The True Value of a Great Packaging Partner

Packaging plays a vital role in today’s fast-paced business landscape, ensuring product protection, preservation, and presentation. As the packaging industry continues to grow and adapt to changing market demands, it’s crucial for companies to stay ahead and offer exceptional packaging solutions. To provide insights into this dynamic landscape, we have developed Packaging Talks – a series of conversational panels with Crawford’s packaging experts. Whether you’re a business owner, a packaging professional, or simply curious, our panels aim to offer valuable information and inspiration.

In this installment of our Packaging Talks, we chat with Kyle Kuska, Crawford’s Packaging Specialist, about the difference a great packaging supplier can make.

What sets a great packaging partner apart from the rest??

There are many factors to consider, but in my opinion, the most critical differentiator is the value a partner brings beyond just products. It’s relatively easy to sell packaging consumables and equipment, but not every company has the experience, knowledge, resources and dedication to truly understand your business and offer custom solutions that both improve productivity and lower costs.

A great packaging partner will do more than just provide products—they’ll work to streamline your operations. This could start with a thorough assessment of your current packaging processes, identifying inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement. From there, they’ll recommend solutions like automation – such as tray sealers, case erectors, or automatic mailers – based on your business’s specific needs, to speed up production, reduce manual labour, and enhance the quality and consistency of your packaging process. And it’s not just about automation; it’s also about ensuring your equipment runs at peak performance and that you’re using the right type and amount of packaging materials to secure your products effectively.

Can you give us an example of that?

Sure! There are many examples. For instance, I’ve seen many customers use the same stretch wrapper and film settings for years, wondering why they still experience product damages. Overwrapping a skid to secure products, only to have them damaged in transit, wastes both material and money. A true partner will identify these issues, correct them, and set you up for long-term success. They look at the relationship holistically, ensuring that their recommendations genuinely improve your operation rather than just increasing your spend.

And how can a packaging partner minimize your costs beyond just offering lower prices?

That’s an excellent question. It’s all about the approach. A best-in-class packaging partner will focus on key areas of your operation, such as material optimization, process improvement, and equipment efficiency, to drive cost reduction. Instead of just cutting prices, they’ll look at reducing waste, streamlining processes, and improving your overall operation.

Best-in-class suppliers offer complete solutions, including equipment, consumables, and technical services. Only by understanding the full cycle of your operations can they provide the support you need, tailored to your industry, requirements, and products. When your consumables are properly matched with your products and fully compatible with the equipment, your process will operate more efficiently.

Also, having a partner who provides technical support, including preventative maintenance, emergency repairs, and spare parts, ensures you’re in a safe zone where downtime is minimized. This support translates directly into cost savings. There’s nothing worse than equipment breaking down in the middle of your busiest season without reliable service. All of this contributes to minimizing your costs, and the examples are countless.