Contract Packaging Solutions

Primary Packaging

Primary packaging is the first thing that happens after the product is complete. It is the box the dog treats come in, the tube that holds the mascara. Primary packaging is what the consumer will put their hands on when they are using whatever that product might be.

The primary packaging of a product is what keeps it safe. It is the first thing that goes on and the last line of defense. Primary packaging will determine how useful a product is in the end. If the packaging is defective it puts your product at risk. Having solid primary packaging is important to the integrity of your product and your brand.

Brand and branding are key parts of the importance of primary packaging. Making sure your product looks presentable is huge in driving sales and getting your brand across. You want to make sure your logo is clearly presented, and your packaging is neat. If you display a disheveled product to the masses, that will be part of your brand.

Having a polished product out on the market is the best way to build up your reputation. A well-placed logo is quick and easy advertising. It doesn’t take a marketing team to know that effective branding is crucial to driving business. If done properly, primary packaging can build your brand just as well as other typical marketing strategies.

Secondary Packaging

Secondary packaging is the sort of packaging you are more likely to see in a bulk store like Costco or Sam’s Club. This is the form of packaging that binds things together. For example, in a bundle of a dozen paper reams the primary packaging is the wrapper and the secondary is the plastic tie keeping them in stacks of two and the box holding them all together.

While you would still want your secondary packaging to look presentable, that’s not its primary function. It is about efficiency over all else. Keeping products together so they can be safely transported from warehouse to seller.

The process of secondary packaging is the last step before shipping. That makes it that much more important. Co-packers who deal in secondary packaging, like Ryder, have to make sure their packaging team is equipped and ready for the process. This is the final step that will make or break your product in transit.

Nearly every product will need secondary packaging of some kind. Just for transportation, tubes of toothpaste and deodorant containers need to be packaged into larger distribution boxes. Some products, like those that are connected by plastic rings, keep their secondary packaging at the store. However, something like boxes of soap would be packed en masse and then unpacked in the store.

Secondary packaging gives way to heavy-duty cardboard over delicate branded wrappers. Proper secondary packaging is extra assurance that your goods will reach the market unscathed.

A private label is also a fulfillment entity. But the big difference here is ownership. While a co-packer distributes your recipe under your name, a private label will distribute their product under your name. A private label is perhaps better suited for a company looking to create something but in need of more help.

As you can see from this overview, there are a few distinct differences. But let’s explore a bit further the differences between the two.

Services

Both a co-packer and a private label will yield a finished product, but there are few more things to consider. A private label will work with your brand to create a formula for your product and then package it for you. They will assist in the development of the product, the branding, and the packaging. However, there is no promise of exclusivity when it comes to private labeling. The private label owns the recipe or formula, which means they can do with it as they please.

A co-packer’s services are more varied, depending on the company. At the heart of it, a co-packer will package and distribute your product. Pretty cut and dry. But there are co-packers, like Ryder, who will do more than just bundle up your goods. At Ryder we offer our clients a myriad of services including design, fulfillment, distribution, reverse logistics, and much more. Our mission is to provide a single-source provider that can meet the ever-changing end-market demand. Our primary pack and secondary pack designs/solutions can be as simple as a shrink bundle for eCommerce compliance, all the way through developing packaging designs to achieve a high-end unboxing experience. Whatever your needs are, from the individual consumer, through reaching the masses via point of purchase displays and “moment of truth” packaging, Ryder can service all your needs.

Even within the confines of private label versus co-packer, there are different levels. If you have a product that needs a little work in branding, primary and secondary packaging is for you. If you just want fulfillment of your product, pursue general co-packing. If you have an idea but no clear place to start, reach out to a private labeling company.

Pricing

Pricing exists on a sliding scale. A private labeler does everything from start to finish, so their pricing will likely cover more services. With a co-packer, there are more options.

Private labeling will connect you with a team of professionals who will help you formulate, develop, test, design, and ship a polished product. Because their hands are on every aspect of the process, the potential for higher costs is greater. There is also no overhead by completely outsourcing.

When it comes to co-packing pricing, there is some overlap with what you’ll be paying for. You will save on overhead, you’ll be paying for packaging, distribution, and storage. But, unless you opt for a secondary packaging specialist, there will be less to pay for. Co-packers do a lot, but because you’ve already done a good chunk of the work by creating your product costs will likely be less.

These, of course, are broader statements about pricing, and your own research and cost comparisons should be done. Pricing will vary from co-packer to co-packer, as they will from private label to private label.

What is co-packaging (or contract packaging)?

Co-packers come in all shapes and sizes and can accommodate anything from personal health and beauty items to in-home Covid test kits. These companies specialize in ramping up the production of your product, launching the said product, and generally getting everything ready for consumption.

The purpose of bringing on a co-packer is to free up your time and attention so that the rest of your company can flourish. With the pressure of keeping up with or getting ahead of demand off your plate, you’ll be able to work on things like branding, upgrading marketing strategies, and finding new locations and vendors to increase sales.

The Benefits of Contract Packaging

By implementing co-packing services, companies are afforded an easier way to get their product out en masse. Co-packers will help companies not just with the production of goods but also with driving sales by meeting fulfillment deadlines. They are the key to keeping your products on the shelves even after they have sold out the first time around.

Instead of being responsible for all the leg work required of couriering your own goods to retailers, a co-packer will handle that for you. Depending on your contract and the co-packer you’re working with, fulfillment can extend all the way to delivering to the retail store.

Co-packers can all but eliminate the need for finding additional facilities on your own. For food manufacturers, there is the issue of finding kitchen space, room for storage, space to package, and all the other steps it takes to mass-produce the perfect chocolate chip cookie or piece of beef jerky. Most co-packers offer storage services along with providing fulfillment and packaging. By outsourcing, companies will have every step of production and distribution handled under one roof rather than shifting locations based on assembly progress.

Bringing on a more professional touch for all of your packaging needs will bring a new feel to your products. If having a home-made quality to your goods is integral to your brand, partnering with a co-packer will give you the opportunity to refine the look but maintain that value. In short, you’ll have more options for your company’s aesthetic direction.

If you find the right co-packer, they might even be able to help with the design of the actual product. These teams can be instrumental in streamlining the entire process and cutting down on waste.

It’s hard, nearly impossible, for any small business to become a one-stop-shop on their own—that’s where a good co-packer can come in handy. There are a few ways to take your business to the next level, using a co-packer is one of the most efficient.

Who co-packs?

Companies that have been on the rise might find the need to take their operation out of their test kitchens or rented space and into a more substantial facility. A smaller team looking to expand would have the option of bringing on more hands and finding a bigger space or simply finding a co-packer to lighten the load.

Ryder specializes in co-packaging for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics businesses. Our company is dedicated to fulfilling orders with quality that goes above and beyond our clients’ expectations.

Those who partner with Ryder are guaranteed a flawless transition from their in-home operation to a grander scale. An experienced co-packing company can provide businesses with specialized packing (blister and RF sealing, re-labeling, shrink wrapping, Point of Purchase Displays, PDQ Trays, etc.), top-tier production teams, and client communication beyond compare.

Are you ready for a co-packer?

If things have been steadily on the rise for your company and demand is beginning to eclipse the other aspects of business, it might be time to consider a co-packer. But before you do, there are a couple of things that need to be considered. Outsourcing is a big step to take. It requires a lot of conversation and evaluation within the company.

Before you go forth and pursue a co-packer ask yourself if:

You have the revenue, your product is as fine-tuned as possible, the demand is there, you’re ready to take this next rather large step. A co-packer will take what you’ve got and run with it, which means that all of the instructions come down to you. Co-packers will need to know exactly the steps, materials, and time it will take to create your product time after time without fail. If you don’t have your system down pat, they certainly won’t.

While a co-packer can save you a ton of time, there are costs attached to outsourcing. This kind of growth doesn’t come cheap but knowing exactly what you’ll sink into a co-packer and what you can make from that boom in products is a cost evaluation that must be done.

Certainty about whether demand for your product is enough to handle a minimum volume of 200+ units is a question any business seeking a co-packer should consider. If your demand is stalling or even beginning to decline, a co-packer will not turn things around and could leave you with more products than can be moved.