Beverage Co-Packing: What Brands Need To Know Before Partnering

Partnerships are formed in many industries. And it includes the packaging industry too, where food product manufacturing needs packaging solutions. Co-packing is also known as contract packaging. It is an important service for brands, including beverage brands that are looking to grow without any significant investment in manufacturing. So when a brand partners with a co-packer, a brand can get the expertise, facilities, and resources of a third party to produce, bottle, and package their beverages. 

A brand can find a co-packer with ease through Maker’s Row, an online platform that helps to connect with the right co-packer and streamline the beverage production process. It also allows brands to focus on other departments, such as food product manufacturing, sales, and marketing. Meanwhile, co-packers can handle the production process, but before entering partnerships, brands need to know and consider key factors to ensure successful collaboration. Choosing the right packaging partner is a critical step that can impact the quality and scaleability of the product.

Food product manufacturing

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8 key factors to consider before partnering with beverage co-packer

1. Quality Control And Compliance

It is important for food product manufacturing brands, including beverage brands, to ensure that the co-packer complies with all relevant regulations, depending on the market and region. They should follow good manufacturing practices and hazard analysis practices critical control points to maintain the production safety. If a brand has any specific requirements or quality needs, they can verify with a food manufacturing co-packer. And make sure that the standards are met by following quality standard tools. They should also hold necessary certifications for packaging solutions.

2. Production Capabilities And Flexibility

Beverage brands need to make sure that the co-packer can handle the production needs, whether small or large-scale productions. The beverage co-packing manufacturer should be able to adjust production based on seasonal demands; for example, during the summer there is a spike in cool beverages. They also need to ensure that the beverage co-packing manufacturer is able to meet timelines and leadtimes and can meet production deadlines. Along with adjusting to any fluctuations or new launces or distribution.

Food product manufacturing

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3. Cost Structure

Beverage brands need to understand the cost structure followed for food product manufacturing and beverage co-packers. The cost structure breakdown includes per unit production cost, storage, packaging, and any additional costs for custom features like labelling or special packaging. Brands need to be aware of potential extra costs such as ingredient outsourcing, inventory management, or shipping costs. This cost structure of beverage co-packing should be known to brands for their financial planning.

4. Logistics And Distribution

Brands need to ensure about beverage co-packing and if they have robust systems and advanced technologies for handling inventory, shipping, and even managing stock levels for smooth distribution. If the brand wants to supply products internationally, they need to confirm with the co-packer about their capabilities. And whether they can meet international regulations and standards and handle global supply logistics. This also helps to meet global consumer demands.

Food production manufacturing

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5. Packaging Capabilities

They need to ensure that the co-packer can provide brands with specified packaging requirements. They are able to provide production of different bottle shapes, sizes, labels, and any other customization. They should ensure that it matches the brand’s identity. While brands are following food product manufacturing with sustainable practices, they need to check and know if the beverage or co-packer offers eco-friendly or sustainable packaging solutions and options that align with environmental goals.

6. Product Development

There are co-packers that offer research and development services to beverage brands. This helps brands refine their product formula, flavor, or packaging design of their products. And if a brand requires the need for research and development services for their product, they need to make sure that the beverage co-packer is capable of offering the solution efficiently. Before brands commit to large-scale beverage packaging, they can ask for small test batches from other collaborations with food product manufacturing brands to get an idea. This helps to improve the production quality and production consistency.

Food product manufacturing

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7. Experience And Reputaition

It is important for brands to ensure that the beverage co-packing manufacturer is experienced enough to provide the required packaging. Especially in the beverage industry, with the specific category brands require. For example, soft drinks, juices, hard drinks, etc. Brands can search about beverage co-packers reputation in the beverage industry from food product manufacturing brands. They can ask for references from other brands about their experiences and whether they are reliable. A co-packer with successful partnerships and experience with similar products is more likely to meet the expectations.

8. Contractual Terms And Exit Strategy

Brands need to ensure that the partnership agreement is clear and covers all the key aspects about the food product manufacturing process, payments, intellectual property, timelines, and even dispute resolution. While it is important to build a long-term relationship with co-packers, it is also important to discuss what happens if the partnership needs to end or brands have any undeniable circumstances that cannot be ignored. So they need to be clear about termination clauses and exit provisions in the agreement before hand.

Food product manufacturing

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Find beverage co-packers with Maker’s Row

Brands can find it difficult and time-consuming to find an efficient co-packer that helps to streamline their food product manufacturing process. But with Maker’s Row, they can find and help to connect with the right factory and manufacturers, including from the beverage packaging industry. Here’s how Maker’s Row helps to assist:

→ Maker’s Row provides a list of factories and manufacturers, including those offering beverage co-packing services. Brands can filter factory results based on specific beverage types, such as juices, soft drinks, or other beverages. They can also filter based on customization or sustainable packaging.

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→ Each beverage co-packing manufacturer on Maker’s Row has a detailed profile that highlights their capabilities, certifications, quality work, production details, etc. This helps brands find the right co-packer and have a successful partnership with them.

→ Brands can have transparent communication and contact co-packers directly through the platform and discuss their specific needs regarding beverage packaging and any query related to timeline or price quotes.

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→ Maker’s Row also provides brands with expert advice that is helpful for them to understand the food product manufacturing process and market trends regarding it. They also give access to informative resources such as articles, blogs, and videos that help to streamline the process and have a smooth introduction of their production line.

Conclusion

Thus, by considering all the factors, beverage brands can ensure they select the right co-packing partner that aligns with their food product manufacturing needs, ethics, and long-term goals. A strong partnership with reliable partners or co-packers can help a brand scale efficiently. This also helps to grow their brand in industry while helping packaging factories to expand. This also maintains consistent production quality and streamlines their operations. While making a strong presence in the ever-growing industry and competitive market.

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Book a demo to see how Maker’s Row can help grow your factory’s business!