Manufacturing and processing companies strive to produce quality products for their target consumers. They install quality machinery and hire excellent employees to build a name in the market. However, many overlook the role of packaging and the impact it has on manufacturing, distribution, storage, and the shelf life of the final products.
Packaging can protect the quality of consumable goods, minimize spoilage, preserve the taste, and influence potential buyers. With such a significant impact, manufacturers cannot afford to overlook the power of choosing appropriate packaging materials. This article will highlight how packaging influences product lifecycles from the factory to the shelf.
How Packaging Affects Manufacturing
Packaging materials are required to manage the raw materials supplied to factories and finished goods ready for storage or distribution. The material used can determine the manufacturing speed and efficiency. For instance, some factories use flexible materials such as films and pouches, which can accommodate different quantities of products. Since these materials are lightweight, they are easy to work with, increasing the manufacturing efficiency.
The downside of using flexible packaging materials is that they could lead to errors when measuring the products. With that in mind, choosing the right volumetric filler can help measure the materials accurately when packaging. Factory owners also need vacuum sealers, especially when dealing with food materials that require air-tight storage.
Packaging can influence manufacturing costs, which is why factories should pay attention to their packaging solutions. Some materials are recyclable and are easy to use. This increases efficiency and cuts packaging labor costs.
Bulky packaging materials such as metal cans or glass bottles are fragile and difficult to work with, which might increase manufacturing costs. Recyclable materials are affordable and help protect the environment, which makes the manufacturing process sustainable.
How Packaging Materials Affect Distribution
After manufacturing or processing, goods are transported to wholesalers and distribution centers. The packaging materials can determine the cost and means of transporting the final products. Besides, the packaging can determine the equipment that can be used to handle or transport the finished products.
Tough and stackable materials can save resources and time required to distribute the materials to consumers. However, rigid materials such as metal cans are heavy and could increase transport costs. They could also be deformed or broken if something happens during transportation. Shock-absorbing packaging materials are ideal for fragile products since they can reduce the risk of damage during distribution.
Does Packaging Affect Storage and Shelf Life?
Some food and chemical products require manufacturers and handlers to maintain a balance of moisture content, light exposure, temperature, and oxygen levels, depending on active ingredients. Packaging materials help maintain the delicate balance within the optimal range.
Fruits and vegetables, for instance, require containers that control temperature and moisture levels. Therefore, the packaging option will determine how long the products will stay fresh and nutritious.
Exposing some chemicals or foodstuffs to oxygen could increase the risk of spoilage. Factories dealing with these products can use metal cans and quality plastic containers, which create a near-oxygen-free environment and increase the life of the products.
Some manufacturers use the controlled gas mixture in the packaging materials to extend the shelf life of the products. This determines the transportation method and how long they can stay in warehouses or storage facilities before they reach consumers.
When some food products are exposed to light, they change color or undergo a chemical reaction, which changes the final product. Light exposure could also degrade vitamins and reduce the nutritional value of the food stored waiting for distribution or on the shelves of retail stores.
Some products, such as milk, some cooking oils, and yoghurt, should be stored in opaque materials since they are light-sensitive. These examples demonstrate that the right packaging materials can increase the storage duration of the products without changing color, texture, quality, chemical composition, or nutritional value.
How Packaging Affects Sales in Retail Stores
Packaging materials protect the integrity of products from the factory to storage and retail stores. However, when the products reach the retail stores, the role of the packaging increases since it functions as a branding and marketing tool. Consumers identify products by their packaging, which means the appearance of the package could increase or reduce sales.
Although consumers value quality, they are unlikely to consider products in dull or inappropriate packaging. This is where design and branding skills play a crucial role. The leading factories hire branding experts to design the packaging materials using vibrant colors and attractive designs.
The eye-catching packages not only appeal to potential customers but also increase sales. Appropriate branding helps buyers find the product on the shelves quickly and purchase it.
Tips to Choose the Best Packaging
It is clear that packaging materials affect the entire product cycle from the factory to the consumer. With so many packaging options, product manufacturers might wonder what materials to use. The ideal material depends on the qualities of the final products that should be preserved. It is also crucial to consider the pros and cons of each material and how it will affect the entire product cycle.
For instance, colored glass is ideal for products that react to light or change properties, but glass is fragile and expensive. Metal cans can protect oxygen-sensitive foods by creating an oxygen barrier. However, metal cans are costly and heavy, which affects handling and distribution. Plastic packaging is easy to use, inexpensive, lightweight, and convenient, but it can be damaged easily.
Cardboard and paper are ideal for storing dry products such as cereals, but paper can tear before the products read the retail shelves. Other materials include aluminum, cartons, wraps, films, and modified atmosphere packaging.
Factories dealing with chemical products or food should compare these materials with their respective pros and cons in mind. They can also review how competitors package their products to beat the competition. They can also consult experts and regulatory authorities to avoid compliance issues.
Packaging can affect the quality of products and costs associated with manufacturing, processing, distribution, storage, and sales. Therefore, factories making consumer goods should choose the most appropriate packaging that protects the product and appeal to the consumers. They can also select quality materials that are reusable or recyclable to reduce adverse impacts on the environment.