Leading Contract Packaging Companies

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Contract packaging, also known as co-packing, serves a wide range of industries, each with its unique needs and advantages. In the food and beverage sector, co-packing is essential for the efficient and dependable packaging of products.

Applications

Contract packagers bring expertise to tasks such as labeling, sorting, bundling, and assembly. They ensure that products are packaged according to detailed requirements and regulatory standards. This expertise is especially critical for perishable items and products with limited shelf lives, where precise packaging is essential for preserving quality and extending longevity.

In the pharmaceutical industry, contract packaging plays a crucial role in packaging medications and medical devices. Contract packagers follow strict guidelines and regulations to ensure products are securely packaged, preserving their integrity and safeguarding patient safety. They utilize advanced quality control measures to prevent contamination and ensure precise labeling, allowing pharmaceutical companies to meet regulatory standards while concentrating on their core strengths like research and development.

Contract packaging is widely utilized in the consumer goods industry, covering products like cosmetics and personal care items. In this sector, packaging serves both functional purposes and plays a vital role in brand identity and consumer appeal. Contract packagers, skilled in specialized packaging materials and techniques, assist businesses in creating eye-catching and unique packaging designs that align with their brand image and attract consumers.

In the consumer goods industry, contract packaging is extensively used for products like cosmetics and personal care items. Here, packaging fulfills functional roles while also being crucial for brand identity and consumer appeal. Skilled contract packagers, proficient in specialized materials and techniques, help businesses develop striking and unique packaging designs that reflect their brand image and draw in consumers.

Overall, contract packaging serves as a cornerstone across various industries, equipping businesses with the expertise and resources needed for efficient, compliant, and attractive packaging. By partnering with contract packagers, we can streamline operations, uphold product quality, and elevate brand image, ultimately boosting customer satisfaction and achieving business success.

Products Produced

Some common packaging products produced during contract packaging include blister packs, clamshells, pouches, food containers, shrink wrap, cartons, and various wrapping solutions.

Packaging solutions, like those mentioned above, fall into three main categories: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Some companies might require all three types for their products, while others may need just one or a combination of two.

Primary Packaging

Primary packaging refers to the packaging that directly contacts the product. Sometimes, there might be additional packaging around it, or the primary packaging might stand alone. For example, if they place a food product in a jar, the jar serves as the primary packaging because it directly contacts the food.

Secondary Packaging

Secondary packaging consists of additional layers that surround the primary packaging, offering extra protection to the product inside. Materials such as cardboard, foam, and paper are common forms of secondary packaging. For instance, imagine placing several jars of food into a single box; that box serves as the secondary packaging.

Tertiary Packaging

Tertiary packaging is what companies utilize for handling materials in bulk, particularly for shipping and storage in warehouses. Examples of tertiary packaging include wooden pallets and shrink wrap. To revisit the jar example, once the jars are packed into boxes, they might shrink wrap those boxes together. In this case, the shrink wrap serves as the tertiary packaging. Additionally, if the boxes are stored on a warehouse pallet, the pallet can also be considered part of the tertiary packaging.

Contract Packaging – Jonco Industries, Inc.

History

It’s true that packaging has existed in some form since the beginning of bartering and the exchange of goods. However, the type of packaging we recognize today, predominantly made of plastics, only began to fully develop in the late 1900s.

Early modern packaging utilized tinplate through a process known as tinning, originating in Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic). In 1667, English engineer Andrew Yarranton introduced this method to England. By 1725, merchants were distributing tinplate boxes from ports in the Bristol Channel. By 1805, British manufacturers were producing approximately 80,000 tinplates and exporting 50,000 of them.

In the early 1800s, French inventor Nicholas Appert recognized the significance of airtight containers for preserving food. This innovation sparked further advancements, and in 1810, Peter Durand patented the canning process. Just two years later, Durand sold his patent, leading to the establishment of the world’s first canning factory in London.

The commercial production of the first corrugated box began in England in 1817, even though corrugated paper didn’t get patented until 1856. By the late 1800s, paper-based packaging gained popularity. In 1890, Scottish-American Robert Gair revolutionized the industry by inventing pre-cut paperboard.

Many of the greatest motivators for packaging innovation in the 1900s were driven by the numerous wars. During World War II, for instance, manufacturers had to develop improved methods for delivering food rations and weapons to the military overseas. Additionally, they needed to create packaging techniques that would keep these commodities both safe and secure while also being easy to access when required. As a consequence of the packaging challenges faced during World War II, the U.S. established packaging-related mil-spec regulations.

There isn’t a single inventor of contract manufacturing; it’s a practice that evolved gradually. For instance, in 1952, Michigan State University introduced the first Packaging Engineering degree. Within five years, they expanded this initiative by establishing the MSU School of Packaging.

Since the 1980s, we’ve seen contract packaging companies shift their focus to crafting packaging from post-consumer recycled materials, such as aluminum and paper. This change has been driven by government regulations and the active participation of the public through curbside recycling and other initiatives.

In 1992, contract manufacturers across the United States united to establish the Contract Packaging Association (CPA). This national non-profit trade organization cemented the role of contract packaging in the industrial landscape. Since 2008, the industry has doubled in size, further validating its significance.

Materials Process

Before anything else, we must select the right material for packaging. Some of the most popular choices are plastics, known for their lightweight and durable properties. Commonly used plastics include HDPE, LDPE, and PET.

HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)

HDPE is a robust plastic commonly used for creating primary packaging, such as bottles and food storage containers. It boasts resistance to corrosion and chemicals, remarkable strength, the ability to withstand relatively high temperatures, and it is also recyclable.

LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)

LDPE, a thermoplastic akin to HDPE, is commonly used for primary and secondary product packaging, such as juice cartons, milk cartons, and plastic wrap. Known for its flexibility and corrosion resistance, LDPE is also recyclable, though it is not recycled as frequently as it could be.

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

Commonly known as polyester, PET, or PETE, this thermoplastic is remarkably sturdy. We frequently use it for both primary and secondary packaging, such as bottles and flexible food packaging.

Manufacturers often utilize paperboard and fiberboard for both primary and secondary packaging. Additionally, they sometimes opt for glass and metals such as aluminum and aluminum foil.

Paperboard

Paperboard, also known as cardboard, is a thick, paper-based material that is lightweight, strong, and easy to cut. Often crafted into cartons and boxes, paperboard products can be used as either primary or secondary packaging, depending on the application.

Fiberboard

The term “fiberboard” usually describes a wood product crafted from wood fibers. In the context of packaging, it can also mean corrugated fiberboard used for boxes, which is a paperboard product. Regardless of its form, fiberboard is strong, rigid, and resistant to tears, bending, crushing, and impact. In packaging, fiberboard is commonly used for secondary packaging.

Glass

Glass is a fascinating non-crystalline amorphous solid. Transparent and versatile, it comes in various thicknesses, refraction indexes, impact resistance levels, and tensile strengths. We can modify it to enhance its chemical and corrosion resistance. Generally, glass is quite inert, making it an ideal choice for packaging. In contract packaging, we use glass to craft primary packaging products such as jars and bottles.

Aluminum

Aluminum is an element and a non-ferrous metal, celebrated for its leak resistance, corrosion resistance, and excellent ability to retain both cold and heat. In packaging, it is primarily used to create aluminum foil, cans, and containers.

Aluminum Foil

Aluminum foil, crafted from aluminum, serves as an essential form of primary packaging. It ensures the safety of food and other goods by protecting them from external elements. These elements include moisture, sunlight, dirt, and various contaminants.

Service Details and Design

The journey in contract packaging services starts with categorizing the package type. They analyze whether our clients require primary, secondary, or tertiary packaging solutions.

Next, they dive into the specific needs and requirements of the application. These considerations include marketing, shelf life, quality assurance, packaging regulations, labeling and graphic design, application environment, end-use, child safety regulations, packaging job volume, budget, and timelines. Based on these factors, they make informed decisions on crucial details such as packaging material, design, size, and labels. Often, they employ CAD, document automation, and rapid prototyping to design the packaging effectively.

Once they decide on the details, they begin packaging the product. Common packaging processes include plastic molding, heat sealing, and vacuum sealing.

After completing the initial packaging processes, contract packagers move on to customization. Typical customization services include labeling and graphic design. Many contract packagers have in-house graphic design services to create attractive labels that make the product more appealing to customers. To design the best labels, contract packagers consider factors such as cost, usability, material, and aesthetics.

One of the crucial steps in manufacturing is the packaging of products. Ensuring the packaging is secure, particularly during shipping, is paramount. For specialized items like medical devices or pharmaceuticals, the packaging must adhere to industry standards and regulations. Many companies seek custom packaging designs from their contract packagers to ensure their packaging meets the specific needs of their products and customers.

Most contract packaging operations offer their customers innovative solutions for product storage and shipping. They handle bulk storage, package the products, label them with the necessary information, and ship the packaged goods to retail outlets.

Machinery Used

To correctly package products and commodities, contract packagers utilize a wide variety of machines and tools. Common equipment includes plastic molding machines, heat seal automated machines, form-fill-seal machines, vacuum packaging machinery, and label dispensers.

Plastic Molding Equipment

Contract packaging companies employ plastic molding equipment to produce a wide range of primary and secondary packaging, such as food packaging, blister packaging, pharmaceutical pill packaging, electronic packaging, and medical device packaging. These molding machines, including blow molding and plastic injection molding machines, can be adjusted to accommodate various sizes, thicknesses, and indentations.

Heat Seal Automated Machinery

Heat sealers join thermoplastics by applying pressure and heat directly. We use them for clamshell assembly, shrink wrapping, food packaging, and pharmaceutical packaging. They can be adjusted to achieve various sealing strengths.

Form-Fill-Seal Machine

Form-fill-seal machines start with flat or v-fold materials, shaping them into containers or bags before filling and sealing them. These machines typically operate on conveyor belts and assembly lines, offering flexibility for various needs such as sterilization, different container types (by adjusting sealing and seaming methods), vertical loading, and handling both liquids and solids.

Vacuum Packaging Machinery

Vacuum packaging machinery extracts atmospheric oxygen from a package and then seals it with a watertight closure. This type of machinery is commonly employed to package industrial components, food products, and electronic items such as cameras. As with all packaging equipment, vacuum packaging systems can be tailored to meet specific application requirements.

Label Dispenser

Label dispensers offer details such as pricing, usage instructions, shipping guidelines, tampering evidence, product identification, and barcoding. Service providers can customize them to suit both heavy industrial applications and small business needs.

Variations and Similar Processes

Contract packaging comes in various forms to meet the diverse needs of different industries. One notable variation is contract manufacturing, where a company outsources both the packaging and the entire manufacturing process. Contract manufacturers manage everything from sourcing raw materials to producing and packaging the final product. This method is ideal for companies lacking the infrastructure or expertise to handle production internally.

A related service is contract filling, which concentrates on placing products into containers. Contract fillers are experts in filling liquids, powders, gels, and other substances into bottles, jars, pouches, or tubes. This service is especially valuable in sectors such as cosmetics, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage, where precise filling and specialized equipment are essential for accurate dosage and minimal waste.

Besides contract manufacturing and contract filling, we also offer contract labeling and contract kitting. Contract labeling includes applying labels, barcodes, or other identifiers to product packaging. This process guarantees that products are correctly marked with essential details like ingredient lists, product codes, and regulatory information.

Contract kitting, in contrast, involves putting together and packaging various components or items into cohesive kits or sets. This method is frequently utilized in sectors such as electronics, where diverse components must be organized for retail distribution or assembly.

These variations and related processes provide businesses with multiple options for outsourcing specific packaging tasks or entire manufacturing operations. By tapping into the expertise and resources of specialized contract service providers, companies can enjoy cost savings, enhanced efficiency, and access to cutting-edge packaging technologies and capabilities.

Fulfillment Services

Fulfillment services and contract packaging are interconnected but serve different purposes. Contract packaging is mainly concerned with the packaging of products, whereas fulfillment services cover a wider range of activities beyond just packaging.

Fulfillment services handle the entire order processing and distribution process. This includes everything from receiving and managing orders to delivering the finished products to customers. The process often involves managing inventory, picking and packing items, shipping, and occasionally providing customer support.

Contract filling, as mentioned earlier, focuses specifically on placing products into containers or packaging. Fulfillment services, on the other hand, cover a broader spectrum of activities. Beyond just packaging, fulfillment services often involve order processing, product storage, inventory management, order fulfillment, and shipping logistics. These tasks are frequently delegated to third-party fulfillment centers or specialized logistics and supply chain management companies.

Contract packaging is a specialized aspect of fulfillment services. After products are manufactured or sourced, contract packaging ensures they are packaged to meet specific requirements. This involves tasks such as labeling, bundling, assembling, or kitting. Once packaging is finalized, fulfillment services manage the remaining order processing and distribution, guiding the products to their final destination with the end customers.

To sum up, contract filling is a particular part of contract packaging that deals specifically with placing products into containers. On the other hand, fulfillment services cover a wider range of tasks, including not only packaging but also order management, inventory oversight, and shipping logistics. Fulfillment services and contract packaging frequently collaborate to offer comprehensive solutions for businesses, streamlining order processing and ensuring prompt delivery of products to customers.

Benefits

Contract packaging provides a host of advantages. For starters, contract packaging service providers have the bandwidth to focus on shipping, allowing them to handle goods more efficiently and economically than many others. They are also adept at managing returns, which can be intricate and time-consuming for many companies. Additionally, they offer custom packaging solutions, including vibrant labels and distinctive shapes, ensuring your branded product stands out in the market.

Another advantage of working with contract packaging companies is their expertise in navigating packaging regulations. They excel in ensuring that products comply with FDA or Agriculture standards. Whether it’s medical supplies or food items, improper packaging can lead to significant delays and financial losses. A proficient contract packaging team can prevent these problems by implementing measures such as child-safe caps, shielding your company from potential fines or legal challenges.

How to Find the Right Service Provider

To ensure your product is both safely packaged and expertly branded, it’s crucial to partner with an experienced service provider. Seek out a contract packaging company with the vision and drive to deliver exceptional results. For a list of such talented and motivated companies, check the providers listed on this page. Each one of our partners has consistently demonstrated their expertise and reliability.

To distinguish among them, explore their profiles and websites. Select three or four that catch your interest and contact them individually with your requirements. Verify that they can deliver the services you need within your timeline and budget. Evaluate their responses, and once you’ve made your choice, follow up to get the process underway.