing to do it all yourself is the time it costs. If you’re the only one handling your businesses’ production and packaging, then a good chunk of your time goes. Packaging is time-consuming, especially if you’re aiming for brand consistency and mass appeal. Keeping everything in-house also means that you are limited in the order size you can complete. Outsourcing your packaging process allows you to take more time to develop the rest of your brand and reach out to potential customers and vendors.
Controlling your entire production line seems like the best option, but co-packing has the edge. Bringing a contract packaging company into your operation frees up your time and allows for greater production volume.
Pricing
- Pros: By controlling your production, you also have better control over its costs. Of course, you’re still at the mercy of the market regarding materials that go into production and packaging. But even with that in mind, you have the option to edit and manage costs by doing everything in-house. Balancing out price between production and distribution can be mitigated in-house.
- Cons: Contract packaging has the potential to be more expensive than in-house production, but it’s not a guarantee. Many co-packing services utilize a flat or per-unit rate. These rates are usually fixed, so you can always count on paying that amount. You won’t have to worry about the extra costs of containers or other packaging materials. Your co-packing partner will take care of all of your packaging needs. Finding an exemplary contract packaging service can take time and research, but that’s true of anything in business.
The pricing scales of contract packaging services might seem a little daunting, but it can save you big in the end. You’ll be making up for what you’ll be paying for in production in other aspects. It also promotes growth. If the current size of your orders is too small for your consumers, you know you can upgrade that service and increase supply.
Distribution
- Pros: If you are handling the production of your goods in-house, that likely means you’re also delivering it to market. You are responsible for getting your product to the masses. By keeping that in your control, you can be sure that everything is getting to your consumer safely and in one piece.
- Cons: Much like the pros and cons of quality, distribution follows those same lines. Certain co-packing services will also handle distribution for you, taking one more thing off your plate. Bringing on help with packaging also allows you to cast a more expansive distribution net. Where before you might have been limited to your own car’s tank of gas, a co-packer opens miles and miles of opportunity. And as we all know, accidents and mistakes happen. Just because the product is in your hands doesn’t mean it will get to market any safer than it would with a co-packer. Co-packers have more means to keep your products safe in transit than you do alone.
Trusting contract packaging services with your product might seem scary, but it’s safer than you think. Because they are in the packaging and shipping business, they know exactly what to do to get things safely from A to B. Get your product to more people safer and faster than you could on your own.
Packaging Options
- Pro: Deciding precisely what you want your product to look like is a long, arduous process. There’s tons of trial and error to ensure everything is correct. You get to decide how everything looks every time before it hits the market. This comes back to QAQC and keeping things on brand.
- Cons: Keeping things in-house seriously limits your options outside of brand design. As an in-house operation, the odds of having access to the same equipment as a co-packing company are slim. If your product requires blister packaging or shrink wrapping, you’re better off reaching out to a co-packing company. Many contract packaging services will even help you with branding if you need it.
Aside from putting hand-made personal touches on the finished product, co-packing has the definite upper hand. Trusting a contract packaging service means you can level-up your packaging across the board. Create more eye-catching branding, safer containers, and better packages all around.
When looking for the right co-packing company, look no further than IFS.
As a leader in the co-packing industry, IFS has top-of-the-line equipment and technology. IFS doesn’t follow industry standards, they set them. Not only will they make your product look great, but they’ll keep it safe and ensure you are satisfied. IFS can handle any of your packaging needs with a reasonable price tag attached. If you have questions or inquiries about the services provided by IFS, chat with a packaging specialist now.
About IFS as a 3PL
Impact Fulfillment Services (IFS) is a full-service 3PL and Contract Packaging partner offering customized Omni-channel solutions for established and emerging brands. Our Concept to Checkout focus helps grow your business by increasing speed and flexibility while minimizing risks to your supply chain.
To learn more about our 3PL services, speak to a specialist!
#impactfs #supplychain #copacking #co-packing #impactyourbrand
by ifs_admin | Co-Packing
There is a lot more that goes into effective packaging design than meets the eye. And that’s kind of the point. When it comes to successful packaging design, the aim is to make it look effortless but memorable. The packaging of a product should announce the product from the shelf. And while looking good, it still has to serve the main functional purpose of packaging: safety. It is crucial to ensure a product’s integrity is maintained during the shuffle of getting things to market. With all of that in mind, packaging should still be easy to remove when needed and affect the product’s usability.
Announce Brand
Packaging should, of course, make the use of the product obvious. When we think of famous packaging, we think of things like the iconic Coke bottle or Burt’s Bees’ signature yellow tube. Effective packaging design makes the brand known immediately and tells consumers what it is they’re buying. Along with the logo or name, packaging may also sometimes contain bits of information or facts about the product that are important to know. For example, diet soda or sparkling water might advertise limited or no calories. Makeup packaging might advertise lengthened lashes or all-natural ingredients. At the very least, successful packaging design engages the consumer and gets them to take a closer look at what lies within.
Packaging solutions are a great way to get additional advertising without putting up billboards or paying for commercial spots. Eye-catching packaging that sets a product apart from the rest pays for itself in the end, even on the shelf. Whether a bottle of syrup or a can of soup, having the right packaging for a brand is a make-or-break situation. Branding and effective packaging design also depend on your industry. A cosmetics company might be wary of clashing colors, while a cereal brand geared toward children would lean toward big bright colors. Packaging takes all of these things into account and broadcasts your company’s message to consumers. This is advertising, the first point of contact, and brand presence all in one.
Lasting Impact
We’ve already talked about Coke and its great presence, thanks to the packaging. But their superior use of packaging goes even deeper than that. Good, consistent, and aesthetically appealing packaging will stick in the minds of consumers for years to come. You want people to remember your product, and your packaging can help. If someone is strolling down the cosmetics aisle searching for a razor, they’re practically inundated by options. There are all different kinds of razors offering different things. Closest shave, reusable, contains lotion, made from recycled plastic, these are the things that are being advertised. But only a consumer who has tested out a few will be able to look past those promises and remember which one lasted the longest, which one cut the least, and on and on. Having memorable packaging helps consumers to remember that your brand is trustworthy and reliable.
There can be no brand loyalty without an established brand. Such a big part of any brand rests in the packaging. Lackluster packaging means being overlooked and eventually forgotten. Packaging that doesn’t announce itself and draw consumers in is doomed to fail. Custom packaging that makes your brand clear and your product memorable will be the lifeblood of sales.
Security
While we’ve covered the need for packaging to be pretty and appealing, good packaging is also safe. Or rather, it keeps the product safe. Packaging, whether primary or secondary, is about protection. If whatever is surrounding your product—be it a jar, a tube, or a wrapper—breaks or doesn’t hold up against shipping, what’s the point? You can have the best branding and prettiest packaging in the game, but if it’s made of weak stuff, it’s all for nothing. Putting your product in the proper packaging is an investment. Packaging protects; that’s as simple as it gets.
A truly successful packaging design is the perfect balance of protection and beauty. Effective packaging design, in most cases, is a draw to consumers. Selling laundry detergent with an easy pour spout or a cleaning product with child-proof caps and the like are valuable features to certain consumers. Nobody wants to buy a bottle of over-the-counter pain reliever that isn’t tamper-proof. The smart thing to do is consider the consumer at every turn, including packaging. The safety of your product should be the top priority. Successful packaging design blends the art of marketing and the security necessary for transportation.
Accessibility
Another fundamental of effective packaging design is maybe the most obvious. Accessing the product from within the packaging easily is, of course, a must. The accessibility of a product can vary from product to product. When it comes to medical supplies, like medications and topical treatments that are toxic to ingest, it’s best to have extra barriers built into packaging, like self-locking caps. But for other goods, like breakfast cereal and jars of olive oil, it’s important to be able to get to the product without sacrificing freshness. That’s where bags inside of boxes and easily removed seals covered by caps come in. The last thing you want is to be known as a pretty product that is impossible to open or use.
There are certain elements of secondary packaging that should be intentionally difficult to remove, like heat-sealed hard plastic. This protects your product during shipping, whether from warehouse to store or from store to home for your consumer. But once that protective packaging is removed, it should be smooth sailing. Again, we are faced with a balancing act of security and ease of use while also throwing in curb appeal. Putting all of these elements together is the equation for successful packaging design.
Effective packaging design is a mix of several essential elements. There are so many factors to consider, and none are minor. Your packaging should be secure but easy to access and appealing to show your consumer what your business is about. There are things you might not even consider when you’re getting your packaging together. Some experts can help you determine precisely what your product needs. IFS is an industry-leading co-packing company. Putting together years of experience, top-of-the-line technology, and facilities, IFS is here to assist you with any packaging needs.
About IFS as a 3PL
Impact Fulfillment Services is a top 3PL that offers everything your company could need. Our facilities are state-of-the-art, and our process is entirely streamlined. From fulfillment to distribution and warehousing, IFS has the experience and tools to keep your product safe and up to industry standards. IFS documents every detail of production and packaging, so no corners are cut. Our use of primary and secondary packaging ensures that your product is safe and as eye-catching as possible when it hits the shelves. With all the best technology and finely trained teams, IFS is a 3PL you can count on.
To learn more about our 3PL services, speak to a specialist!
#impactfs #supplychain #copacking #co-packing #impactyourbrand
by ifs_admin | Co-Packing
There’s no doubt you’ve been in a grocery store or a warehouse club and seen a big point of purchase display for paper towels or chips just before you get to the register. These big, eye-catching displays draw the consumer in, even if it wasn’t what they were looking for. These displays are called point of purchase (or POP) displays. POP displays are designed to drive sales of a specific product and brand. They are a clever marketing strategy that puts products front and center outside of their regular retail space.
Types of POP Displays
There are a few ways to set up a point of purchase display. The most common is the free-standing displays with big signage and plenty of products. There are more subtle POP displays, like shelf stoppers. These are aisle end caps that use pre-existing shelf space for just one product. A POP can also consist of a smaller display that relies on promotional signage over an abundance of products.
POP displays can also be digital in certain spaces. If a store or retail space is properly equipped, a POP display can easily be presented on a screen. This can be as simple as a short reel or commercial with a shelf or two of the promoted product.
Each type of POP has its benefits. The right kind of POP display depends on the product and retail space.
POP Permanence
Some POP displays last longer than others. We’re all familiar with those big stadiums made of soda cans that pop up around Super Bowl time. Those are prime examples of temporary displays because they only last a few weeks. A semi-permanent lasts a few months, things like s’more supplies in the summertime. Permanent POP displays are exactly what they sound like. These displays are fixtures in the store and last for years. Think of these as an extension of the aisle you can normally find the display product.
The Importance of POP Displays
A POP display is all about driving sales and creating awareness. They’re the perfect way of getting your product to stand out by having it stand alone. Because of the typical location of POP displays, the products they are promoting are hard to miss. This gets your product in front of everyone who enters the store. That means that those who are brand loyal have easier access, and those who have never tried your product have the perfect opportunity to do so. POP displays make it as easy as possible for anyone to engage with your product.
Point of Purchase displays are simple but extremely effective as marketing tactics. There’s no easier way to get people to engage in your product than putting it in an unavoidable line of sight. Depending on the location, your product could be the first thing people see when they enter and the last thing they see before checkout. It is hard to imagine a marketing tactic that requires so little effort but nets such wonderful results in boosting purchasing numbers.
Point of Purchase Displays with IFS
IFS is one of the most comprehensive contract packaging entities out there. Not only does IFS handle primary and secondary packaging, but POP displays as well. With IFS, your product will be taken care of from production to POP, in expert hands every step of the way. You can bet that your POP display is being handled and designed in a way that will optimize consumer interaction. Point of purchase displays are invaluable to product and brand promotion. Rather than trying to learn all of the POP display best practices, let the masters at IFS take care of it for you.
About IFS as a 3PL
Impact Fulfillment Services is a top 3PL that offers everything your company could need. Our facilities are state of the art and our process is completely streamlined. From fulfillment to distribution, and warehousing in between, IFS has the experience and tools to keep your product safe and up to industry standards. IFS documents every detail of production and packaging, so no corners are cut. Our use of primary and secondary packaging ensures that your product is not only safe but that it is as eye-catching as possible when it hits the shelves. With all the best technology and finely trained teams, IFS is a 3PL you can count on.
To learn more about our 3PL services, speak to a specialist!
#impactfs #supplychain #copacking #co-packing #impactyourbrand
by ifs_admin | Co-Packing
Contract packaging services can help companies with a wide array of assistance. Companies of all specialties and sizes reach out to co-packing companies when they need help getting their products to market, fast and in bulk. Just like any business, not all co-packing companies offer the same services. A lot goes into third-party logistics. If you are considering partnering with a contract packaging company, there are a few things to consider first. Along with your own needs, it’s important for you to know some of the finer points of co-packing. A better understanding of what contract packaging services can offer you will help you decide if it’s right for you.
Primary and Secondary Packaging
Under the umbrella of contract packaging services, two of the biggest categories are primary and secondary packaging. One is for the safety of the product while the other is more to do with branding and aesthetic while sometimes lending itself to utility.
Primary packaging is the first thing that goes on the product and the last thing that comes off. Prime examples of primary packaging include the tubes that contain cosmetics like lipstick and mascara. The primary packaging of a product usually holds the brand name and logo. Everything from the bottles that hold vitamins to the aluminum can that carries your favorite soda is primary packaging.
Secondary packaging has more to do with bundling and transportation. This contract packaging service helps get bulk products from warehouse to store. Shrinkwrap, cardboard boxes, and plastic ties are all elements of secondary packaging. Secondary packaging is about protecting the primary packaging and product during transit. Secondary packaging also sometimes lends itself to branding. If you take a look at the cosmetics aisle in any store you’ll see rows of products that have primary and secondary packaging. A tube of mascara wrapped in plastic and cardboard with brand and product information has secondary packaging.
Not all products require secondary packaging, which could be why not all companies offer this contract packaging service. While these are two important elements of a co-packing company, the right company will do even more.
Fulfillment and Distribution
Finding a co-packing company that goes the extra mile can be a game-changer. Some co-packers will only pack and store your product. These are vital services but are kind of the baseline for contract packaging services. A top-tier co-packing company will help your company with the fulfillment and distribution of your product. Orders will go straight to the warehouse, completed, and shipped out.
Using a reliable third-party logistic, or 3PL will be an investment in your company’s future. Bringing on the right co-packing company will put the creation, packaging, and distribution of your product in professional hands.
The Right Partner
Not every co-packing company is a one-stop-shop when it comes to services. Some offer cherry-pick services or simply don’t have the space or experience to do it all. But Impact Fulfillment Services really does do it all.
Impact Fulfillment Services (IFS) offers everything under the contract packaging services umbrella. With top-of-the-line facilities, highly trained staff, and a detailed system that keeps track of every step of the co-packing process, IFS guarantees that no corners will be cut. By trusting IFS with your product it will hit the market safely and look better than ever.
Contract packaging services cover a lot of things and take a lot of stress off of your company—if you find the right partner. Deciding whether your company is ready for a co-packer can be a big step. There are a lot of things to consider internally before even exploring co-packing options.
If you are wondering whether or not contract packaging is right for you, get in touch with the IFS team.
About IFS as a 3PL
Impact Fulfillment Services is a top 3PL that offers everything your company could need. Our facilities are state of the art and our process is completely streamlined. From fulfillment to distribution, and warehousing in between, IFS has the experience and tools to keep your product safe and up to industry standards. IFS documents every detail of production and packaging, so no corners are cut. Our use of primary and secondary packaging ensures that your product is not only safe but that it is as eye-catching as possible when it hits the shelves. With all the best technology and finely trained teams, IFS is a 3PL you can count on.
To learn more about our 3PL services, speak to a specialist!
#impactfs #supplychain #copacking #co-packing #impactyourbrand
by ifs_admin | Transportation & Logistics
There is a lot that goes into running a business, and third-party logistics companies can help. In any given business, you’re concerned with creating a product, distributing, and marketing it – on top of so many other factors. Taking all of those tasks on your own is a lot for any operation. That’s where a third-party logistic provider comes in.
A third-party logistics provider, or 3PL, is a commonly used outsourcing resource. These are companies and businesses that assist in aspects of packing like fulfillment, storage, and even distribution. 3PLs are most useful to companies that are looking to boost their productivity. Entrusting the more time-consuming elements of a business to a 3PL opens up time for development, marketing, networking, and more.
The Advantages of Third-Party Logistics
Using a third-party logistics company is a big step but comes with huge advantages. Partnering with a 3PL is just like partnering with a new investor or designer. This kind of partnership is something you’ll need to think long and hard on, and of course, there will be some number crunching, but it will be a sound investment in the long run. Finding the 3PL that fits your business’s needs and offers the growth you need will be worth it.
Rather than shouldering the entire burden of your business on your own, consider outsourcing. Odds are you aren’t in the packaging business yourself if you’re considering a third-party logistics service provider. Even if you have an established system that’s been working for you, it’s almost certain that a 3PL will be able to do it better. Bringing a 3PL into your program is like trusting a graphic design firm to create your company’s logo or an architecture firm to design your new office building. Put the packaging, distribution, and fulfillment of your products in the hands of professionals.
3PLs are in the business of keeping your products safe and getting them to market. Your business means a lot to you, and once you bring on a 3PL your business is their business. If you pick the right company, your product will be treated with as much care as you could offer yourself but on a bigger scale. Keep that in mind when you’re considering bringing on production help.
Finding a third-party logistics company means more hands, finer tuned processes across the board, and facilities designed for getting products out into the world safely. A 3PL provider will act as another arm of your business, without you having to oversee things daily. Depending on the 3PL your level of involvement in the process can be anything from facility visits to monthly email updates on progress. You will get out of a 3PL which would be impossible to do on your own.
No matter the nature of your business a third-party logistics service provider can help. With the help of a 3PL, you will send a more polished and well-put-together product to your consumer, and in greater numbers. Only by partnering with a 3PL can your company reach those new heights and truly expand its reach. Bringing on a 3PL to your operation will truly take your company to an entirely new level.
About IFS as a 3PL
Impact Fulfillment Services is a top 3PL that offers everything your company could need. Our facilities are state of the art and our process is completely streamlined. From fulfillment to distribution, and warehousing in between, IFS has the experience and tools to keep your product safe and up to industry standards. IFS documents every detail of production and packaging, so no corners are cut. Our use of primary and secondary packaging ensures that your product is not only safe but that it is as eye-catching as possible when it hits the shelves. With all the best technology and finely trained teams, IFS is a 3PL you can count on.
To learn more about our 3PL services, speak to a specialist!
#impactfs #supplychain #copacking #co-packing #impactyourbrand
