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What Is A Packaging Manufacturer?
In its most simplified terms, a packaging manufacturer is a company that designs, produces, and develops packaging products out of raw materials. Packaging manufacturers take materials from cardboard and plastic to metal and glass and turn them into the packaging we interact with every day—boxes, containers, bottles, and all the other packaging you can think of.
Companies can work directly with packaging manufacturers for specific materials needs, to develop custom packaging, or give more specific manufacturing instructions tailored towards unique business needs. From sourcing to final product development, manufacturers are in the weeds when it comes to the development the packaging companies need.
What Is A Packaging Supplier?
On the other hand, a packaging supplier is a third-party organization that works as the middleman between packaging manufacturers and businesses. Suppliers source completed packaging products, such as boxes, containers, and bottles, and provide these to businesses. Suppliers typically work with a wide range of manufacturers to ensure they have multiple packaging options for their partners.
Unlike packaging manufacturers, packaging suppliers focus on distribution and give businesses an opportunity to choose packaging types and materials that are most suited to their needs. Additionally, packaging suppliers can typically offer lower quantities of packaging types to businesses compared to manufacturers.
Packaging Manufacturer Vs. Packaging Supplier: 4 Key Differences
If you boil it down to one key difference, packaging manufacturers turn raw materials into finished packaging, and packaging suppliers distribute this packaging. But for companies deciding whether to work with a packaging manufacturer or a supplier, there is much more to understand.
1. Design & Customization Options
When working with packaging manufacturers companies are likely to have more opportunities for customization than with packaging suppliers. This is because manufacturers are working with raw materials and packaging design from the ground up - allowing businesses to get more granular about what they are looking for. However, suppliers can offer companies a wide range of pre-made packaging options which may be more convenient for companies who don’t need as much customization.
2. Quality Control
Working directly with manufacturers can also give businesses more direct control over the quality of their packaging. Suppliers still uphold extremely high quality standards for the manufacturer they work with but a level of visibility and control is lost once this packaging reaches third parties. This being said, considering reputation and brand authority is critical whether you're working with a packaging supplier or manufacturer.
3. Lead Times
Unlike packaging manufacturers, packaging suppliers are more likely to hold stock of various packaging items. As a result, companies that do not need customized packaging may choose this route to increase packaging lead times - especially for companies who experience inconsistent demand patterns.
4. Order Quantities & Cost
The quantity & cost may also impact whether organizations work with packaging manufacturers versus packaging suppliers. Manufacturers often require companies to commit to larger quantities of packaging resulting in higher overall costs. Suppliers on the other hand can typically offer lower quantities, which can come with lower prices.
Choosing The Best Fit: Packaging Manufacturer or Supplier
Deciding whether to work with a packaging manufacturer or packaging supplier can be a tedious process and requires companies to consider many different pros and cons. Although both manufacturers and suppliers both offer unique benefits the role packaging plays at your company will greatly impact who you decide to work with.
During this process, cross-functional teams must consider when they need packaging, how customizable it must be, and how much of it they are looking for. In doing so companies must be in tune with their entire supply chain to understand how this decision will impact other business operations.
It’s also important to assess your long-term packaging needs to ensure that your decision aligns with these goals. From quantity and costs to quality control and lead times, there is a lot to consider when it comes to deciding the perfect match. By better understanding the basics of packaging suppliers and manufacturers you are moving in the right direction toward finding the perfect partner.
How Specification Data Management Guides You to the Perfect Packaging Partner
Whether you decide to work with a packaging manufacturer or a packaging supplier you are going to need a good understanding of your current packaging data and specifications to make an informed decision.
With a centralized system for managing this packaging data companies will have a clearer understanding of the partner most suited for them. Whether this is sustainability goals, regulatory compliance, or turnover time having these insights is critical for choosing partners that won't drag you down.
Specright makes this easy, with up-to-date centralized specifications that are needed to select the most compatible partner that aligns with operational demands and packaging goals.
To learn more about Specright request a demo today.
