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Top 5 Myths Of Outsourcing Kitting and Packaging

Outsourcing your kitting, assembly, or packaging processes may seem like a foreign idea with a lot of unknowns.  For small to medium sized companies particularly, those who have invested in staff, inventory, and training to sort, assemble and package their products, it may seem like a large task to start outsourcing this part of your business. The truth is, once you speak with an experienced kitting and packaging company, you may wonder why you didn’t outsource years ago.

Debunking the Top 5 Myths About Outsourcing Kitting and Packaging 

Businesses spend a lot of time developing their products, with efficient production methods and quality control. When it comes to packaging for inventory or sale, this is one area that requires just as much attention but can unfortunately be an afterthought.  Most companies and manufacturers are experts at what they do, the same goes for kitting and packaging companies.

By outsourcing to an experienced contract packager, you can actually improve your productivity and profitability by focusing on what you do best.  Here are some of the top 5 myths that may prevent some companies from realizing the many benefits of outsourcing:

Myth #1: Outsourcing is not worth the hassle 

It may seem like a giant task to pack up your products and ship to a skilled kitting and packager, although with the help of experienced contract packagers, this can be streamlined and simple.  Peoria Production Solutions has been streamlining kitting and packaging processes for companies for more than 80 years. We can show you how you still have complete control of your inventory even when not on your premises.  PPS keeps meticulous track of all customer supplied material with lot code traceability and strict quality control measures.  Once this task is relieved from your in-house processes, you realize just how much time is opened up to focus on your niche market. This, to us, is no hassle at all, just smart business.

Myth #2: Outsourcing is only for large companies, not small to medium sized businesses. 

We hope you realize the myth in that statement immediately. Nothing could be further from the truth as small to mid sized enterprises (SMEs) play a major role in the economy and help to drive innovation.  SMEs focusing on producing their goods or providing their services greatly benefit by outsourcing kitting and packaging to continue to grow their business with a trusted packaging partner on their team.  In fact, we might go so far as to say that outsourcing can help the SME as a bridge that allows you to grow your business and take your company to the next level. 

Myth #3: My customers won’t like us outsourcing. 

An experienced contract packager like PPS can have your products kitted, assembled, and shipped back to your plant without anyone knowing.  In fact, you will have more products ready to ship sooner, your customers will be nothing but happy.  As an ISO9001:2015 registered company, PPS takes pride in efficient operations and on-time delivery.  We can package your products discreetly and to your specifications.  We also specialize in creating display ready, secondary packaging, You receive your products fully assembled and ready to stock the shelves.

Myth #4: My kitting, assembly, or packaging operation is too complicated to outsource. 

A seasoned kitting and packaging company has seen it all, from numerous bags of small parts to keep track of, organize and assemble to display ready packaging.  PPS offers more than 80 years of experience in kitting, assembling, and packaging your goods to your exact specifications, no matter how many parts or components.  We can offer suggestions to improve your packaging with the most cost-efficient solutions available.

Myth #5: Outsourcing Kitting Is Too Expensive 

When considering the total cost to perform kitting, assembly and specialized packaging in house, most companies realize a cost savings by outsourcing. Consider not only the labor and cost of materials for your process, but the space and capacity that could be used for your production instead. Time and space both have value, be sure to optimize yours to the fullest.

Speak with an experienced contract kitting and packaging company at Peoria Production Solutions. We provide solutions to help you meet your production needs with high quality kitting, assembly, and packaging delivered on time.

Peoria Production Solutions offers contract assembly, kitting, and packaging from a skilled and experienced workforce. We offer more than 80 years of experience in meeting companies’ specific production needs. Contact us to learn more about the many benefits of outsourcing your secondary operations such as kitting, assembly, and packaging.

Great Packaging Includes Great Kitting and Assembly

It really does not matter what you are selling, great packaging is important for businesses and consumers. Manufacturers rely on sturdy packaging to protect their products during storage or shipping. Consumers expect packaging that protects the products until they receive them and so much more.

Packaging today must be sturdy and protective, with marketing that appeals to consumers in clean and attractive bags, boxes, or assembled kits. To be competitive in today’s eco-friendly environment, companies must also use packaging that reduces waste and contributes to their corporate and social responsibility. In addition to these considerations, companies selling assembled kits need efficient packaging solutions that aligns with their goals to:

• • • Protect products
    • Meet marketing demands
    • Produce minimum waste
    • Cost effective assembly

Companies that address all of these considerations are more likely to experience brand success and consumer loyalty. Companies must ask themselves today how to deliver their products with appealing wrapping or gift packaging, with recyclable materials, and at the lowest possible cost. Answers to these questions provide a good foundation for the right kitting and assembly services to meet your business model for profitability and consumer satisfaction.

Consider Cost-Efficient Pre-Assembly for Kitting 

Companies selling various products that require kitting such as cosmetics, tools and hardware, arts and crafts, and any other combination of products grouped together require an efficient method of kitting and assembly. Take a makeup kit for example, while many products must be assembled into appealing gift packaging, several of those products may require individual wrappings such as eye makeup enclosed in protective cello bags prior to assembling in a kit.

Protective and appealing kitting may require pre-assembly of some products prior to final assembly. You need a custom contract wrapping and packaging specialist with experience in kitting and assembly, including pre-assembly. This saves companies money when they can rely on one wrapping and packaging company to pre-assemble certain products and then perform the final gift packaging assembly as well. 

Peoria Production Solutions Provides Packaging and Kitting Solutions

Peoria Production Solutions, PPS, has been providing kitting and assembly packaging services for more than 80 years. We offer a modern facility, a highly trained and skilled staff dedicated to a high attention of detail for total customer satisfaction. PPS follows a strict quality policy as part of our ISO9001:2015 registration, practiced with top-down involvement with all employees committed to continual improvement and a job well done.

We focus on training and employee development, lean processes with value stream mapping, and cross training that eliminates potential bottlenecks. Our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system tracks all incoming customer supplied material with lot code traceability and full accountability.

PPS offers secondary and specialty wrapping, packaging, and assembly to meet kitting needs for companies of all sizes. We provide secondary production and packaging solutions to some of the largest Fortune 100 companies and manufacturers with high quality and on-time delivery. Contact us to learn more about improving your packaging with great kitting and assembly services.

Increasing Revenue Through Outsourced Kitting & Assembly

Kitting and assembly has taken on a whole new meaning in recent years with the increase of e-commerce, online ordering, and subscription boxes. Many small businesses are realizing that kitting products together, grouping similar products to meet consumer demand, increases customer satisfaction, thus increases sales.

How to keep up with this ever-changing consumer demand is often the question of retailers and e-commerce companies, and how to do it profitably is the key to business success, growth, and continuation.

Types of Kitting and Assembly Processes 

Kitting is the process of grouping together similar items that are combined to make a new SKU. Kitting is a service that takes different products and puts them together in whatever packaging is dictated by the retailer for things like sample kits and bundles. Kitting is becoming very popular across many industries in everything from hardware, cosmetics, clothing, personal care items, food, and beverage products and more.

Kitting can be done in a couple of different ways.  Many companies now offer subscription boxes where customers can pick and choose the items they want to arrive regularly. Other companies conduct market research to determine which products to bundle together or let consumer demand and convenience drive their kitting process, such as offering a shaving kit in addition to just a razor or shaving cream sold separately on the shelf.

Kitting and assembly, or bundles, are put together after much thought, consideration and planning based on customer or consumer analysis.

Challenges with Assembly and Kitting 

Product assembly and kitting is often one of the most challenging processes for retailers or e-commerce companies. For manufacturers that focus on niche products, taking time and space in their facility to provide assembly and kitting takes away from what they do best. Assembling and kitting is normally not the main focus of most companies, which is why utilizing the services of a contract assembling or kitting company is often well worth it and can actually increase revenue.

Many companies simply attempt to perform assembly and kitting in-house because they are unaware of the many benefits of outsourcing to a contract assembling company. They might think it is too expensive or too much of a hassle to ship their products off-site for assembly and return shipping. Speaking with an experienced contract assembly company can shed new light on the many benefits of outsourcing assembly and kitting.

The biggest problem that companies run into with assembly and kitting is bottlenecks in packaging and shipping. Time is money and anything that delays shipping is revenue lost. Using company capacity and resources, including labor, to perform assembly and packaging processes not related to your niche revenue stream may not be the best solution for company growth and sustainability.

Partner with Contract Assembly Companies to Increase Revenue 

Partnering with an experienced contract assembly and kitting company can provide many benefits that allow you to meet customer demand, provide customer satisfaction and improve your own company profitability. Peoria Production Solutions, PPS, has been providing contract assembly and kitting services for more than 80 years to some of the largest companies in the nation. We follow a strict quality policy as part of our ISO9001:2015 registration, practice Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and cross training of employees to eliminate any bottlenecks and ensure the most efficient process.

PPS offers the resources, the staff, a large modern facility, and decades of experience in providing quality and cost-efficient assembly and kitting of various products.  Contact us to see how we can increase your revenue with cost-efficient assembly and kitting that meets your production schedule and your budget.

Making the Switch from Fiber Drums to Flexible Bagging For Powder and Granules

Manufacturers of powders and granules have historically used fiber drums for storing and shipping their products. While using large drums has been the norm and provides some benefits such as convenience for filling into a large mouth open container, many manufacturers are realizing the benefits of flexible packaging. The size of the typical drum used in this industry is somewhat limiting and results in a high total cost of ownership.

Manufacturers looking for a more cost-effective packaging solution which reduces their carbon footprint while maintaining product integrity are realizing the many benefits of flexible packaging such as durable polymer bags.

 Many Benefits of Flexible Bagging over Drums with Powder Filling Process

Many industry trends point to manufacturers shifting to flexible packaging and a number of benefits are noted as the key reasons for making the switch. Key considerations when choosing flexible packaging versus rigid packaging options like drums include:

• Product quality and integrity
• Sustainability
• Transportation
• Total cost of ownership
• Safety

Product Quality and Integrity

Fiber drums have a high oxygen transmission rate (OTR) and moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) compared to other types of packaging. Adding foil linings or drum coatings requires an added cost and the drums still may not be the ideal packaging selection. Flexible packaging that provides an airtight seal can better protect against moisture, some types of bags include valves that allow for degassing without any moisture or oxygen inclusion.

Sustainability

Companies worldwide are continually working to reduce their carbon footprint and consumers are increasingly seeking out these socially responsible brands. Thinner, flexible packaging requires less energy to manufacture, store, and transport. Thinner, lighter weight materials also reduce the amount of material waste in landfills.

Transportation

With thinner, lightweight packaging options over rigid drums, more product can be shipped in less space.  This optimizes fuel costs and reduces greenhouse gas emissions for a smaller carbon footprint.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

The total cost of ownership from flexible packaging compared to rigid packaging is quite a bit less when all expenses over the product lifecycle are considered. From more efficient manufacturing to shipping more product in less space, improving transportation fuel efficiency and waste in landfills, flexible packaging has the potential to greatly reduce total cost of ownership.

Safety

Managing flexible packaging is easier and less cumbersome than moving large fiber drums which pose a risk of injury to employees. Drums can fall and roll, creating a hazardous spill and injury on impact.

Many companies are moving from rigid packaging to flexible packaging options including the powder, granule and resin market. When choosing a partner for your flexible packaging requirements, consult with an experienced contract packager like Peoria Production Solutions, PPS.

Peoria Production Solutions: Experienced Flex Packager

Peoria Production Solutions, PPS, has been providing contract packaging services for more than 80 years to companies of all sizes including Fortune 100 manufacturers. We offer secondary and flexible packaging solutions including auto bagging, bag filling, labeling, assembly, wrapping, powder filling and more.  PPS utilizing stainless steel, automated powder filling equipment with a high rate of accuracy. We provide auto bagging and powder filling services for many products such as bird seed, pet neutralizing granules, starch, etc…

Let PPS help you to improve your powder bagging process with tight quality control and cost-efficient contract packaging services. As a fully sustainable not-for-profit organization, we offer the flexibility to meet your needs with high quality product, service and delivery.

PPS is a leading contract packager in the Midwest, servicing companies of all sizes with a variety of packaging solutions.  We help companies meet their sustainability efforts with flexible packaging solutions that reduce costs and waste. Contact us to learn more about eco-friendly, sustainable flexible packaging options.

Flex Packaging for Vitamins & Supplements

The vitamin, supplement and nutraceutical market is expected to experience growth with a Compound Annual Growth Rate, CAGR, at 4.62% to reach $26.93 billion by 2026, according to a report published by Global Newswire. People around the world are more interested than ever in boosting their overall health and wellness with products that provide immune support and preventive care.

Packaging solutions for vitamins and supplements must meet production and consumer demand with compliant labeling and convenient, flexible packaging which can improve the consumer experience and expand brand awareness in a growing market.

Flexible Packaging Supports the Vitamin and Supplement Industry 

Vitamins and supplements come in all different forms such as pills, capsules, soft gels, tablets, powders, and liquid. Various types of packaging include primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging with custom options such as blister packs, strips, bottles, rigid papers, and stand up pouches with childproof sealing options. Flexible packaging has been a favorite type of packaging for both manufacturers and consumers for many products including vitamins and supplements.

Dietary supplements are defined as products that are intended to complement one’s diet and may contain ingredients such as minerals, vitamins, amino acids, herbs, and other botanicals.  FDA requirements for labeling of dietary supplements mandate that the name of the product should be readily identifiable, the quantity, list of ingredients, name and address of the manufacturer or distributor must all be clearly labeled.

Benefits of Flexible Packaging

Flexible packaging provides environmental benefits over rigid plastic, with thinner, lighter weight packaging. This is appealing to both companies with a social responsibility and also to consumers that care about the planet. Flexible packaging requires less energy to manufacture and transport and reduces product waste in landfills for a smaller carbon footprint than rigid plastic counterparts.

Flexible packaging is more cost efficient for manufacturers with easier shipping and storage.  Flexible packaging materials today are made of advanced polymers that provide protective qualities to prevent moisture, mold, oxidation, or dehydration. Supplement products in a powder form naturally attract moisture. Packaging in multiple layers of water resistant material provides added protection.

Flexible packaging is easier for consumers to handle when shopping and takes up less space when storing. Flexible packaging such as stand up pouches allow for easy opening, easy access such as scooping product out of a bag, and easy reliable sealing to improve nutritional value and shelf life.

By choosing flexible packaging and working with an experienced contract packaging company, manufacturers can improve internal cost efficiencies while improving brand awareness and meeting consumer demand.

Peoria Production Solutions Offers Custom Flex Packaging 

Peoria Production Solutions, PPS, is an experienced contract packaging company providing packaging solutions to companies of all sizes for more than 80 years. We offer a wide range of secondary and repackaging services including club pack, clamshell, bag filling, labeling, auto bagging, and more. We help many companies in the food and beverage industry such as makers of tea, fitness drinks, protein shakes, and more.

PPS utilizes a modern facility, a highly trained staff, and automated equipment such as a heat tunnel, heat sealer, vertical continuous band sealer, hot stamp imprinter, auto bagging equipment and more. We have the capacity to set up dedicated stations to follow meticulous assembly, wrapping and packaging instructions to your exact specifications. Our Enterprise Resource Planning, ERP, system keeps track of all incoming customer supplied material with lot code traceability for full accountability.

PPS is an ISO9001:2015 registered company providing secondary packaging solutions with quick turnaround and competitive pricing. We provide high-quality services with a dedicated staff committed to meticulous detail for total customer satisfaction. Contact us with any questions and to learn more about our flexible packaging solutions for the vitamin, supplement, and nutraceutical market.

Inclusive Labeling Adds Value for Both Consumers and Brand

Many brands follow the rules when it comes to labeling, particularly regarding safety warnings and nutritional values of food, etc. When it comes to inclusivity, while many companies have taken great strides, there is still a lot of room for improvement. People with disabilities are the world’s largest minority, according to the United Nations, yet when it comes to regulatory standards regarding inclusivity, particularly about obtaining information, this large segment of the consumer base is poorly represented.

Inclusive Labeling Attracts, Informs, and Accommodates 

Companies do everything they can to increase brand awareness from revamping packaging with attractive colors, font styles, and textures, although more businesses are aiming to accommodate as well as attract and inform consumers. Take the food industry, for example, mandatory information is required regarding ingredients and nutritional value with a minimum font size, yet these standards will not do much for those with limited or failing eyesight and will do nothing for the blind population.

Some brands are finding innovative ways to enhance the in-store shopping experience as well as day-to-day usability of various products for the vision impaired.

Improving Inclusivity for the Vision Impaired 

Basic compliance standards do not represent the social responsibility of a company or the real value to consumers.  Some companies like Procter & Gamble have started to include tactile markers on their bottling for those that read braille. Understanding the context in how products are used can help companies to improve their inclusivity.

For example, someone with vision loss may line up assistance to have someone shop with them to read labels or tell the difference between a bottle of shampoo and conditioner. But who is going to help this person in the shower when they need to distinguish between two different similar bottles? Inclusive labeling to meet the context of product use can go a long way to improve a company’s brand awareness and social responsibility.

Some ways that companies are improving their packaging to be more inclusive particularly to the vision impaired population include:

Braille Labeling 

Since the invention of braille in 1829 by Louis Braille, this tactile writing system has provided a means for countless people with blindness and visual impairments to be able to read books, music, signs, and mathematical equations. In Europe, braille is required to be included on pharmaceutical packaging, although this is not required in the U.S. Braille can make a big difference to a large population of people whether consumers shopping in a store or navigating various bottles of products and medications in their own home.

Larger Print 

Larger print on labeling can help those with a visual impairment and a clean, unadorned font such as Arial is a good choice. Font size should be 16 point when possible with adequate spacing between letters and lines of text. Light text on a darker background is sometimes easier to read. Avoiding italics, or fancy lettering can help the visually impaired to feel more included as a consumer.

Whatever type of packaging your company incorporates to improve your inclusivity measures, Peoria Production Solutions, PPS, applauds you and offers contract packaging services customized to your specific requirements.

PPS Practices Inclusivity on a Daily Basis

Peoria Production Solutions, PPS, is a not for profit contract packaging company offering secondary packaging services including wrapping, packing, and labeling. We offer more than 80 years of expertise in providing high quality, production solutions for some of the largest corporations and Fortune 100 companies in America. We started as a not for profit company employing individuals recovering from tuberculosis, and have grown to be a fully sustainable, ISO9001:2015 registered company employing individuals with disabilities.

Our team comes to work every day with a can-do attitude, and a dedication to a job well done. We provide a wide range of services requiring meticulous attention to detail and invest in continual training and automated equipment. With exceptionally low employee turnover, we enjoy a dedicated team committed to high quality and total customer satisfaction. As our mission is providing jobs not profits, we offer unique flexibility to meet our customer needs with high quality services that meet your budget.

PPS is a leading contract packaging services company located conveniently in the Midwest with the resources, capacity, and skilled staff to meet your unique packaging requirements. We believe in inclusivity for all, providing equal opportunities for all people with alternate abilities. Contact us to learn more about improving your inclusivity labeling for greater brand awareness and social responsibility.