Market Insights | Page 8

There's no denying the value that engineers bring to businesses of all kinds. From a product's initial design to its final production, every step is overseen by skilled engineers. However, one often overlooked process that a packaging engineering and design team can bring an immense amount of value to is the packaging process.

Optimizing your packaging supply chain means balancing the cost of transportation against inventory holding costs while simultaneously ensuring 100% availability. Smaller, more frequent deliveries reduce inventory, but increase transportation costs. Maximizing shipment size drives down unit transport costs but needs a higher average level of inventory. (It may also increase the risk of stopping production due to a shortage of packaging material.)

 Sustainability and convenience are taking over packaging trends, and fruit and vegetable packaging are no exception. Companies are now striving to create products that fit consumer needs, rather than the other way around. People today are looking for products that can easily mold with their busy lifestyles and can be used on the go, while still maintaining a healthy and eco-friendly mindset.

Imagine having a leading-edge fulfillment department with experienced employees, state-of-the-art order management software, and endless warehouse space. Just as you are an expert in developing and selling your products, third party logistics companies specialize in inventory management, packaging, and shipping. It’s understandable that your product is precious to you, as it is the meat of your business, and leaving it in the hands of third-party fulfillment can be worrisome, but don’t let that fear prevent you from utilizing the most efficient processes and saving unnecessary costs.

The various types of beverage packaging span from bottles, cans, pouches, cartons and others. According to Market Research Reports, the demand for traditional beverage packaging, such as plastic closures and metal closures, are still in top demand with a slight advantage to plastic. However, new trends accompanying convenience, sustainability, and innovation are on the rise.

Today’s consumers want products that work for them instead of the other way around. They are thirsty for more progressive packaging, even if it means altering preconceived standards of beverage packages.

E-commerce can be a lucrative and successful business, but that success isn’t automatic. Like any other business venture, it is an evolving industry and there are still a lot of misconceptions out there about how your business should run. You may have a good system in place that has been working for years, but there are other processes out there that can introduce total cost optimization.

Are you looking for an alternative to typical packaging methods to increase efficiency? Look no further. The advantages of shrink film packaging create convenience, cut costs, and increase sustainability throughout the entire packaging life cycle.

Unlike in-person retailers, where merchants have many opportunities to connect and impact customers through displays, music, décor, and interaction, e-commerce retailers can sometimes be at a bit of a disadvantage. Without the physical storefront to impress, their most opportune chance to "wow" the customer is, in fact, when they receive their package.

Two of the best reasons to switch to packaging automation are increased production and decreased expenses. Consider this, when using packaging automation, you’re using fewer materials, which ensures a more effective application and removes the human error element of packaging.

Sound good, but don't know where to start?

First off, the solution needs to be attainable and easy to upgrade. Eventually your market will grow so you’ll want to be capable of running future products at the future speed to meet those demands. This also enables your operators to quickly adapt and change to new products, therefore spending less time on training.

Now more than ever individuals are seeking elements such as convenience and dietary awareness when choosing the right product for their family or themselves. Single-serve packaging allows consumers to stock up on their favorite snacks and products and use them on the go. Since portion and calorie control are much easier for on-the-go consumers to calculate, single-serve food products provide the health and wellness many are looking for with the added benefit of convenience.