Could Contract Packaging Optimise your Manufacturing Process?

When you operate a manufacturing business, you are always looking to optimise your processes, save money or make cost savings and ensure productivity is at its highest. Sometimes, this is best achieved by working with other companies to outsource parts of the process and one example of this is contract packaging.

What is contract packaging?

When you use contract packaging, you work with another company who takes the products that you make and packages them in a suitable way.  Examples of the kind of packaging you can use include clamshell and blister packaging, shrink and sleeve wrapping and also eco-friendly packaging options.

In addition to the packaging, companies can often add display units and other options to help display the products when they arrive at the seller.  This can include free standing display units, pop-up displays and banner stands.

How this optimises your process

The main way that this can optimise your process is that your business doesn’t need to have the equipment and supplies to make the packaging in-house.  This means no capital outlay to get the equipment or staff costs to run it.  You can simply pay the contract packaging company to handle it for you.

Additionally, this not only saves space and money, it also means staff aren’t required to switch between tasks, increasing their productivity and ensuring that they can concentrate wholly on their primary task.  You can ensure that the most important processes are carried out in the business, ensuring all products are to the highest standard and then send them to be packaged to a similar high standard.

Finally, you don’t need to worry about compliance and regulatory issues around the packaging as an expert company can tackle this for you.  Instead, you can focus on your own compliance issues and ensure your company runs smoothly and efficiently.

For more information on our products visit our website.

Top Benefits of Using Professional Contract Packaging

At Quantrelle, we understand that to a customer the overall aesthetics of what they choose to buy is just as important as the product itself. How a product is packaged is far more important today than it has ever been. In fact, product packaging has now become a major factor in the products marketing strategy. This is why contract packaging has become so popular and not just with larger corporations, but with smaller businesses too.

Professional contract packaging companies, such as Quantrelle, specialise in creating bespoke packaging services that can cater to the needs of the individual business.

Regular contract packaging companies will usually only specialise in one sector or marketplace, but we at Quantrelle offer our highly-customised packaging solutions across many different sectors, including consumer goods, cosmetics and toiletries, high tech and pharmaceutical industries.

But what are the benefits of using a professional contract packaging company such as us? Well, there are more benefits than you might think! For example:

  •  Greater profits for you : Since Quantrelle provide everything you need with regards to production facilities, staff, source materials, maintenance etc. you do not have to purchase and run your own packaging operation. You can not only save time and money, but invest those savings back in to the growth of your own business.
  • Packaging testing : By choosing to use contract packaging, you get the flexibility to try out and test different packaging options. This gives you the opportunity to refine and perfect your product image and get the right product out to your customers.
  • Better efficiency : Using a dedicated contract packaging company will help to increase your rate of output. You can consult with us right from the beginning of your product development so that we can use our experience and expertise to help and advise you. This enables you to get the right packaging in place from day one, therefore reducing lead-time.

There are many more benefits than those we have listed here, for example, it may be difficult for a company to come up with or invest in sustainable resources. Contract packaging can provide you with sustainable and environmentally-friendly solutions without being overly costly to your company. Take a look at our Eco-Pack and our Green Materials sections for more information.

For more information about Quantrelle as a contract packaging company, visit the rest of our website or get in touch.

Quantrelle Contract Packaging Sustainability Statement

There has been a lot in the press about single-use plastic and recyclability in packaging. With that in mind, we would like to re-assure you that it is our company practice to ensure a high level of commitment to good environmental policies throughout our business activities. As a contract packaging company, we enforce these policies by minimising the production of waste, and re-using and recycling materials. In case you are asked the question by a vendor, member, or other individual here is a checklist that may be helpful regarding the products we supply:

The main statement is that all of our materials are 100% recyclable.

  • Plastic Blisters (Eco-Pack™) –Made from RPet plastic and contain a minimum of 50% post-consumer waste (i.e. contains materials destined for waste after use).
  • Corrugated Cardboard – the corrugated materials we use in trays and pallet skirts are 100% recyclable, the thin printed layer we use is a virgin paper and we purchase this exclusively from suppliers that participate in the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) UK. (Paper produced from well-managed forests and/or recycled materials).
  • Shrink Film – The shrink wrap material we use contains recyclable material that can then be re-used in the future, including shopping bag recycling points, present in most UK retailers. It’s the same LDPE plastic found in bottled water packaging, shopping bags, milk cartons and garbage bags.
  • Printed Cards – We use vegetable oil-based or water-based inks. These inks are fully biodegradable and do not interfere with recycling processes. Our liners (the printed paper layer) are covered with an aqueous (water-based) coating, which is both biodegradable and recyclable. The cards themselves are fully recyclable.

Quantrelle is BRC certified and ISO registered working to ISO 9001/ISO 14001 guidelines, therefore it is our responsibility to continue to produce 100% recyclable products along with purchasing materials that use the highest percentage of recyclable material.

For more information, please visit our website: www.quantrelle.com/our-green-materials/

contract packaging contract packaging

Thank you,

Andrew Dear

Sales Director

Quantrelle Contract Packaging Solutions

Sustainable Contract Packaging

Quantrelle Contract Packaging Company OHSAS 18001 & ISO 27001 Accreditations

Quantrelle Contract Packaging Company have been busy behind the scenes this year.

In addition to preparing for the new GDP Regulations, we have been working towards accreditation for both OHSAS 18001 (Health and Safety) and  ISO 27001 (Information Security).

We are thrilled to be able to tell you that we have secured accreditation in both of these standards.

The OHSAS 18001 standard is designed to ensure that an organisation is committed to assessing risks and promoting a safe and healthy working environment for employees and visitors.

This certification is proof of our adherence to the high standards set by the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) Project Group.

Our Contract Packaging Company have achieved this important award through our dedication to safety by identifying, controlling and managing risks to keep our employees, and visitors to the premises in which we work, safe.

An annual external audit is carried out by a third party where our practices and systems are assessed to confirm that standards remain high and that any non-conformances are noted for rectification.

ISO 27001 is recognised worldwide as the standard for information security management.

We have shown that we have reached the high standards set by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) through our achievement of the ISO 27001 certification.

To gain the ISO 27001 award, we have proved that we could not only prevent but defend against potential data system vulnerabilities. This achievement was due to our comprehensive suite of information security controls and the management system we introduced to ensure these controls remain efficient and continue to meet our customers’ needs.

An annual audit is carried out by an external third party to ensure our systems continue to meet the stringent requirements set out in the ISO 27001 standard.

These accreditations compliment our existing ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications.

For more information about our Contract Packaging Company and the services we have to offer, visit our website or get in touch.

Why Use A Contract Packaging Company?

A Contract Packaging Company is basically what it says – a packaging company that offer services on the basis of a contract. There is a lot that goes into packaging, from the initial design and creation, to the final product sitting on the shelves of the local Supermarket, Wholesaler or Retailer. This is why many businesses choose to outsource these tasks to professional contract packaging companies so they can save time and money.

Contract packaging companies can specialise in different methods of packaging or like Quantrelle, they can offer a vast range of packaging options. At Quantrelle, the range of services we can offer are clamshell and blister packaging, Eco packaging, shrink and sleeve wrapping, pallet and pop-up displays and more, so whatever packaging your business may need, we will go over and above to ensure you are happy with the finished product and service.

As a company that offers contract packaging, we provide the expert knowledge, the labour and the equipment, packaging is one less thing you have to worry about. If you need regular packaging to be undertaken, then our services could help save you time and money, we also ensure that all packaging is completed within your time schedule and up to the high quality and standards that you expect.

Whilst you can focus on the sales and marketing of your product, the packaging aspect can be left in the safe hands of a contract packaging company like us, taking a huge weight off your mind.

For more information on the services we have to offer and the range of sectors we do work for, feel free to get in touch directly or visit our website.

Party Pack pallet for Costco

Party Pack Pallet

Working with Burton’s Biscuits; Quantrelle have put together a ‘Party Pack’ consisting of 2 Jammie Dodgers, 2 Original Wagon Wheels and 2 Jammie Wagon Wheels.
Find them now in all UK Costco stores.

Why Your Product Packaging Is as Important as the Product Itself

BY Joshua Conran @JoshuaConran

Your product packaging is meant to communicate a purpose: what your brand stands for and what it means for your customer.

Product Packaging

Every year, 95 percent of new products fail. The reason is simple: Most customers don’t have the time or energy to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the products in their shopping carts, so they use a shortcut to make their decision. That shortcut is your product’s packaging.

Think of Tiffany & Co. For most people, the iconic robin’s-egg blue box is more recognizable than the jewelry itself.

Packaging is powerful because it tells consumers why your product and brand are different. Apple is known for its clean, minimalist packaging. If you’ve ever watched an unboxing video for a new iPhone, you know people love Apple’s packaging.

Plenty of savvy startups are mastering the unboxing experience as well. Pad & Quill, a company that sells artisan iPhone and iPad cases, wraps its products in brown paper with friendly messages printed on the inside and a Roman seal for a distinctly hand-wrapped feel.

Great packaging is especially significant for growing startups because it can have a direct impact on sales and a company’s overall appeal. Take Trunk Club, for example. This company hand-selects clothing for men and sends its stylist-curated outfits in cardboard “trunks” that fit the convenience and style of its service. After five years in business, Trunk Club garnered Nordstrom’s attention, and the high-end department store bought the startup for $350 million.

Packaging can continue to influence a company’s sales as it grows larger, too. MillerCoors’ sales slumped last year, but the Miller Lite retro can bumped sales by nearly 5 percent. MillerCoors didn’t change its beer; it just changed the can it came in.

Poor packaging can have an even more dramatic effect. Australia recently instituted a plain packaging law for cigarettes. The government’s removal of packaging branding rights aimed to discourage young people from smoking. Not only can Marlboro not use its logo, but it also can’t use its typeface. The packages, covered with health warnings and graphic images that deter smoking, resulted in the biggest smoking decline Australia has seen in 20 years.

How to Design Packaging That Makes an Impact

All startups want to achieve the instantly recognizable status of Apple and Tiffany & Co., and that type of brand power starts with a product’s packaging. How can you make your packaging stand out from the competition?

  1. Know your demographic. Stark white and robin’s-egg blue won’t work for every brand. Consider Lowe’s Home Improvement and Home Depot. Their rugged brands speak for themselves with distinctive, masculine colors. Don’t be afraid to go bold.
  2. Make cheap packaging look chic and personalized. Good packaging doesn’t have to be expensive. Stephanieverafter, an online hair accessory boutique, packages its bows on simple cards in muted colors with stylish typography. It’s an inexpensive solution that gives each item a high-end feel.
  3. Make the package part of the experience. Part of the reason it’s so fun to unbox a new Apple product is that its packaging reflects the sleek, user-friendly experience of the product inside. One startup that’s mastered this is Back to the Roots, which produces kits to get kids and parents interested in growing their own food. Its mushroom kit’s kid-friendly packaging is designed to jump off the shelf and convey the fun, hands-on experience the brand provides.
  4. Consider eco-friendly options. Packaging that’s recyclable or reusable is always a reason for a consumer to choose your brand over your competitor’s. In fact, 52 percent of people around the world make purchase decisions partially due to packaging that shows a brand making a positive social and environmental impact.Puma has made great strides with its eco-friendly packaging that doubles as a reusable walking billboard for its brand. There are plenty of creative ways to go easy on the earth and differentiate your brand in the process.

Remember, your product’s packaging is meant to communicate a purpose: what your brand stands for and what it means for your customer. Don’t miss this opportunity to create a lasting impression on the shelf and in the minds of your customers.

New Recyclability Tool Available Online

By British Plastics & Rubber,

Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE), Europe’s plastic recycling industry body, has launched a new tool that it says can help packaging manufacturers improve the recyclability of their products.

During the group’s conference, entitled ‘Let’s work together on plastics packaging design’ at the InterPack Trade Fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, PRE explained that the ultimate aim of the tool is to improve the design of plastics packaging in respect to its recyclability.

In a video message from the European Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potočnik stated that: “Recycling starts in the product design phase. The key to more sustainable plastics is better design of plastics and plastics products.”

“RecyClass is based on the existing recycling guidelines, the functioning of today’s recycling markets and the experience of the plastics recyclers,” said Paolo Glerean (PRE Board Member). “The users of the tool can instinctively understand how to improve the recyclability of their packaging,” Glerean added.

Dr. Michael Scriba (PRE Board Member) said: “This tool is an opportunity for the industry to work together, learn mutually and improve the position of plastic packaging on the EU markets.”

The RecyClass tool enables assessment of any kind of plastic packaging, claims PRE. Users are said to be able to obtain information on how environmentally-friendly their packaging is, and provides improvement ideas for packaging design. It is now available online (www.recyclass.eu) in English and German languages for a free trial period of six months.
The conference was attended by plastics converters, recyclers, packaging designers and brand owners.

To see the full article from British Plastics & Rubberclick here.

Vegware Revamp Green Britain Compostable Cups

By Packaging Europe,

Vegware, the UK’s first and only completely compostable food packaging company, have launched their revamped Green Britain cups. The compostable 8oz and 12oz double-wall cups are lined with low-carbon cornstarch not plastic, and feature a green Union Jack heart.

Communications Director Lucy Frankel explains, “Our original Green Britain cup was hugely popular in summer 2012, with UK caterers keen to show their green credentials to international visitors. We like to keep things fresh and last year we discontinued the design. But our clients had other ideas and kept demanding it. We gave in and revamped the design, with the green flag now in a heart shape. With Vegware the UK’s 30th fastest growing company, we see it as a celebration that the UK really does love all things green. And it’s a very pretty summer cup!

These cups are made in the British Isles from two layers of sustainably sourced EU board. The cornstarch lining has a carbon footprint 51% lower than a conventional plastic lining, quantified by Vegware’s Eco Audits for any order quantity. Like all Vegware, these cups are completely compostable and designed to be recycled with food waste, and their free service foodwastenetwork.org helps any UK business set up food waste recycling. This cup won Best New Product in the first ever Climate Week Awards.

A subtle line of text by the join reads: ‘Completely compostable cup made in the British Isles by @vegware. Lined with cornstarch, not plastic, because green tastes better. Caution – green is HOT!’ These special edition cups come in packs of 25 or cases of 500.

From the three cutlery items offered five years ago, Vegware’s range has grown to over 200 completely compostable products, including many award-winning innovations resulting from the firm’s active R&D programme. All Vegware’s catering disposables are made from renewable or recycled eco materials and are completely compostable – so unlike most foodservice packaging, Vegware can be simply recycled after use.

To see the full article from Packaging Europeclick here.

Click to see Quantrelles Eco-Pack range of products.

Dell Invests in Carbon-Negative Packaging Solutions

By Heather Clancy,

Dell continues to raise the bar for the high-tech industry when it comes to innovative packaging choices and groundbreaking recycling initiatives.

This week, its sustainability team is disclosing details about two specific industry “firsts”, both of which are the result of close, collaborative sustainable business partnerships born in its supply chain.

First, Dell has become the second high-profile company to announce a deal with AirCarbon, an innovative plastic material from Newlight Technologies created by pulling carbon out of the air. Newlight, which last year got a $4m grant from the Department of Energy, recently announced a relationship with Sprint, under which it is making “carbon-negative” iPhone accessories.

Dell’s initial plan is to use AirCarbon for sleeves to protect new Latitude series notebooks. It connected with Newlight after a conversation with another supply chain partner, said Oliver Campbell, director of worldwide procurement at Dell.

In addition to the Newlight deal, the technology giant is turning to long-time manufacturing partner, Wistron GreenTech, to pull off another big breakthrough: becoming the first company in the IT industry to earn a closed-loop recycling validation from UL Environment.

Dell’s forthcoming OptiPlex 3030 All-in-One desktop computer (due out by June) will be the first to contain a minimum of 10 percent post-consumer recycled plastic, collected through Dell’s ongoing electronic-waste recovery processes, the company said. The recycled e-waste material is specifically used to make parts such as the stand and the backing for the computer, according to an infographic from Dell.

“We have a long-standing commitment to conduct our business responsibly,” said Dell CEO Michael Dell, in remarks prepared for the Fortune Br
ainstorm Green conference where the initiatives were disclosed. “AirCa
rbon packaging and closed-loop recycled plastics are terrific innovations and big steps forward as we work with our customers and partners toward our 2020 goals.”

To see the full article from BusinessGreen, click here.