One question that we are often asked by managers from other companies is, “How do I know when it's time to look for help or outsource some of my supply chain”? Sometimes these questions are from a start-up company that has been operating out of their basement. Other times the question comes from a large company that is toying with the idea of a large expansion. As a specialist in supply chain dynamics, Industrial Packaging is uniquely positioned to help you understand when and why you should work with a third party to run your supply chain. Even if you do not choose us as your third-party supply chain vendor, we can help you to understand the protocols for this process. In this article, we will give you advice on how to approach this project.

When choosing a vendor for your packaging materials and machinery, you have many options to choose from. From original manufacturers (OEMs) to online storefronts like U-LINE, or buying from a distributor who works with multiple manufacturers. How do you know that you are getting the ideal product and service when it comes down to purchasing? With the various options available to you, who will serve your business best? Cards on the table, Industrial Packaging has been a packaging distributor for decades. However, this doesn't mean we are going to aim for deception. Sometimes a distributor isn't the right fit for your business. While this article will discuss why you can trust a packaging distributor, our goal is to help you determine if a distributor is a good fit for your needs.

You’ve probably heard the term Internet of Things (IoT), but what does this ubiquitous industry buzzword refer to, exactly? The IoT is the interconnectedness of everyday objects and machinery to the internet through computerization (microchips, sensors, etc.), enabling inanimate items to exchange data and communicate with other connected objects. Industry insiders are predicting that the IoT could change manufacturing as we know it by tracking and measuring every previously unquantified element of operations. Read on for everything you need to know about the IoT and packaging, including what’s trending now, how companies are innovating, and a predictive look forward.

There is a trend in packaging that is playing a growing role in the way that consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies operate. This fast rising trend is the shift towards consumer convenience. The packaging trends towards convenience for CPG companies are a key component to consumer satisfaction. In this article, we talk about how you can use this information to ensure your packaging is cost effective while delivering what the consumer wants.

There are many packaging companies out there, and like any industry, these businesses are not created equally. A standout can make a substantial imprint on the success of your product and your customers’ perception of your brand.

As a manufacturer or distributor of consumer packaged goods, your business faces many challenges. Seasonal swings in consumer demand and holiday promotional pushes require a flexible labor force and a flexible production floor. These swings cause fluctuating costs at different times of the year. Managing these ebbs and flows is only a small piece to the greater puzzle that makes up your production. Working with a contract packager to manage the packaging and distribution of your products can help you focus on what you do best while providing many other benefits that will improve how you do business. The following expands upon some of the ways that outsourcing your packaging processes can help you build your brand with more control while utilizing less capital to do so.