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25
Sep
2020

Tips for Finding the Right Co-Packer

by Michael Kotendzhi | Warehousing, Trucking, Logistics
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Finding the right co-packer is not an easy decision. Comparing your options, looking at specific details, and understanding your needs will help you find the perfect co-packer for you. In order to find the perfect one to fit your needs, and ensure growth and development for your business, continue reading the below for several tips for finding the right co-packer.

Match Up Needs and Services

After establishing what you are looking for in a co-packer, it is extremely important to match up your needs to the services offered by the co-packers you are considering. Doing this allows you to look at the different areas of expertise and decide which areas will best benefit your company.

This is not a part of the process that you can just skip through. Take your time to look in detail at all the different options, allow yourself to weigh the different pros and cons, and establish what you actually need from the co-packer partnership.

Educate Yourself on Different Co-Packers

Look more in-depth at the different co-packers you are considering. Not only can you investigate their reputation, but you can also consider their certifications at this point in the process. Looking at how long a co-packer has been in operation, as well as their level of expertise in different areas, will help make your decision easier down the line.

This step allows you to better outline the co-packers that could be a good fit for you. Nobody wants a co-packer that is not dedicated to quality and safety. Doing this research will allow you to eliminate any options that might fall into a sub-par category.

Look at Facilities

Taking a tour of the different facilities allows you to better understand the teams and equipment that would be part of your partnership. Being able to walk through the process and see firsthand how workers would handle your product allows you to have more details so you can make an educated decision.  ​

While doing the walkthrough, make sure you pay attention to sanitization, safety, organization, and overall morale. All these things matter at the end of the day. 

​Establish Good Communication 

​From the beginning of this process, good solid communication is key. If you and a prospective co-packer cannot communicate well, they are probably not the partnership for you. It is important that you can communicate and work with your co-packer, especially during more high-intensity situations, such as in the event problems or issues occur. Having an open level of good communication is an absolute necessity.  

​All these tips for finding the right co-packer will help you make an informed and educated decision for your company. Following these tips will give you the confidence to choose a partnership that will allow your business to continue to grow and develop. Check out our team at 18Wheels to see if we could be the best fit for your co-packer and container delivery needs in Vancouver


Michael Kotendzhi is President of Operations & Transportation and a partner at 18 Wheels. Michael has over 15 years of experience and is equipped with a degree in Logistics from the University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business. As well as a background in logistics from XPO Logistics (formally Kelron Logistics), North America's largest contract warehousing provider.

Michael's experience includes supply chain management, reverse logistics, & domestic transportation. He has developed 18 Wheels' trucking solutions, effectively utilizing the sister company's vehicle fleet and building a transportation supply-chain network across North America.