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Why Variety Packs Are Beneficial?

What are Variety Packs?

Variety packs are a collection of individually wrapped products or flavors of a brand, usually sold in one package. Variety packs are especially popular in the food manufacturing sector, providing a unique packaging method designed to entice customers by combining several items at a lower price. Rather than having to buy multiple types of similar products separately, variety packs offer a cost-effective, flexible way for consumers to try a full product line in a single package.

What Are the Benefits of Variety Pack Packaging?

Variety packs offer several benefits, including:

• Trial and Discovery
  Variety packs enable consumers to experiment with several products simultaneously without having to commit to any full-sized product. This is especially important for products with different flavors or formulations, as it allows consumers to try and discover new favorites without the risk of buying a full-sized product they may not like.
• Cost-Effective
  Purchasing variety packs allows consumers to explore new products and flavors without spending too much. The cost of purchasing multiple single products is typically more expensive than buying one variety pack. As such, variety packs help to save money for consumers.
• Convenience and Simplicity
  Variety packs provide a convenient and straightforward option for consumers to acquire an assortment of products in a single package. Rather than placing multiple items in their cart, consumers can simply grab the multi-pack from the shelf and continue with the rest of their shopping.
• Enhanced Consumer Experience
  Consumers may enjoy the thrill of not knowing exactly what products or flavors they will receive in a variety pack, adding to the excitement of trying new things. This can increase customer satisfaction and loyalty to the brand.

Advantages of Co-Packing for Variety Packaging

Co-packing, or contract packaging, involves a third-party company that packages products for their clients and makes them ready for the shelves. These services can be utilized for a diverse range of products, such as cosmetics, household items, food, pharmaceuticals, and industrial products. Outsourcing your packaging operations offers several advantages, including;

• Cost Reduction
  Co-packaging can reduce costs by eliminating the need to invest in expensive infrastructure for large-scale packaging projects. Co-packers have already invested in equipment, certifications, and workforce and are equipped to take on packaging projects of any size.
• Expertise
  Co-packers have extensive experience working with various industries and can offer valuable guidance on labeling and distribution. This ensures a comprehensive and effective packaging solution.
• Warehousing and Logistics Support
  Working with a co-packer allows you to streamline your operations by partnering with one entity that provides warehousing solutions and ensures your products are ready for shipping or receiving.
• Benefit from Existing Certifications
  Co-packers may already possess various certifications, including:
  • FDA Compliant
  • Kosher OU-D
  • SQF (level 3)
  • Gluten-Free Certification
  • Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)
  • Organic Certification through Baystate Organic Certifiers

  Working with a co-packer that already holds the certifications your products require prevents you from having to spend the time and money on certifying your facility.

• Scalability
  Co-packers have the teams, facilities, and equipment to scale production quickly and efficiently, ensuring your business can keep up with its growth and production demands.

Co-Packing vs. Private Label

With a growing business, you must make many decisions. One of the most significant decisions for thriving business owners is private label vs. contract manufacturing. It’s important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of co-packing and private labeling to decide which option is best for your business, as the functions and benefits of the two vary greatly. For the competitive food manufacturing industry, it’s essential to understand your options and rights regarding your products when working with third parties. 

Co-Packaging (Contract Packaging)

One of the most straightforward explanations of co-packing, or contract packaging, is partnering with a facility to help take your product to the next level for effective mass production. With co-packaging, your product’s manufacturing and packaging are outsourced to a third party to streamline the production process and increase turnaround times. Some co-packers may help expand your product distribution network, packaging design, and product storage solutions. Companies can even provide their product recipes to co-packers and hire them to manufacture the products, which helps smaller companies get into a highly competitive space without making a considerable investment in their own production facilities.

Since you as the customer retain the rights to the proprietary formulation the co-packing manufacturer uses to create the product, there is typically a non-disclosure agreement between the parties that prevents the manufacturer from sharing information about formulations or creating any additional products outside the agreement. 

Typical industries using co-packing include: 

• Dry foods
• Supplement
• Cosmetics
• Health & wellness products

Private Label

In simple terms, private label contract manufacturing is similar to a ghostwriter for mass-produced products. A private label manufacturer distributes their product and recipes under your brand. Therefore, as a customer, you do not own the rights to product formulation. 

Private labeling is ideal for companies looking to expand into a new product niche or sell products without worrying about product development. Sometimes, a private label manufacturer will work exclusively with a single customer to produce a specific formulation or adjust a current formula for the customer’s private label. However, the private labeling facility retains ownership of the product formulation, process, and ingredients used to produce the product.  

Typical uses of private labeling include: 

• Health Products
• Personal Hygiene Products
• Hair Products
• Baby Products
• Pet Products

Which Method Should You Choose?

Choosing between co-packing and private label depends on your business goals, as the varying features between the two appeal to different business models. It is usually best to find a manufacturer who can do both to help you in either scenario as your business grows. To help you decide if co-packing or private labeling is suitable for mass producing your product, keep these considerations in mind:

Pricing

Since a private label manufacturer does everything from formulation to distribution, the pricing is likely higher than a co-packer who uses your product formulation to mass produce products with your pre-designed packaging. 

Services Offered

• Co-packing offers more varied services, which can be as simple as packaging and distributing your product. 
• Co-packing allows you to retain the rights to your product’s formula or proprietary processes. 
• With a private label, you work with the facility to create a product that the manufacturer produces and packages on your behalf. 
• Private labeling assists throughout the entire process from product development, branding, and packaging. 
• Private labeling does not promise exclusivity. 

Experience with Your Product

With both a co-packer and a private labeling manufacturer, it’s essential to consider the facility’s experience with your product type. Working with a specialist in your niche will ensure high-quality production and access to higher-level industry expertise. 

Disadvantages of Private Labeling

• Dependant on a third-party manufacturer for product production. 
• Harder to build brand loyalty when using a private label upon first entering a market. 
• Consumers often associate private label products with being lower quality, even though it’s not always the case. 

Econo-Pak: Experts in Packaging

Combining unmatched customer experience and a dedication to quality with state-of-the-art equipment and knowledgeable experts, Econo-Pak proudly creates product packaging and design services for businesses of all sizes. Partner with Econo-Pak and let our family-owned packaging company help efficiently and effectively bring your product to market. We can handle scalable growth to meet your business’s needs, as no idea is too challenging for our team. Contact us to learn more about our innovative co-packaging services or request a quote to start your partnership with a top-rated co-packer. 

New Salt Analyzer Equipment

Salt in Food Products

Contrary to popular belief, the majority of the sodium that Americans consume doesn’t come from regular table salt but instead comes from consuming prepared and packaged foods, such as chips, crackers, soups, pizza, deli meat sandwiches, and more. Since these foods contain too much sodium, it makes it very difficult for individuals looking to cut down their sodium intake. Because of this, the FDA has been working with the food industry in an effort to reduce the sodium content in various foods.

Sodium is used across a range of food applications, including baking, thickening, curing meat, enhancing flavor, and more. Although these are all important uses, it is very important to monitor salt content to ensure you are not using too much or too little. The increased scrutiny over nutritional labeling, coupled with the importance of salt in taste and shelf stability, makes it essential for food processors to establish and maintain desired salt levels in product recipes.

The Salt Analyzer: What Is It and What Does It Do?

Econo-Pak’s new salt analyzer offers food processors a rapid, accurate, and easy-to-use method to monitor salt levels in various foods. It analyzes salt content in solutions by measuring solution temperature and conductivity. The internal microprocessor mathematically compensates for any shifts in solution temperature and translates to salt concentration, displaying the results in different units.

Depending on the food product being analyzed, you can use the non-contact dip-in probe or a flow-through column, both of which use non-corroding internal electrodes. This eliminates turbulent flow and ensures precise sample repeatability while keeping the bore obstruction-free.

Click to Expand

Food Products You Can Analyze With a Salt Analyzer

A salt analyzer can measure sodium content in several foods, including:

• Meat packaging products
• Processed beef
• Sausage and similar products
• Butter and margarine
• Cheese
• Packaged meats (canned, glass)
• Prepared meats
• Peanut butter
• Packaged vegetables (canned, glass)
• Eggs (frozen, liquid, or dried)
• Vinegar
• Packaged seafood (canned, glass)
• Wheat flour
• Frozen dinners
• Cereals
• Snacks (chips, pretzels, popcorn)

Econo-Pak’s DiCromat II^TM Salt Analyzer

The Econo-Pak DiCromat II^TM Salt Analyzer comes with several benefits, including:

• Easy to use. Our salt analyzer is easy to use – simply prepare your sample and use the membrane keypad to program each sample’s name, testing time, and date. Unlike other salt analyzers, the Econo-Pak DiCromat II™ is easy to clean as it doesn’t need to be disassembled.
• Versatile. The Econo-Pak salt analyzer’s compact design allows testing to be conducted either on the line or back in the laboratory, while the standard RS-232 digital output allows it to be linked to any computer or printer to produce a permanent record.
• Fast and accurate. With the Econo-Pak DiCromat II™, you can measure salt concentrations from less than 0.1 to over 26% by weight without dilution and 100% salt with dilution and get your results within seconds.
• Backed by quality service. At Econo-Pak, we’re dedicated to providing a high-quality product that meets customer expectations as well as rigorous regulatory standards, such as the FDA and Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI).

Your Partner for Your Food Packaging Needs

At Econo-Pak, we specialize in food packaging such as bagging, wrapping, pouching, cartoning, and procurement. With our dedication to quality, we strive to help people live healthier lives by providing the necessary tools to make that happen. For more information about our DiCromat II™ salt analyzer, or to learn more about our food packaging capabilities, contact us today or request a free quote.

Three Reasons Why Large Manufacturers Need a Co-Packer

The ideal product packaging does much more than simply protect a product during transport. It also keeps out oxygen or contaminants that might otherwise degrade consumable goods, and tamper-evident packaging adds a level of product security. Beyond that, packaging offers a great branding opportunity, marketing the internal contents and promoting your company while also providing industry-mandated information like expiration dates and ingredients. However, not every business is equipped to handle its own packaging internally. That’s where co-packers come in.

What is a co-packer? Typically, contract packaging companies package and label products that their clients have manufactured to take that strain off their operations. In the food and beverage industry, co-packers will also sometimes work as contract manufacturers, actually handling food processing in addition to the packing. Working with a reputable, FDA-certified co-packer can help you grow your business while focusing your own workforce on what you do best.

Co-Packing vs. Manufacturing In-House

When determining whether to outsource your packaging to a co-packer or handle it in-house, there are numerous considerations that are crucial to the decision. The packaging process necessitates quality material procurement, specialized equipment, and a trained workforce. Some companies may have a product or recipe that they feel is too complex to outsource, or production rates are low enough that they won’t meet co-packing company minimums for production.

If you choose to work with a co-packer, finding the right company is important. Research carefully as selecting the wrong co-packer could lead to incorrect labeling, suboptimal marketing, or even compromised product quality. For highly regulated products like consumables, you need a company that can provide the necessary quality assurance to keep from damaging your company’s reputation through a negative customer experience with your brand.

Signs That You Should Work With a Co-Packing Company

How do you know when a co-packer is right for you? There are three main indicators that partnering with a contract packaging company is appropriate for your business.

1. Your facility, equipment, or workforce can’t successfully meet demand. If you find that orders are constantly outpacing your team’s ability to keep up with them, or you can’t find the space for warehousing, this is your first clue that co-packing could be advantageous for your business. A good co-packer can help you increase your production volume so that your team can focus on your core operations instead. Also, without having to invest in specialty equipment or retraining, co-packers will typically already have certifications for kosher, gluten-free, or organic food handling as well as labeling capabilities.
2. You want to scale your operations. If you’ve determined that your operation is scalable in that there is appropriate demand for your product and you will be able to retain quality results in bulk production, a co-packer may be right for you. A reputable co-packing facility will have the necessary production capabilities, equipment, and skilled workforce to help you increase production when you need to, and fast, all without having to worry about sacrificing quality or efficiency in the packaging.
3. You are concerned about budget and time frames. Manufacturing in-house requires a fully equipped production facility, staff with proper training, the right raw materials, and adequate storage, all of which require heavy investments in money and time. Fortunately, using a co-packer can be a solution to those challenges as packaging processes are already in the company’s wheelhouse. Also, co-packaging companies typically source their material in bulk, which often allows them to pass on more economical pricing to customers.

Enjoy Quality Co-Packing With Econo-Pak

Given the current economic climate, Econo-Pak is ready to partner with you to help bring your product to market efficiently and effectively. We are an innovative contract food packaging company that can handle scalable growth, and we bring a wealth of experience as a family-owned packaging company for over three decades.

Our company serves businesses and food packaging needs of all sizes, with over 200 packaging machines in our 240,000-sqft. facility. We offer custom package design services coupled with affordable pricing and quick turnaround times.

Our capabilities for stand-up pouches, flow and shrink wrapping, powder filling, and bulk food packaging benefit our diverse customer base of supermarkets, foodservice businesses, club/wholesale stores, retailers, and pharmacies, among other large food manufacturers. To provide you with peace of mind when it comes to packaging quality and food safety, all of our operations meet FDA regulations, and we hold numerous certifications as part of that commitment, including:

• Safe Quality Food Certification
• Food and Drug Administration Certification
• Organic certification by Baystate Organic Certifiers
• Gluten-free certification by the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America
• Costco Safety and Quality Audit Certification
• Kosher OU-D Certification

We also have the capability to adjust our processes for certain dietary restrictions and allergy concerns. To learn more about how Econo-Pak’s co-packing services can support your business, contact us today.

Incorporating Sustainable Practices Into Your Packaging Processes

In recent years, consumers have been demanding more eco-friendly initiatives from businesses. As a result, adopting more sustainable practices has become essential for companies to thrive. Many manufacturers have begun incorporating more sustainable practices into their packing processes by utilizing recycled materials, finding ways to reduce packaging and other actions. Here, our team at Econo-Pak discusses what sustainable product packaging is, why it’s important, and how you can incorporate sustainability into your packaging process. 

What Is Sustainable Packaging?

Sustainable packaging in general refers to packaging that doesn’t further reduce the earth’s natural resources. There are many possible steps companies can take to make their packaging process more sustainable. These include choosing packaging made from recycled materials, minimizing unnecessary excess packaging, and optimizing production materials and energy usage. Packaging is also considered sustainable if it is produced and transported using renewable energy, and if it doesn’t pose any health risks through the use of toxic chemicals. 

In the packaging industry, being more sustainable can be achieved through simple steps, such as eliminating as much production waste as possible and making sure packaging materials are FDA-approved food safe and able to be recycled. Working with suppliers who have eliminated toxic chemicals from their packaging, or who utilize flexible packaging are other good ideas. 

Importance of Sustainability in Packaging

Packaging choices have a significant impact on the environment as well as people’s health. Each year an enormous amount of packaging ends up in landfills and the ocean. Producing packaging materials can also use lots of resources, which contributes to environmental problems. Additionally, the chemicals used in certain types of packaging materials have been linked to severe health issues. 

By choosing more eco-friendly materials and processes, companies can not only protect the environment and consumers’ health, but they can also save money. Sustainable packaging is often more lightweight, which translates to reduced shipping costs and less required storage space. Consumers also respond positively to sustainable packing options, which can translate into more sales. 

Incorporating Sustainability in Your Packaging Processes

Companies around the world are finding innovative new packaging ideas that benefit the environment. For example, some companies are adopting reusable containers that consumers can refill at the store, or finding ways to recycle waste products, such as old fishing nets, into containers that were previously made from plastic. Several companies are also working on improving the recycling process for polyurethane. Overall, there are lots of exciting innovations happening in the packaging industry. 

There are several ways for companies to begin incorporating more sustainability into their packaging processes. 

• First, begin switching to packaging materials that are easily recyclable, or have already been made from recycled materials. 
• Next, take a look at how your products are currently packaged and see if there are any packaging components you could reduce or eliminate. You could also switch to flexible packaging, which cuts down on space and shipping weight. 
• Finally, seek out sustainable packaging companies and choose manufacturing partners who are optimizing their processes to use fewer resources. 

The packaging industry has undergone many changes in recent years. As more importance is placed on environmentally friendly manufacturing practices, companies are changing their packaging processes to be more sustainable. Consumers love seeing products that have been produced sustainably. By switching to sustainable packaging materials, minimizing excess packaging, and working with eco-friendly packaging specialists, companies can help save the environment while cutting down on costs. 

Econo-Pak offers sustainable food and product packaging with efficient production times and a wide selection of packaging materials. We can help you select packaging that reduces excess shipping weight and waste, and meets the criteria for sustainability. If you’re ready to switch to find a more eco-friendly solution for your packaging, submit a request for a quote.

Advantages of Bulk Food Packaging

Bulk packaging has been a popular packing method in commercial food distribution for years. More recently, individual consumers have shifted to buying in bulk. While consumer demand for bulk packaging was already growing, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in new buying patterns that increased that demand exponentially. As more buyers experience the benefits of bulk food containers, food packaging providers must innovate to offer quality bulk packaging that supports changing consumer and commercial purchasing practices. 

Benefits Of Bulk Packaging

Bulk packaging offers a long list of benefits, including: 

• Protection from moisture. Polypropylene features high water resistance, making it common bulk packaging material for its ability to protect products from moisture and prevent mold and mildew growth.
• Pest-free protection. Insects and other pests can wreak havoc on food products. Quality packaging that prevents infestations is essential to reduce product loss. Pest prevention also facilitates long-term storage for consumers who buy in bulk. 
• Durability. Bulk packaging features enhanced strength to withstand the rigors and rough handling associated with transportation and warehousing.  
• Improved worker safety. Shipping and storing large product quantities causes physical strain on workers. However, durable bulk packaging is designed with worker safety as a top priority. The containers often have handles and loops that allow workers to move the bulk products with shared lifting practices or mechanical equipment to reduce the risk of injury.
• Less consumer waste. Buying in bulk decreases the amount of packaging found on individually packaged items. Additionally, many bulk packaging containers are reusable, so they won’t end up in landfills.  

Common Types of Bulk-Packaged Products 

Many businesses use wholesale product packaging to easily ship their products to retailers in a way that compliments their brands. Bulk packaging is also applied to a range of food products, allowing consumers to purchase multiples of the same product in one convenient box or bag. The following types of products benefit the most from bulk packaging: 

• Non-perishable foods. Cans containing non-perishable food items are one of the most common items found in bulk. Using bulk packaging for cans facilitates easier transportation and less product damage. 
• Bottles. The cylindrical design of bottles makes them inconvenient to purchase in high volumes individually. This design also makes loose bottles prone to rolling or getting knocked over, leading to potential product loss during shipping or while sitting on shelves. Bulk packaging materials encase bottles to reduce these unfortunate events. Shrink wrapping is a popular way to package bottles while maintaining product visibility through the packaging. 
• Jars. Products often sold in jars must be handled with care due to the breakable nature of glass containers. Wholesale packaging provides glass jars extra protection to reduce the risk of breaking. 
• Home supplies. Home essentials, such as paper towels and toilet paper, are some of the most widely consumer-purchased bulk products. Shoppers benefit from buying home supplies in bulk by saving trips to the store, while manufacturers benefit from reduced packaging material and labor costs. 
• Powders. Bulk powder packaging often relies on vertical form fill seal or pouch packaging and filling services. This wholesale packaging method facilitates the packaging of large volumes of powdered goods quickly and effectively. 

Econo-Pak’s Bulk Packaging Experts

There are many advantages of incorporating bulk packaging for your products. When deciding on wholesale packaging solutions for your business, it is essential to work with knowledgeable professionals with experience in the market. 

At Econo-Pak, we have over 30 years of experience providing bulk packaging solutions. Our team has a commitment to innovation and quality, delivering packaging solutions to meet your unique needs. Our designers will work with you to find the best bulk food packaging for your product. 

Please request a quote to learn more about our bulk packaging capabilities and how they can benefit your business.