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Are you looking for bespoke contract packing? Our packing and repacking services provide a comprehensive range of options for packing or repacking your product and total compliance with local market regulations.

Quality control in contract packing is important because it ensures products are well-protected, easily identifiable, and aesthetically appealing. It also helps to uphold safety standards, which is essential when transporting hazardous substances or sensitive items like medicines and pharmaceutical goods.

Continue reading to learn more about the importance of quality control in contract packing, as well as the benefits for businesses.

What is contract packing?

Contract packing is when a business outsources its packing requirements to a third party company (known as a contract packer). This kind of outsourcing arrangement is particularly useful if your business requires a specialist packing solution like vacuum sealing. It can also be beneficial if you simply don’t have the time or resources to pack your goods in-house.

The chemical repacking line at ReAgent
The chemical repacking line at ReAgent

If you choose to use a contract packing company, you’ll normally need to specify the type of packaging you require (bottles, glass ampoules, polystyrene, etc.) and the contract packer will take care of the rest. In most cases, they’ll also distribute the goods to the customer on your behalf. Some companies, including ReAgent, even provide a custom labelling service to help give your products a competitive edge.

Several ampoules stacked after being filled
The ampoule packing line at ReAgent

A contract packing agreement is usually defined by the volume of products that need to be packed over a certain period. The contact may be a one-off or it might be renewed on an ongoing basis.

What to look for when choosing a contract packer

There are several things to consider when looking for a contract packer. Although your specific criteria will depend on the product that’s being distributed, it’s worth taking the following general points into account:

  1. Rigorous quality control – always check a contract packing company has a good quality control and quality assurance system in place
  2. Industry compliance – make sure they’re compliant with the industry standards and government regulations
  3. Experience and expertise – choosing a contract packer with extensive experience and expertise can help to minimise risk to your business
  4. Technical know-how – check the company has the technical knowledge, tools, and capacity to meet your needs, particularly if they’re more complex
  5. Flexibility – find out whether they’ll be able to accommodate a surge in demand or last-minute changes, should they arise
  6. Logistics and delivery – opting for a company with a reliable delivery network can help to minimise transportation-related issues later on
  7. Competitive pricing – seeking out competitive contract prices and solutions is key to boosting profitability 
  8. Strong reputation – before signing on the dotted line, research the business and speak to past customers to check whether they have a good reputation

Controlling quality assurance during the contract packing process

Maintaining high quality standards during the packing process is key to preventing products from spoiling or being damaged. As well as helping to keep goods in tip-top condition, rigorous quality control ensures items can be handled safely. It can also improve customer satisfaction levels and build brand trust and loyalty.

A ReAgent worker checking an IBC before it's dispatched
Quality control in action at ReAgent

Here we explore some important aspects that are crucial to controlling quality assurance during the packing process.

Product safety

One of the most important functions of packaging is product safety. By preventing products from being damaged during handling and transportation, contract packers ensure goods are safe to use once they reach the end user. 

This is especially important when packing potentially harmful products like chemicals, which could cause injuries or environmental damage if they were to spill or leak during transit. 

Some contract packing companies also offer specialist or supplementary services to help maintain product safety standards. For example, at ReAgent we have dedicated clean rooms for items that need to be packed in a highly-sterile environment. This ensures sensitive products like pharmaceutical goods are protected from outside contaminants, which could compromise the safety of the product. 

A staff member of ReAgent Chemicals in a cleanroom.

Following industry guidelines

Specific industry guidelines vary depending on the type of product that’s being packaged. Many products only require cardboard and generic protective packaging materials like bubble wrap or polystyrene. However, others such as pharmaceutical goods and chilled or frozen food, have to comply with particularly stringent packaging rules and regulations. 

To maintain quality assurance and build trust, contract packing companies should also follow the relevant ISO standards. In most cases, these regulations and international standards are in consonant with the self-regulatory industry guidelines on packaging materials and measurements.

Customer satisfaction

When it comes to packing, quality assurance and customer satisfaction go hand-in-hand. By maintaining a rigorous quality control process, contract packers can ensure products arrive in good condition and meet customers’ expectations. 

Partnering with a contract packer can also improve the customer experience because it typically means you’re able to offer a faster turnaround. You can boost customer satisfaction levels even further by opting for a packing solution that enhances your products’ aesthetic appeal.

Build brand trust & loyalty

Once you’ve found the right contract packing company for your needs, quality control can help to build mutual trust and loyalty. This is key to establishing a good foundation for a long-term business relationship that benefits both parties. It also gives you the confidence and freedom to concentrate on other areas of the business, such as growing sales or boosting production.

The benefits of outsourcing your contract packing needs

One of the main benefits of outsourcing your packing needs is that it frees up a significant amount of your company’s time. 

As well as reducing personnel costs (you won’t need to pay people to operate packaging machinery), it gives you more time to focus on research and product development. This in turn can help you to grow the business, enhance efficiency and increase profits. 

Summary

Quality control in contract packing is important because it helps to protect products from being damaged during handling or transportation. As well as ensuring the product is safe to use, high-quality packaging can improve an item’s aesthetic appeal. All of these elements are key to improving customer satisfaction and building brand loyalty.

About the author

Jessica Clifton

Director

Jessica is a Director at ReAgent and leads a variety of growth projects. She has an extensive background in marketing, and has worked in the chemical manufacturing industry since 2019. When she’s not writing articles for ReAgent, Jessica can be found on a run, in her campervan, building LEGO, or watching Star Wars.

Disclaimer

All content published on the ReAgent.co.uk blog is for information only. The blog, its authors, and affiliates cannot be held responsible for any accident, injury or damage caused in part or directly from using the information provided. Additionally, we do not recommend using any chemical without reading the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which can be obtained from the manufacturer. You should also follow any safety advice and precautions listed on the product label. If you have health and safety related questions, visit HSE.gov.uk.