Category Archive: Contract Packing

Quick Guide: Secondary Packaging for Cosmetic Products

 Secondary Packaging for Cosmetic Products

The cosmetics industry is one where secondary packaging plays a primary role in brand identification and differentiation, in addition to product protection. The packaging used for cosmetics provides an excellent opportunity for marketing and increasing brand awareness. To understand the importance of secondary packaging in the cosmetics industry, it is important to understand the difference between primary and secondary packaging and the roles they play.

Primary and Secondary Packaging in Cosmetics

Primary packaging is what actually holds the product and comes in many forms, such as the plastic tube that holds mascara, glass jars that hold nail polish, or spray bottles for perfume. Primary packaging typically displays important product information such as ingredients, expiration dates, usage instructions, and more.

Secondary packaging is the outer packaging that keeps products safe and protected during storage, handling, and shipping. Secondary packaging also plays a critical role in the cosmetics industry as the primary container that holds the tube of mascara or lipstick and contains important information such as brand colors, logos, products, and company information. In many cases, secondary packaging for cosmetics does more than protecting products, it drives sales with eye-catching designs and messages.

Tips for Designing Secondary Cosmetic Packaging

We have all seen the boxes of toothpaste that claim to whiten teeth or makeup and nail polish with a sample swatch of color on the outside of the packaging. These tactics used in secondary cosmetic packaging are meant to attract consumers with vibrant colors and important messaging. Some of the most important tips when designing secondary packaging for the cosmetics industry include:

  • Organic, Earth-Friendly Color Palettes
    Organic colors that resemble nature are common in the cosmetics, health, and beauty industry as they resemble youth, life, and vigor. Earth-friendly colors such as greens and blues can also add a comforting and warm feel to your cosmetic packaging.
  • Eye Catching Patterns
    You’ll see eye-catching patterns all over cosmetic packages. Vibrant colors with strong fonts and well-placed design elements give cosmetic packaging the differentiation they need from other products. Abstract patterns make cosmetics stand out all those should still be designed with colors and fonts that are pleasing to the eye.
  • Using The Right Typography
    It is important to choose the right fonts for your brand, one that goes well with your design elements and resonates with your target customers. The right typography is especially important in minimalist designs where the brand name is the main focus.
  • Foil Stamping Adds a Premium Effect
    Foil stamping in silver, copper, or gold adds a premium accent to cosmetic packaging, enhancing visual impact with an upscale, luxurious look.
  • Include Images
    Incorporating images is another way to make secondary cosmetic packaging more interesting. Images can cover an empty background or be combined with illustrations and other design elements.
  • Inside the Box Printing And/or Patterns
    Don’t forget about what your consumer sees when they open the box. Well-placed patterns and prints inside the box can further enhance a consumer’s pleasant feeling when unwrapping cosmetic products.

These are some tips to improve secondary cosmetic packaging, which is often the first thing to catch the consumer’s eye, even though it is also the first to be tossed after opening. Using tried-and-true techniques for cosmetics secondary packaging helps companies get the most bang for their buck for this important yet disposable type of packaging.

Working with an experienced contract packaging company can help companies to understand their options for types of secondary packaging available, costs, and labor expenses.

Peoria Production Solutions, PPS, is an experienced contract packaging provider with more than 80 years of expertise in providing various types of packaging services. We offer flex packaging, auto bagging, kitting and assembly, and many other services, including secondary packaging. Contact us to learn more about improving your packaging process by outsourcing to an experienced, cost-efficient and quality-minded secondary packaging provider.

The Value of ERP Tracking Systems in Kitting

Material Tracking

Kitting is the process of grouping individual products together to create a bundle of individual yet related items. Kitting and assembly are techniques to manage inventory and meet consumer demands. Kitting individual items with individual SKUs creates one bundled package with a new SKU for easier inventory and sales management.

Detailed material tracking software helps contract kitting and assembly providersto track multiple individual SKUs and ensure full accountability of all customer-supplied material.

Inventory Tracking Software Improves Kitting

Manual inventory tracking software systems are time-consuming and prone to error. Computerized, real-time tracking systems provide immediate access to current inventory data and drastically improve inventory management and sales order delivery times. Kitting and assembly providers that utilize Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software provided advantages to customers with accurate records and improved delivery.

When customers outsource kitting, kitting and assembly providers that utilize detailed tracking systems can scan in customer-supplied components when received and ensure that all components are accounted for in completed kits with detailed bills of material. A bill of material, commonly called a BOM, contains all aspects of materials, components, and labor required to create a final finished product. BOMs are the heart of Material Resource Planning (MRP) software and ensure that companies have all required components on hand to meet sales requirements.

Kitting and assembly providers establish required materials and schedules to meet production demands. ERP systems in kitting are necessary for efficient kitting and assembly operations with a multilevel bill of materials and specifications such as multi-step routing and packaging requirements.

Kitting and Assembly Provider with ERP

Peoria Production Solutions, PPS, is an experienced kitting and assembly provider with more than 80 years in business, helping companies to meet production requirements. We are a fully sustainable, not-for-profit organization committed to helping our customers with high-quality secondary production services such as kitting and assembly, secondary packaging, shrink wrapping, palletizing, and more. We offer a state-of-the-art facility and a trained, technical staff committed to meticulous attention to detail. PPS follows a strict quality policy as part of our ISO9001:2015 certification.

We follow lean production practices and conduct exercises such as Value Stream Mapping (VSM) to improve efficiency and reduce waste. Our ERP system ensures full accountability for all customer-supplied material and provides efficient and accurate record keeping. We utilize powerful automated equipment and follow detailed work instructions with dedicated workstations for customer kitting and assembly processes.

Leading Kitting and Assembly Provider

Peoria Production Solutions, PPS, is a leading kitting and assembly services provider with decades of experience in meeting unique customer packaging specifications. Our large facility allows for a controlled flow of goods with 17 shipping bays dedicated for receiving or shipping to ensure the safe and efficient handling of all incoming and outgoing products. Our ERP system tracks all items in components throughout the entire kitting process.

PPS adds value to the supply chain of many businesses with accurate and efficient kitting and assembly services delivered on time. Our automated equipment and dedicated, skilled staff work together to improve our customers’ product kitting processes and operating efficiencies. Contact us to learn how kitting, and assembly can improve your business operations and for more information on how ERP improves kitting and assembly.

Types of Flexible Packaging

Types of Flexible Packaging

Flexible packaging is increasing in use to replace rigid packaging materials such as corrugated boxes and plastic containers across many market segments for a wide variety of products. Flexible packaging is becoming more common for products being shipped to consumers, items stored in inventory, or packed in off-the-shelf packaging for direct retail sales. This is due to the many advantages that flexible packaging provides to companies and consumers.

Benefits of Flexible Packaging

According to the Flexible Packaging Association, the many advantages are driving product manufacturers to increase usage of flexible packaging, whether looking to increase brand awareness, protect products, or save money. Flexible packaging is lighter weight than other rigid material types, creating a smaller carbon footprint for flex pack manufacturers as well as end-user consumers.

Large rows of bags that can lay flat on a tractor-trailer can ship more product per truckload than boxes with wasted space, saving and transportation costs and fuel. Flex packaging provides benefits to all stakeholders and is also better for the environment. Flex packaging types and various film options provide the product protection necessary with durable yet sustainable options.

Types of Flexible Packaging

Flexible packaging is just as it sounds, flexible rather than rigid. This includes a variety of plastic bag types such as pouches that can stand up, or lay flat, or be designed to hang on a display.

Pouches: Stand-Up, Lay Flat, Hanging – Pouches can be custom designed by the company to display pertinent nutritional information about food items, instructions, or brand marketing messages. The type of packaging material can be designed in various finish options such as a matte or gloss finish, metalized or soft-touch. Flexible bags and pouches can include clouded or transparent windows, allowing consumers to see what’s inside.

Flexible Pouch Features: Stand-up pouches are typically designed to stand out on the shelf, with various features such as tear notches or zip closures, and hanging pouches include holes ready for hanging. Child-resistant features are also available. Pouches designed to lay flat come in a variety of sizes to meet various product needs.

Flexible Packaging Films: There are a variety of flexible packaging films to choose from, such as polyolefin, high-density, and low-density polyethylene, and various other polymers are chosen to meet product requirements. Flexible packaging films can provide moisture resistance, blocking moisture, oxygen, and even odor from exiting or entering the bag. Durable, flexible films can protect a variety of products with tear and puncture-resistant materials to prevent damage in transit and in storage. Flexible bags can be printed on and customized to meet labeling requirements or to improve company brand awareness.

Custom Flexible Packaging Services

Working with an experienced, flexible re-packaging provider delivers even greater benefits to companies in addition to the flex packaging advantages. Peoria Production Solutions, PPS, is an experienced flex packaging provider delivering value-added production solutions for over 80 years. We offer our customers expertise with many secondary packaging solutions, including flex packaging and auto bagging.

PPS offers a large, state-of-the-art facility combined with a highly skilled and trained staff and the capacity to make custom packaging requirements. We utilize automated equipment, including:

  • Auto bag filling
  • Heat sealing
  • Heat tunnels
  • Shrink sleeves
  • Vertical continuous band sealer
  • Hot stamp imprinter

Peoria Production Solutions is a leading contract packaging company providing value-added services to businesses of all sizes, including some of the largest Fortune 100 companies in the country. We follow strict quality policies and lean production practices.

PPS is a leading Midwest contract packager providing a variety of secondary packaging solutions such as flexible packaging, kitting, assembly, wrapping, variety and gift set packaging, and other packaging solutions. Contact us with any questions and learn how to improve your product packaging requirements with an experienced, flexible packaging provider.

Club Store Packaging 101

Club Store Packaging

Club stores like Costco and Sam’s Club enjoy a great customer base of people who love to shop there, with the great deals on so many different products being the main reason. Do you know one of the biggest reasons why club stores can offer such great deals? Specially designed, club store packaging provides many benefits to club stores and shoppers, and allows companies to offer discounted prices.

What Is Club Store Packaging?

Have you ever shopped in Sam’s Club or Costco and noticed the large skids of products scattered about with items ready to go? These club-store packaging displays give you all of the information that you need, with products packaged in ready-to-go packaging. Club store packaging is typically comprised of skids or pallets with point-of-purchase displays ready to unwrap and put on the floor.

Companies that design club store packaging displays need experienced contract packaging providers to package their products in appealing blister packs or clamshell packaging, contained in attractive displays with clear labeling and marketing messages.

Club Store Packaging Requirements

Club stores require packaging that is durable and designed to withstand a fast-paced shipping model. Skids that are easily transported and packaging that can be unwrapped and ready to display quickly are ideal and club stores like Costco and Sam’s Club. While club stores have certain requirements for product packaging for their displays, companies have a lot of leeway with design and getting their marketing message across.

Club stores allow for greater use of flexible packaging in display-ready containers. This is better for the environment with increased sustainability in packaging and display of products. Food packaging products should have all pertinent messages clearly displayed, such as ingredients and expiration dates. The best club store packaging designs provide clear visibility of all products on a pallet from all angles.

Companies that sell their products in club stores often outsource their packaging to a contract packaging company with experience in flexible packaging and point-of-purchase displays.

Contract Packaging Solutions with Cub Store And POP Display Experience

Contract packaging companies with experience in flexible packaging and point-of-purchase (POP) displays provide many benefits to companies such. Companies that distribute their products in club stores can ship all necessary materials to a contract packager with experience in secondary packaging procedures, allowing the company to focus on their niche manufacturing. Partnering with a contract packager allows for increased production and sales, while delivering high-quality products professionally packaged to retail and club-store specifications.

Peoria Production Solutions, PPS, is a leading Midwest contract packaging company, with more than 80 years of experience in a variety of secondary packaging solutions. We offer a large state-of-the-art, modern facility combined with a highly trained, skilled staff committed to total customer satisfaction. PPS provides secondary packaging solutions including:

    • Point-of-purchase (POP) displays
    • Kitting
    • Assembly
    • Club store packaging
    • Blister packs
    • Clamshell packaging
    • Bag and pouch filling
    • Cello wrapping

PPS offers these secondary packaging solutions and many others with experience in a variety of flexible packaging materials and processes. We follow strict quality procedures and lean production practices with training, cross-training, and exercises like value stream mapping to improve productivity and reduce waste. Our >enterprise resource planning (ERP) system provides complete lot code traceability of all customer-supplied material for full accountability.

PPS offers solutions where other contract packagers fail with a fully sustainable, not-for-profit organization committed to our customer success. We provide contract packaging solutions that meet your quality specifications and budgetary goals. Contact us to learn more about improving your club store packaging and display process with an experienced contract packaging company.

What Is the Best Flexible Packaging for My Products?

Best Flexible Packaging

Flexible films are used to wrap and protect a wide variety of products in industrial and consumer market applications. Flexible packaging films protect product freshness, ensure food safety, and extend shelf life with lightweight protective barriers.

The Benefits of Flexible Packaging Films

There are a wide array of benefits of the use of flexible packaging, such as lighter weight than other packaging media, which allows for shipping more products with less fuel costs. Flexible packaging is a more environmentally friendly type of packaging to produce and use, requiring less energy to manufacture and transport. Flexible packaging generates less greenhouse gases throughout the entire product lifecycle resulting in less consumer waste in landfills.

Considerations When Choosing Flexible Films

An experienced, flexible packaging provider will have the most information to help you evaluate the many considerations when choosing the right flexible film to meet your packaging needs. You will want to consider:

  • The type of product you are packaging, including the shape, weight, and dimensions
  • The type of packaging required, whether manual or with automated machinery
  • The product’s function and packaging requirements such as freshness, barriers to moisture and/or oxygen, or tamper-resistant
  • The product’s lifecycle including future handling, storage, environmental exposure, and shelf-ready display requirements

Which Flexible Film Type Is Best for My Product?

When a flexible film is determined to be the desired flexible packaging choice, there are a variety of options to choose from. Some of the most common flexible films include:

  • Polyolefin (POF)
  • High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
  • Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
  • Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)
  • Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE)

Polyolefin (POF)

Polyolefin is a versatile, durable material and is FDA approved for food safety. POF provides incredible strength and resistance to punctures, making POF ideal for odd-shaped products. POF shrink film is 100% recyclable and is used to protect many common products such as food items, candy, books, games, toys, retail items and consumer products.

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

HDPE is a polyethylene type of thermoplastic produced from petroleum. HDPE provides a high strength-to-density ratio and is used to produce things like plastic bottles, milk jugs, construction materials and corrosion-resistant piping. HDPE is quite versatile and recyclable in both flexible bag form and rigid container form. Examples include plastic bags used as cereal box liners, and thin plastic bags found in the produce section or used as bread wrappers. HDPE is also used as a stretch wrapping packaging for bundling and provides breathability to products with convenience on a large roll.

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

LDPE is similar to HDPE, although with a lower density, which means it has less mass when comparing volume. LDPE is resistant to chemicals, moisture, and impact and is also recyclable. LDPE is ideal in products such as container lids, caps, bottles, flexible cable and wire applications, and in processes where heat sealing is required.

Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)

LLDPE is one of the most commonly used flexible films used in flexible packaging, providing the greatest flexibility of all polyethylene films. LLDPE is a mixed form of LDPE with greater conformability ideal for stretching and greater strength. LLDPE does not shrink like other flexible films and can protect heavy loads in transit, providing greater protection than typical shrink wrapping films. LLDPE is commonly used in palletizing applications.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE)

PET is recognized as a lightweight, flexible and strong material that is also recyclable. PET has common uses in plastic bottles for beverages such as water, juice, sports drinks and more. PET is often used in injection molded products, including jars and microwavable food trays.

To help determine the best type of flexible film for your flexible packaging requirements, contact a contract packager like Peoria Production Solutions, PPS.

PPS offers more than 80 years of experience in providing high-quality contract packaging services to some of the largest companies in the country. We meet the requirements of businesses large and small with a large modern facility and a dedicated, highly skilled and trained staff. Contact us to learn more when choosing your flexible film and for high-quality, cost-efficient flexible packaging solutions.

Shrink Wrapping Retail Products

Shrink Wrapping Retail Products

Shrink wrapping is one of the best types of secondary packaging that provides many benefits to a wide variety of products. Shrink wrapping protects items with a tight seal while still providing clear visibility for brand awareness and marketing messages. Shrink wrapping provides an upscale, polished look to many products and is a cost-effective way to maintain the integrity and appearance of items on the shelves.

What Is Shrink Wrapping?

Shrink wrapping is enclosing items in a plastic film which is then exposed to heat and shrinks to form around the item. PVC and polyolefin are two common materials used in the shrink-wrapping process, although other materials exist as well. The material that best suits your shrink-wrapping project is mainly determined by the level of protection your items need.

When choosing the best shrink-wrapped material for your process, companies should consider the following factors:

  • The conditions your items are exposed to during transportation and storage
  • The shape and weight of products and if any sharp edges will puncture the shrink wrap
  • The amount of time products are on the shelf or in storage
  • The desired final appearance of shrink-wrapped products

Options for Shrink Wrapping Retail Products

Two popular options for shrink wrapping products include cello wrap and multipacks. Cello wrap encloses items in a clear cellophane wrapping which is efficient for high-volume production runs. Clear cello wrap is available in different thicknesses with varying levels of protection to meet industry and shelf life requirements. Cello wrap is also easy to print on, allowing for customization with marketing, product warnings or usage instructions.

Shrink Wrapping for Multi-Packs

Shrink wrapping is common when creating multipacks for bundled items, 28 items typically sold together are easier to purchase. Multipacks are often used for gift items or to increase the perceived value of products. Shrink-wrapped bundled products can be placed directly on shelves already in attractive packaging.

Common Shrink-Wrapped Products

Shrink wrapping provides packaging solutions to a variety of industries and products with protective, attractive packaging that is easily customizable. Some of the most common types of shrink-wrapped products include:

  • DVDs and CDs
  • Cosmetics
  • Boardgames
  • Books
  • Posters
  • Software
  • Candy
  • Calendars
  • Picture frames
  • Office supplies
  • Consumer electronics
  • Twin packs of items including aerosols

These are all examples of some of the numerous items that are shrink-wrapped for product protection and added consumer appeal.

Vendor Considerations for Shrink Wrapping Projects

When evaluating your outsourcing shrink wrapping needs, you will want to consider some important factors:

  • The overall package size to be shrink-wrapped
  • The volume of your production run
  • Final packing specifications
  • Lead times
  • Shrink wrapping experience and equipment

Contract packaging providers offering shrink wrapping services should have experience in shrink wrapping with the automated equipment and staff to meet your volume and lead time requirements.

PPS Offers Contract Packaging and Shrink Wrapping

Peoria Production Solutions, PPS, is a leading contract packaging company with more than 80 years of experience, offering various flexible packaging solutions including shrink wrapping. PPS provides high-quality packaging and wrapping services with the capacity and staff to meet your lead time and production volume requirements. As a not-for-profit packaging company, PPS offers high-quality packaging services that meet your production and budgetary goals.

PPS is an experienced contract packager providing high-quality packaging services following strict quality procedures as part of our ISO9001:2015 registration. We provide production solutions with quick turnaround time allowing customers to focus on their niche manufacturing with worry-free packaging they can rely on. Contact us to learn more about our secondary and flexible packaging solutions, including shrink wrapping.

Types of POP Displays and Packaging Solutions

POP DisplaysPoint-of-purchase (POP) displays are used in various types of businesses and stores to feature particular products with specialized marketing display material. POP displays are used to focus consumer attention on specific brands or products. These types of displays are often seen near checkouts or featured prominently in the center of aisles or in areas of high consumer traffic. The goal of POP displays is to increase the likelihood of a purchase, whereas broad marketing campaigns attempt to increase interest in the store as a whole.

There are many types of POP displays in various ways to market merchandise to increase consumer attention and convert shoppers to buyers. It is helpful to realize the various types of POP displays available to choose the best display option for your products.

Many Types of POP Displays

There are a variety of POP display types to market brands and products. The most popular pop display types include:

    • Freestanding

– freestanding POP displays standalone to draw attention to specific products throughout the store. They are typically constructed with corrugated and allow businesses to showcase a creative presentation.

    • Countertop

– countertop displays feature smaller items and typically fall into the category of impulse purchases. These are often located at checkout counters and feature small items like snacks, candy bars, lighters, batteries, and any number of small items a consumer may need and forgot to purchase during their visit.

    • Endcap

– these displays are what you see at the end of aisles to capture the attention of shoppers as they roam the store going aisle to aisle.

    • Banner stands

– banner stands are larger in design than other types of POP displays and feature standalone signage to attract consumer attention. Banner stands typically feature signage for information and can be located anywhere in the store as they normally do not actually physically hold products but provide messaging to consumers. They are versatile and can be moved in different places throughout a store.

    • Dump bins

– dump bins provide a practical option to feature small, individually packaged items such as toys, health and beauty products, candy, and various other small goods.

    • Gravity fed displays

– these types of POP displays are ideal for products that either do not stack well or are packaged in bags. Examples include gravity fed displays to release products like lip balm, cosmetics, and many other items.

Temporary POP Displays

POP displays can be temporary, which is the most common type of POP retail display. They are typically constructed with cardboard and are available in various sizes, such as full aisle displays are countertop displays. Temporary displays can feature products like clearance items, books, DVDs, and various consumer goods. Some types of temporary POP displays can even be constructed with the product itself, such as the stacks of cases of soda, water, or beer we often see in grocery stores.

Semi-permanent POP Displays

Semipermanent point-of-purchase displays are made of somewhat sturdier material than temporary displays, such as heavier cardboard, wood, hard plastics, or metal. They can range in size from countertop to full-size displays at the ends of aisles. Semi-permanent displays can hold sturdier products such as shampoo, electronics, and many other types of high-end consumer goods.

Secondary And POP Display Packaging Solutions

Peoria production solutions, PPS, has been providing secondary packaging and POP display assembly solutions to a wide range of businesses for more than 80 years. We offer in-depth expertise in packaging techniques and packaging types to assist our customers with vast market knowledge. PPS offers a wide range of secondary packaging solutions that make your products display ready with appealing display packaging that promotes brand awareness.

PPS is a leader among contract packaging providers offering decades of experience, a skilled workforce, and automated packaging equipment. We follow strict quality policies as part of our ISO9001:2015 certification with a skilled workforce dedicated to exceeding customer expectations. Contact us to learn more about the many options for your product packaging and the various types of POP displays.

The Many Benefits Contract Packagers Offer Manufacturers

Benefits of Using Contract Packagers

Packaging is an important part of the manufacturing process yet oftentimes packaging operations managers are focused on deadlines and costs rather than implementing strategies to retain and attract customers. Consumers play one of the most important roles in the packaging process, and businesses that pay attention to consumer demands and interests will reap the benefits.

Manufacturers that work with contract packagers are poised to experience many benefits due to the extensive knowledge and expertise they bring to the packaging industry.

Contract Packagers Provide Many Benefits to Manufacturers

When manufacturers partner with a contract packaging company, they should determine the specific packaging operations that are poised to outsource in a standalone process. A company should evaluate the capabilities of the contract packager, including capacity, technology, quality control, and experienced manpower. Collaborating with a contract packager should contribute to a manufacturer’s productivity and profitability.

Some of the most recognized benefits of outsourcing to a contract packager include:

Reduced costs and increased profit
Outsourcing to contract packaging companies eliminates the need for manufacturers to invest in facility capacity, labor, materials, and equipment associated with the packaging process. Floorspace and money saved can be invested into a company’s niche manufacturing production process for greater profitability.

Greater flexibility with more packaging options

An experienced contract packager is familiar with the many types of packaging materials and can offer suggestions that may provide greater consumer appeal, product protection, or brand awareness. Manufacturers may not be fully aware of the continually evolving trends in packaging that appeal to consumers, such as sustainability, flexibility, and environmentally friendly options.

Increased output and quicker lead times

Since contract packagers focus on packaging as their area of expertise and already have the staff, capacity, and equipment to perform packaging processes quickly, manufacturers can receive packaged products back even faster than performing this process in-house. This improves internal efficiencies, on-time deliveries, and customer satisfaction.

Value added packaging processes

Most contract packagers are familiar with the many value-added services that enhance packaging such as barcoding, protective packaging with various types of dunnage, sewing, wrapping, palletizing, and shipping.

Great option for seasonal, short-term packaging needs

Businesses that experience an increase in seasonal product output can experience significant benefits by outsourcing to contract packagers. This eliminates the need to hire additional staff just for packaging, saving on labor, training expenses, benefits, payroll, and administrative duties for a short-term increase in packaging needs.

PPS Offers Professional and Experienced Contract Packaging

Peoria Production Solutions, PPS, has been providing contract packaging services since 1941, offering more than 80 years of experience. We are an industry-leading contract packager in Illinois, providing secondary production solutions to businesses of all sizes, including some of the largest fortune 100 companies in the country. We follow strict quality policies as part of our ISO9001:2015 certification and provide full lot code traceability and accountability of customer supplied material with our Enterprise Resource Planning, ERP, system.

PPS differs from other contract packagers in our mission which is focused on providing employment to our select group of highly skilled, dedicated employees. We partner with our customers to provide the highest level of quality and service, offering decades of expertise and insight into the latest packaging trends. Contact us to learn more about the many benefits we provide as an experienced, leading contract packaging company.

Future Trends in Secondary Packaging

Secondary Packaging Trends

 

Secondary packaging describes the packaging used for transporting products and for displaying branding loyalty of prepackaged products. Secondary packaging differs from primary packaging as it does not come into direct contact with the products, although both packaging types do sometimes converge. Typical examples of secondary packaging include cardboard boxes, cartons, and plastic crates, among others.

The Role of Secondary Packaging

The role of secondary packaging is mainly to protect packaged products and to keep primary packaging intact. Corrugated, boards, and paper are the largest product segments used for secondary packaging with trends expected to continue to grow. Newer materials being used for secondary packaging include pulp-based material, ethylene-based resins, and thin seal nonpetroleum and polypropylene-based products.

Opportunities and Drivers for the Secondary Packaging Market

Secondary packaging plays a vital role in transporting a variety of goods and products, and when shipping many types of products must ensure adequate protection, such as when transporting medical-grade products. Many manufacturers and product brands are putting more focus recently on secondary packaging materials produced with sustainable methods that provide biodegradability and weight reduction.

Another consideration is self-display capabilities, such as unwrapping a skid of products in a wholesale consumer store where the primary packaged products are ready for sale. Many shelf-ready displays require that the lower part of the case remains on the shelf with proper graphics and branding and the ability to survive the logistics of the supply chain.

Oftentimes the retailer mandates the type of secondary packaging they will accept.
Product protection is always a role of secondary packaging, as well as convenience with SKU proliferation, traceability and product security.

The most important trends driving the secondary packaging market include:

  • Product protection
  • Weight reduction
  • Display ready cartons
  • Variety packs / multi-packs
  • Sustainable, biodegradable, or recyclable materials
  • Traceability and product security

Many brands are altering other aspects of their secondary packaging process to meet logistics requirements and branding mandates of retailers along with better suiting the needs of customers. The largest format changes are geared mainly towards material reduction and improving operational efficiency. Many companies are changing their secondary packaging strategies with these goals in mind with strategies such as:

    • Replacing corrugated packaging with shrink wrap film
    • Switching to display-ready, wraparound cases
    • Replacing cases with rigid trays
    • Evaluating sealing options with glue or tape
    • Switching to flexible packaging in sealable bags

Working with an experienced secondary packaging provider can help you to understand your options and how to improve the quality and efficiency of your packaging process.

PPS Offers Experienced Secondary Packaging Solutions

Peoria Production Solutions, PPS, provides contract packaging, repackaging, and secondary packaging solutions for companies of all sizes. We offer more than 80 years of experience operating as a fully sustainable not-for-profit company focused on high-quality secondary production solutions customized to the needs of our customers. PPS follows a strict quality policy as part of our ISO9001:2015 certification and is dedicated to ongoing employee training and continual improvement in every process.

We offer a large, modern, state-of-the-art facility with the capacity to set up customized packaging workstations to meet the needs of our customers. We provide high-quality production solutions for some of the largest Fortune 100 companies in the country and small to mid-sized OEMs, adding value with quality products and services delivered on time.

We are experienced in all types of secondary packaging and continually invest in automated equipment such as auto bagging and weighing. PPS provides experienced palletizing services and more than 17 shipping and receiving bays for optimized flow of goods. Our Enterprise Resource Planning, ERP, system allows for complete lot-code product traceability and full accountability of all customer-supplied material.

PPS is an industry-leading Midwest production solutions provider, offering contract packaging, wrapping, kitting, assembly, sewing, and other processes customized to improve your production efficiency. We differ from other packaging providers with our focus on jobs and our employees over profits, allowing the flexibility to meet your production and budgetary goals. Contact us to learn more about future trends in secondary packaging and how to improve your packaging process.

Contract Packaging Guide

Contract Packaging Guide

Contract packaging companies provide valuable services to a wide range of industries, packaging many types of products such as various consumer goods, hardware, pharmaceuticals, electronics, food, beverages, construction materials and so much more. Peoria Production Solutions has provided quality contract packaging services for more than 80 years. In addition to customized, quality packaging services we provide on-time delivery with wrapping, palletizing, and shipping to your specifications.

We offer a wide range of contract packaging, packing, repackaging, and secondary packaging solutions, as detailed in this Contract Packaging Guide.

Contract Secondary Packaging Solutions

Outsourcing your secondary packaging processes to a contract packaging company can provide many benefits over performing packaging in-house. PPS offers a wide range of quality secondary packaging processes with a skilled workforce and strict quality control. As a not-for-profit, fully sustainable company we provide the most cost-efficient secondary packaging services available.

Our secondary packaging services can provide added layers of protection, increase your branding, and make your products ready for display. We have the capacity and resources to customize packaging processes to meet your needs with full quality control and product traceability. Types of secondary packaging processes we are experienced with include the following:

Kitting and assembly – kitting and assembly provide many benefits to a wide range of industries and applications with kitted products organized and available for use on a manufacturing line or for direct retail sale.
Clamshell packaging – clamshell packaging can be performed with a variety of materials such as cardboard, phone, or see-through plastic for visibility.
Club packs – club packs display products for retail sale and often require visible information such as lot or date codes.
Variety packaging – we offer quality variety pack packaging customized to showcase your featured items in one newly assembled package.
Gift set packaging – gift set packaging provides customized packaging solutions with a variety of materials, colors, and designs, and labeling to showcase specific products.
Bag filling – filling bags and pouches is a good option for flexible packaging solutions. PPS offers quality bag filling with automated backfilling equipment, feed systems, and scales for high accuracy.
Point-of-purchase displays – point-of-purchase, POP, displays are packed with a wide range of materials with aesthetically appealing designs geared toward a positive consumer experience and increasing brand awareness.
Cello wrapping – PPS offers cello wrapping services, tightly wrapping products and biodegradable cellophane and heat sealing for a protective and neat closure.
Repackaging – repackaging products quickly to customer specifications is often required to meet production deadlines.
Fulfillment – PPS provides shipping and fulfillment solutions with our Midwest central location near Chicago O’Hare International Airport and the toll road, and our state-of-the-art facility with 15 shipping and receiving docks.
Palletizing – PPS is experiencing palletizing your products in the most efficient method, stacked and wrapped for safety and quality product delivery.

Peoria Production Solutions provides these contract packaging and secondary packaging solutions and others, customized to meet your specific requirements. We differ from other packaging companies in our commitment to customer success and our skilled workforce. As a fully sustainable, not-for-profit contract packager, we offer high-quality packaging services at the most cost-efficient solution for our customers.

PPS has been an industry-leading contract packaging company for more than 80 years, embracing growth through research, development, and innovation since our founding in 1941. We offer a wide range of secondary and contract packaging services, customized to meet the needs of companies of all sizes including Fortune 100 OEMs, and small and midsize businesses. Contact us to learn how to improve your packaging process with quality and cost-efficient contract packaging services.