Packaging is important not just for the presentation of your product but also to ensure that it reaches your customer in the way you intended. Let’s say you’re retailing ground espresso coffee. You need packaging that keeps the coffee grinds protected from moisture in the air, etc. and in a way that’s easy to transport. But, the foil tetra pack you use to package coffee can’t be used to package heavy machinery – you need material that is much sturdier. When you work with a packaging company in India, you can rest assured that your product will be well packed and presented. So, how do you find the right company? Here are a few tips.
Ask for recommendations
If you search for a packaging company in India online, you’ll see a never ending list of companies. It isn’t necessary that the companies on the first page of search results are the best companies – they simply have the best marketing teams. Judging companies simply by their websites may be difficult. Instead, it is better to begin your search by asking friends and acquaintances for recommendations. You don’t need to blindly agree with someone recommendation, but it’s a good starting point.
Get multiple quotes
Just as there are no charges for window shopping at retail outlets, there’s no harm in getting quotes from multiple vendors. Getting multiple quotes gives you an idea of the average pricing and puts you in a better position to negotiate. When you ask for quotations, ensure that the company understand the scope of work required. Ask for a breakdown of costs so that you can understand the pricing structure. For example, if you need your products packed in retail packaging and then in wholesale packages, you need to make sure the company understand that there are two levels of packaging.
Check the relevancy of the company’s experience
When you visit a packaging company’s website, you may see that they have 12 years’ experience. However, is that experience relevant to you? It’s not just the number of years to consider. Let’s say you deal with processed foods. Rather than working with a company that has 20 years of experience in packaging machine parts, it may be better to work with a company that has just 5 years of experience in processed food. Though the number of years may be lower, the company understands the nuances of packaging processed food products and will be able to suggest better materials and techniques.
Understand the company’s capabilities
Ideally, you want to work with the same company for all your packaging requirements. So, you need to understand their capabilities and see how it matches your company’s growth plan. For example, let’s say you are currently retailing melamine crockery to the local market. But, a year from now, you may want to start a glass crockery range too and may start retailing internationally. Thus the packaging needs change completely. So, think about where you may be a few years from today and ensure that the packaging company you sign on with can match your growth plans.
The trust factor
Most importantly, the packaging company you finally choose to work with should be one that you can trust. This depends on many factors. The company representative you’ve been speaking to should communicate well and be prompt with responses. The transparency with which the company talks of their services will also influence the trust you have in the company. When you ask for recommendations, talk to your friends about the experience they’ve had and how reliable the company’s services have been. You can get an idea of how reliable the company is by reading online testimonials as well.
To sum it up, when you’re looking for a packaging company, make sure you choose a company that is reliable and known for good quality service. Working with a packaging company in India gives you peace of mind and lets you focus on other tasks where your true expertise lies. The company will have access to the right kind of packaging materials as well as equipment needed to use these materials. For example, if you choose to package your products in heat shrink film, you will need a heat gun too.