While the costs associated with packaging automation may seem daunting, you may be surprised by how quickly machines can eventually pay for themselves, and then some. With the right strategies in place, an automated packaging process can have a big impact on your financials.

As a forward-thinking company with your eyes set on growth, you’re likely assessing every factor that drives your revenue and bottom line. Every year, you’re brainstorming ways to improve in the coming year, and that should include your packaging design.

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.

We talk a lot about the various types of product packaging; from materials to design and other ways to make your products stand out for your customers in the retail markets. But why is packaging itself important?

If you’ve ever gone through the packaging development process, you know how many variables and unknowns there are to coordinate. Your project can quickly spiral out of control and result in missed deadlines and exceeding your budget. You may also have to hit the drawing board more than a few times to solve problems that inevitably arise. And these are exacerbated when you fail to include all relevant teams and align your perspective to the same goal(s).

The majority of segments in the United States’ core economy expanded in 2017, but the growth isn’t expected to stop this year. Anirban Basu, Chief Economist of the Associated Builders and Contractors, indicates that the U.S. economy is set up for continued growth in 2018. The agriculture and food production sector is specifically growing due to rising real wages, low unemployment, low inflation, low interest rates, a rising stock market, and low commodity prices. With surging demand for food, these manufacturers are faced with substantial opportunity to carve out greater market share. Sticking with the status quo won’t propel your business further, however. The majority of food production companies stand to better engage consumers with revamped packaging. Especially if your food packaging is lagging behind the latest trends, the time is now to redesign your product presentation and make the most out of this ripe economy.