- Article
3 important value-creating aspects when choosing a packaging materials supplier
Brands across the world are currently reevaluating their packaging strategies in the face of rising transport costs, stricter sustainability demands and upcoming legislation. For many, this will include a transition to more renewable materials, which in turn will necessitate finding new suppliers. This article aims to give a brief introduction to some of the value-creating factors that brand owners should consider in order to get the maximum benefit from a new materials supplier partnership.
Proven innovation capabilities
A packaging material should help protect the product, appeal to customers’ senses and have minimal environmental impact – at a reasonable price. But rather than evaluating these qualities in isolation, brand owners should look for suppliers that take a holistic view of the entire packaging solution, both when it comes to their own needs, but also the needs of the converter and the end users. A good materials supplier should be able to give advice and help develop innovative packaging solutions that add value by being stronger, lighter, more appealing and more sustainable than alternative solutions. This takes creativity, expertise, and above all: the experience to know what works and what doesn’t – which can only come from a true track record of commercialized projects. Brand owners should therefore make sure that their chosen supplier not only ticks the boxes in terms of the quality of the materials it provides. The supplier should also offer proven know-how, technology and the facilities to provide service and support at every stage of the packaging development process – from the initial design and materials assessment phases and all the way to prototyping, testing and simulations in real-world conditions. In other words, that the supplier knows that having a development process that facilitates, looks out for and encourages innovation, is essential to maximizing value.
Readily available technical & supply-chain support
The second aspect to consider is that of daily operations. Can the prospective packaging materials supplier add value as a partner and not only as a supplier? Let’s take the production phase as an example. Here, hands-on technical consulting services that help ensure that the delivered paper or board runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible during conversion, can pay tremendous dividends. Both in the form of increased output and through savings in time, materials and waste. Good supply-chain support in the form of tailor-made delivery models, logistics services and prompt personal service is another must for smooth, profitable operations. A strong and proven supply capacity with high delivery precision is yet another factor that all-too often gets overlooked but should be a make-or-break consideration.
Knowledge transfer
Developing value-adding packaging solutions takes cooperation. That’s why it’s important to make sure that the materials supplier has a structured approach to transferring know-how and promoting cooperation between brand owner and converter. That way, all partners involved become more knowledgeable and an environment where everyone can learn from each other is fostered. This leads to more efficient development processes and ultimately more efficient and better performing packaging solutions.
Click below to know more about how partnering with Billerud can help you achieve a “1+1=3 effect” and get more value from your packaging.
