Businesses in the food industry must be able to efficiently and consistently deliver high-quality products, which is where food co-packers can help. Food co-packers, or contract packagers, can help optimize your operations by improving efficiency, scaling production, and keeping food products consistent.

Benefits of Using a Food Co-Packer

There are multiple benefits of using a food co-packer to improve your operations, including:

• Efficiency and cost-effectiveness: Co-packers can streamline production and reduce operational costs by streamlining scalability and giving you access to advanced processing equipment.
• Expertise and resources: Food co-packers also have the industry knowledge and infrastructure necessary to give you the results you need.
• Scalability and flexibility: The right co-packer will be able to adapt to your needs as they change, whether you need to scale up or down based on demand.
• Focus on core competencies: You’ll be able to focus more on your core business while your co-packing partners take over production tasks, freeing you up to spend more time and energy on product development, marketing, and other essential business areas.

Determining Your Food Co-Packing Needs

Here are some aspects to think about when integrating the services of a food co-packer:

• Product type and complexity: Your specific product type and its complexity should match the co-packer’s expertise.
• Production volume and frequency: It’s also crucial to align your unique production requirements with the co-packer’s contract packaging solutions, which could range from auger and cup filling to cartoning and repackaging.
• Distribution requirements: You may have specific distribution needs that the co-packer must be able to meet.
• Regulatory compliance and certifications: Your co-packer should also be capable of adhering to food industry safety standards and certifications, along with your own company’s unique standards and requirements.

6 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Food Co-Packer

The following are some critical factors that go into selecting a food co-packer.

1. Location and Proximity

The ideal co-packer will be close to your operations to facilitate effective collaboration and reduced shipping expenses.

2. Industry Experience

Look for a co-packer with experience in your niche—the right co-packer will have experience handling a wide range of products and understand the needs of each product type.

3. Production Capabilities

Assess the co-packer’s equipment, facilities, and technology. For instance, you might look for a co-packer with a large facility and extensive equipment for packaging and other production processes.

4. Quality Control and Safety Standards

Food co-packers should maintain safety and quality across operations using compliant equipment and quality assurance teams. The right co-packer will adhere to rigorous standards for sanitation, employee training, product traceability, allergen control, and more.

5. Capacity and Lead Times

Your co-packer should also be able to meet all deadlines and keep your operations on track.

One way a co-packer can facilitate this is the use of robotics. Automated robotic systems can perform labor-intensive, repetitive tasks with greater speed and efficiency than human workers. These solutions also optimize quality and scalability through their programming, and they can operate 24/7 for continuous production. Using robotics also reduces safety risks in the workplace by completing potentially dangerous tasks in place of employees.

6. References and Reputation

Find out what kind of reputation the co-packer has by reading reviews and learning about the experience that others had with the company.

Food Co-Packer Contractual Considerations

Some contractual obligations to consider include:

• Terms and conditions: You and your co-packer should clarify your partnership’s terms with transparent terms and conditions.
• Pricing structure: Gain a deep understanding of the pricing model the co-packer uses, which will account for everything from setup to future costs.
• Minimum order requirements: Minimum order quantities must align with your unique company goals.
• Intellectual property and confidentiality: Ensure that the co-packer will protect the recipes for your products and branding, among other intellectual property.
• Exit strategies: In the event you need to end your partnership, you should have a contingency plan in place that allows for alternatives.

Food Co-Packer Due Diligence and Background Checks

Take these steps to learn the ins and outs of your prospective food co-packer:

• Visit the co-packer’s site and inspect their facility: Have someone from your company visit the co-packer’s facility and conduct an inspection of the co-packer’s processes.
• Ensure financial stability: Determine whether the co-packer is financially stable, which will help gauge whether the company is capable of a fruitful long-term partnership.
• Check references and client testimonials: Find out what others have to say about the co-packer.
• Look at the company’s legal and compliance history: Your co-packer should also have a history of maintaining compliance with industry and customer requirements.

Food Co-Packer Regulatory Compliance and Certification

Your co-packer should meet all requirements under industry regulations and standards. Here are some of the requirements and certifications to look for.

FDA and USDA Requirements

The co-packer must comply with federal regulations for food safety under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

HACCP and GMP Standards

The company should follow best food production practices, with certifications such as Organic and Kosher, among others.

If needed, your co-packer should also be able to meet your product’s unique requirements.

Are You Ready to Partner With a Food Co-Packer?

Food co-packers can optimize your production processes in many ways, but you must find the company that’s most compatible with you. Learning everything you can about a potential partner will help you make the right decision.

Get started with making your selection by reaching out to Econo-Pak. Request a quote today!