Finding the Right Candy Co-Packer: What Brands Need to Know

The candy industry is evolving, with brands looking for efficient, scalable ways to bring their products to market. Whether launching a new line of gummies, chocolates, or hard candies, partnering with a candy co-packer can streamline production while maintaining quality.

But how do you find the right co-packer for your brand? And what should you look for when evaluating potential partners?

What is a candy co-packer?

A candy co-packer (or contract packager) is a third-party company that handles the packaging and sometimes the production of candy products. They work with brands that want to scale without investing in their own manufacturing and packaging equipment.

A reliable co-packer ensures that products meet food safety regulations, maintain quality, and are ready for retail or wholesale distribution.

The benefits of using a candy co-packer

For candy brands, outsourcing packaging (and in some cases, manufacturing) to a co-packer offers several advantages:

Scalability
Whether you need to produce thousands or millions of units, a co-packer has the infrastructure to handle large orders.
Cost efficiency
Instead of investing in expensive equipment, brands can work with an established co-packer that already has automated systems in place.
Retail-ready compliance
Co-packers help ensure packaging meets retailer and regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of compliance issues.
Focus on brand growth
With packaging and production handled, brands can focus on marketing, distribution, and expanding their product lines.

Key factors to consider when choosing a candy co-packer

Not all candy co-packers are the same, and selecting the right partner is crucial for product success. Here are a few key considerations:

Packaging capabilities

  • Can they handle the packaging format you need (e.g., stand-up pouches, flow wraps)?
  • Do they offer labeling and retail-ready solutions?

Food safety and quality standards

Experience with candy products

  • Have they worked with similar candy types before?
  • Do they understand the unique challenges of handling ingredients like chocolate, gummies, or sugar-based confections?

Minimum order quantities (MOQs)

  • Does their production volume align with your needs?
  • Can they support your growth as demand increases?

Turnaround time and lead times

  • How quickly can they fulfill an order?
  • Do they have the capacity to meet tight deadlines for retail launches?

Additional services

Do they offer secondary packaging like multi-packs or promotional bundling?

Can they help with logistics, warehousing, or distribution?

Is a candy co-packer the right choice for your brand?

For brands looking to scale efficiently, partnering with a candy co-packer can be a strategic move. It allows you to get your products into retail stores, e-commerce platforms, and wholesale distribution channels without the burden of in-house production.

If you’re exploring co-packing options for your candy brand, working with an experienced partner ensures quality, compliance, and efficiency.

Looking for a trusted candy co-packer? Send Econo-Pak your project details below to see how we can help bring your product to market with fixed-cost pricing.

Let's start scaling.

Is your demand outpacing your ability to package your own product? Then consider outsourcing with Econo-Pak.

With over 40 years of experience working with both small brands and Fortune 500 companies, we are capable of handling your specific dry food product.

Get in touch with our team for a fixed-price quote for your project.

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