Επιλογή ενός Copacker

Αυτή η συσκευάζοντας άκρη είναι ένα απόσπασμα από «την επιλογή και τη χρησιμοποίηση ενός Copacker» από John E. Να ορμήξει, Ph.D. Δημοσιεύεται από το κρατικό πανεπιστήμιο της βόρειας Καρολίνας.

Κρατικού πανεπιστημίου της βόρειας Καρολίνας Τμήμα επιστήμης τροφίμων τάξεις μεταξύ των κορυφαίων τμημάτων επιστήμης τροφίμων στη χώρα. Αυτή η αναγνώριση είναι το αποτέλεσμα της τελειότητας που επιτυγχάνεται σε όλους τους τομείς της αποστολής του πανεπιστημίου: να διδάξει, έρευνα, και επέκταση.

Προτού να επισκεφτείτε το copacker

Πρίν επιλέγει ένα copacker, κάνετε την εργασία σας. Πρέπει να έχετε την επιχείρηση και τα σχέδια μάρκετινγκ σε ισχύ που περιγράφουν τις ανάγκες προϊόντων σας ταξινομούν από άποψη και τύπος εμπορευματοκιβωτίου, αριθμός μονάδων ανά δεδομένη περίοδο, τιμή στον αγοραστή και τιμή πωλήσεων. Το κέντρο τεχνολογίας και ανάπτυξης μικρών επιχειρήσεων μπορεί να είναι βοήθειας. Πάρτε την τεχνική βοήθεια από ένα πανεπιστήμιο, έναν σύμβουλο ή ένα εργαστήριο δοκιμής για να καθορίσετε τις ανάγκες για τη σταθερότητα και την ασφάλεια προϊόντων.

Μόλις καθιερώσετε τις πληροφορίες προϊόντων, γράψτε τις οδηγίες προετοιμασιών και διαδικασίας. Γράψτε τις προδιαγραφές για τα συστατικά, τα υλικά συσκευασίας, τη ρυθμιστική συμμόρφωση, και το ολοκληρωμένο προϊόν.

Προετοιμάστε έναν πίνακα ελέγχου των αναγκών που έχετε από το copacker.

• Θα απαιτήσετε τη Βοήθεια για την Ανάπτυξη προϊόντων όπως οι προσδιορισμοί, ο χρωματισμός, οι σταθεροποιητές και οι γαλακτωματοποιητές, ή τα συντηρητικά ασφάλειας;
• Αυτό που είναι πρόσθετες ανησυχίες προϊόντων όπως οξύτητα, θερμική διαδικασία, κατεψυγμένα συστατικά, κατεψυγμένη αποθήκευση προϊόντων;
• Υπάρχουν πρόσθετες ανησυχίες συστατικών;
• Το προϊόν θα απαιτήσει την εξειδικευμένο ποικιλία συστατικών από άποψη, τη λειτουργία, ή το μέγεθος κομματιού;
• Προετοιμασία συστατικών όπως το onsite που τεμαχίζει, ξεφλούδισμα, εκπυρήνωση, ή γλυκασμός είναι απαραίτητος;
• Μπορούν τα συστατικά να είναι αγορασμένα έτοιμα προς χρήση;
• Υπάρχουν εναλλακτικές πηγές για τα εξειδικευμένα συστατικά;

Συσκεφτείτε με το μεταφορέα σας πληρεξούσιων και ασφάλειας. Τι αισθάνονται ότι πρέπει να απαιτήσετε από το copacker σας; Μια επίσκεψη θα είναι απαραίτητη για τους;

Θυμηθείτε, κλίμακα-επάνω της παραγωγής από την εγχώρια κουζίνα στις πρώτες εγκαταστάσεις η δοκιμή μπορεί να παραγάγει το ακατάλληλο προς πώληση ή ακατάλληλο προς χρήση προϊόν. Factors such as rate of heating, agitation during incorporation of ingredients, holding at high temperatures and pumping can affect ingredient functionality and product appearance. Adequate product development prior to the pilot run will minimize this, but unforeseen factors may still cause differences in product.

How will the final product be distributed? If it is to be shipped to a central warehouse, what requirements will you have for the copacker? Many companies are under mandatory solid waste reduction. Will the product be shipped in boxes or overwrapped trays? On which kind of pallet shall they be furnished? Should the boxes be overwrapped or glued to keep them on the pallet?

Will you need storage of ingredients, supplies, or finished products? Will you need the copacker to order or ship these materials? How much inventory will you need to have on hand?

Will the potential buyers of your product require that the food be manufactured under particular quality, safety, or certification systems such as HACCP, ISO 9000, Kosher or Halal? Do regulations require USDA compliance, or certification for low-acid canned foods or acidified foods? Is there mandatory HACCP compliance required? Is a third party audit required?

Using a Copacker

This packaging tip is an excerpt from “Choosing and Using a Copacker” by John E. Rushing, Ph.D. It is published by North Carolina State University.

North Carolina State University’s Department of Food Science ranks among the top food science departments in the country. This recognition is the result of excellence achieved in all areas of the university’s mission: teaching, research, and extension.

What is a copacker?

Copackers manufacture and package foods for other companies to sell. These products range from nationally-known brands to private labels. Entrepreneurs choose to use the services of copackers for many reasons. Copackers can provide entrepreneurs with a variety of services in addition to manufacturing and packaging products. They can often help in the formulation of the product. The copacker may function only as a packer of other people?s products or may be in business with his own product line. They may be, in fact, manufacturing several competing products. The range of services available from a copacker will vary depending on the size and experience of the copacker and the type of facilities and the capacity of their plant.

What are the advantages to using a copacker?

There are many advantages to using a copacker. The most obvious is to reduce startup costs for the food entrepreneur. Capital costs of equipment and facilities can be enormous. Using a copacker allows one to more accurately predict overhead costs due to manufacturing. Using a copacker can also reduce lead-time in getting a product to market. Choosing a copacker who already has processing lines in place almost makes manufacturing, packaging, and labeling a food product a matter of placing an order. The copacker may have experience with similar products which is transferable to the product you wish him to copack.

With established business, the copacker will usually have the proper regulatory certifications, lines of credit for purchasing supplies and ingredients, insurance, food industry contacts and sources to get the job done efficiently. They should be familiar with quality parameters, food safety requirements, and shipping needs. They will have the proper facilities for receiving and storing ingredients and can arrange storage of finished product. Some copackers will offer other services for entrepreneurs such as product stability testing, nutritional labeling, formulation assistance, ingredient substitution, and other product development services. In addition, they can offer suggestions on packaging and labeling the product, usually based on the types of filling, capping and labeling equipment in their facilities. They can direct you to professionals who can assist you in the design and marketing of your product. They usually offer the advantage of buying supplies and ingredients in bulk. They can arrange palleting and shipping to meet the needs of the buyer. costs due to manufacturing. Using a copacker can also reduce lead-time in getting a product to market. Choosing a copacker who already has processing lines in place almost makes manufacturing, packaging, and labeling a food product a matter of placing an order. The copacker may have experience with similar products which is transferable to the product you wish him to copack.

What types of obstacles might an entrepreneur face?

In addition to the above advantages for using a copacker, food entrepreneurs may face a variety of obstacles to manufacturing their own product. They may not possess the experience and expertise necessary to manufacture a food product. There may be zoning laws, which restrict certain business activities on the entrepreneur’s property. Loss of economies of scale for the entrepreneur may be such that the cost of the ingredients and packaging may be prohibitive.

Selecting A Contract Packager

Contract packagers (or co-packagers) can offer expert, cost-efficient, practical solutions to help you initiate, organize, streamline or improve your packaging or packaging operations.

The secret is finding a co-packager who can offer the specialized services you need. Here are some important points to consider when selecting a co-packaging service:

• Determine, as closely as possible, the nature and scope of the problem to be addressed, and the specific problem or task that you would like the co-packager to work on.
• Consult this website to find professional co-packagers with the specific expertise you need.
• Identify co-packagers with the expertise you require. Conduct a preliminary assessment of each of the most promising and appropriate candidates.
• If you have questions about a candidate’s background, call and ask questions. The key staff at a professional co-packaging service will be happy and proud to discuss the company’s qualifications to solve your problems, the staff’s professional experience, offer references, and supply any information needed to help you make your decision.
• Interview by phone or in person the most promising candidates to verify that their experience matches your needs.
• Find out if the candidate is an active, professional co-packager. Be sure to ask any question that might have a bering on a contract packager’s qualifications. What types of projects has the company worked on in the past? How long has the company been in operation? How big is the company? What size company does the contract packager most frequently work with? How are fees typically determined? How many of the contract packager’s accounts are repeat business? Is it a member of and active in the Contract Packaging Association?
• Meet the key staff. Make sure you are introduced to the quality control and operations people. The managerial and supervisory staff should have extensive experience in your industry with an understanding of your markets and a strong engineering background. The co-packager also should have training records for inspection by a prospective customer for the asking.
• Visit the facility to check out the housekeeping. A co-packager should be agreeable to letting you view the premises unless it would violate a confidentiality agreement.
• Once you’ve finished the interviewing process, request project proposals from the contract packagers whom you are seriously considering hiring. Make sure the final proposal(s) contain well-defined “Scope of Work,” “Services to be Provided,” and “Description of Fees” or “Fee Schedule” sections.
• Consider what is not in the proposals as well as what is: production rates, number of shifts, penalties for order changes or cancellation, storage for raw materials and finished product, and so forth.
• Resist the temptation to base your decision on price alone. A co-packager should ultimately act as an extension of your business. Often, what appears at first to be a more expensive contract packaging service will more than make up for the difference in the fees by saving you more money and solving your specific problems more efficiently.
• After you’ve fine-tuned details and reached an agreement on the co-packager’s proposal (particularly the “Scope of Work” section), sign a contract and/or issue an appropriate purchase order.
• Provide input, support and on-going interest to the co-packager thoughout the project. Bear in mind that you may be asking the contract packager to become familiar overnight with the knowledge of systems, technology and product quirks your company has had years to develop and work through.
• Be open to suggestions. Contract packagers are innovative, versatile and accustomed to efficiently working within narrow time frames. From experience, they often can suggest minor modifications that will save your company time and money.
• Be sure the co-packager knows and your organization understands that the contract packager is working for an executive within your company with sufficient authority to ensure that the contract packager has the full cooperation of everyone involved with the project.

If you are ready to hire a contract packager, please call us today!

Contract Packager Of The Year

The world?s largest snack food company recently presented Aaron Thomas Company their prestigious ?Contract Manufacturing Supplier of the Year? award. This recognition is due in part to our quality, reliability and leadership within their packaging supplier network.

Our packaging and manufacturing innovations were directly responsible for creating a new product category and our techniques were adopted throughout their co-packer supply chain.

This is the second time we have been honored by this significant client. A few years ago we were presented with their ?Multi-Packer of the Year? award. In a letter to Aaron Thomas it was noted that?

?Aaron Thomas earned the award by continuing to raise the bar on their own performance within the award categories. Aaron Thomas has a Year End Customer Complaint frequency of 0.4/mm. Reporting was accurate and timely and costs remained flat.?

We?d like to earn your highest honor as well. Call us today so that we can have to opportunity to shake your hand a year from now.

Outsourcing Your Packaging Is Good Business

In a recent article in Investors Business Daily, it was revealed that outsourcing has become more than just an easy way to cut costs. It has become a strategic tool that gives businesses flexibility and access to skilled personnel.

Since the advent of the Internet, and the rush to get online, companies have turned to outside professionals for services and solutions. Hiring a full-time IT technician is costly and not an efficient use of resources. Outsourcing allows companies to focus on their core businesses while gaining access to skilled labor when they need it.

• Outsourcing is a way to boost revenue
• Outsourcing is a way to cut costs
• Outsourcing eases labor shortages
• Outsourcing cuts payroll costs
• Outsourcing allows companies to focus on core competencies
• Outsourcing reduces or eliminates some capital expenditures
• Outsourcing also allows businesses to change their corporate culture. If companies have renegade groups that are costly, ineffective, or difficult to manage, that group can be outsourced. This enables employers to change their workplace environment on-the-fly.

Still, most companies outsource projects in order to reduce costs and to gain outside expertise. A survey by The Conference Board indicated the following “Top-10″ outsourcing objectives (numbers are approximate):

• Reduce Costs (40%)
• Access to Expertise (38%)
• Improve Internal Service (37%)
• Focus on Core Business (34%)
• Maximize Resources (27%)
• Internal Flexibility (25%)
• Improve External Service (24%)
• Changing Customer Needs (20%)
• World Class Standards (15%)
• Continuous Improvement (15%)

When deciding to outsource, the real litmus test is whether outsourcing adds value. Does it really reduce costs? Is the investment in in-house training and machinery too great? Does outsourcing a service give you access to people with greater skill sets or companies with more resources available to them?

Bottom line: outsourcing your packaging services is about more than just saving money. It is a strategic option for savvy businesses and entrepreneurs.