When it comes to logistics, there are more choices and possibilities available now than at any other point in history. Often, our meals today incorporate ingredients from different parts of the world. That ease of accessibility is excellent for a consumer and is helping businesses expand as well.
As for someone in the food industry, your product needs to adhere to a higher standard of quality. Primary and secondary packaging must withstand harsher conditions and a longer travel time. Thankfully, today’s case packing machines are up to the task.
Maintaining high-quality control, your product, and your packaging are more crucial now than ever before. Case packing machines can help you deliver what’s needed to your customers. It’s an investment that can help you compete in the international market and magnetize consumers from all around the globe.
Another element that has changed how merchandise is packaged is the recent boost of online retail. Big and small online delivery services make up a significant chunk of our purchasing today.
Instead of being taken out of boxes and displayed on shelves, secondary packaging now acts as the casing your products will be shipped in. Landing directly to the customer's home in most cases. That enhances the importance of secondary packaging in improving brand recognition and delivering the first impression to consumers.
The simplest definition of secondary packaging is the outer wrapping of your product. It's the packaging case packing machines place products into after being packed individually in primary packaging. It’s often printed with a brand logo, company tagline, and usage and care instructions.
Secondary packaging is not just the box that carries your products from point A to point B.
It’s your product's bumper system when they hit turbulence during transit. It’s the first introduction of your brand to potential customers. They are the deliverers of your brand vision and communicate the quality and care you put into your products.
Each product will require different secondary packaging material and different calibration of the case packing machines to optimize these benefits. Here are some of the most commonly used types of secondary packaging used in the food industry:
This packaging staple is readily available, sturdy, reusable, and recyclable, making it a favorite choice for food companies. Corrugated packaging is the most common material used for secondary packaging.
There are many types available such as regular slotted containers, half slotted containers, and wrap-around packaging. Cardboard boxes come semi-formed or completely collapsed, making them ideal for economical transport.
It's hard to think of an industry that doesn’t use cardboard boxes in some shape or form to package their merchandise. Some applications of cardboard boxes are:
There are many secondary packaging machines suited for packing your products into cardboard boxes.
Thinner than cardboard boxes, paperboard is a material similar to card stock. It is often used to package products with sealed plastic or foil pouch primary packaging such as nutritional or breakfast bars.
For smaller units and lightweight goods, paperboard is a better choice than the bulkier, more heavy-duty cardboard box.
Paperboard also allows for branding and can be printed with your logo and text. Perboard cartons can be automatically loaded with your product using versatile multi-axis robotic solutions such as the Spider 100v. Trying to load your naked (raw) product? No worries, there are carton load solutions for this, too!
Trays are another packaging favorite. This type of packaging is used in both primary and secondary packaging. Tray packaging provides a sturdy base for products to ‘sit’ on and facilitates easier handling and shipping. Plastic or cardboard trays are incredibly versatile and make ideal packaging for a variety of products.
Tray packaging is loaded with products and then shrink-wrapped in clear plastic in the case packing machine. Shrink wrapping ensures there is minimal movement and damage of products during transit. It also provides excellent visibility of your products. Here are edible products packed using tray and shrink wrap:
Selecting appropriate secondary packaging is a multi-step process. Consider your product’s conditions once they come out of the case packing machine and head down to the warehouse. Will they be palletized and wrapped? How long will the products spend in storage? What’s the recommended stacking highest for the cases?
Corrugated cases, for example, can get damaged by moisture unless they are lined with a waterproof barrier. That makes them less suitable for transporting frozen items.
Answering these questions will make the decision process simpler for you. Also, decide what you want to spend on secondary packaging and the most economical option for your product. Sustainability is another concern. Make sure the packaging material you select can be sustainably recycled in the vicinity it’s sold in.
They say that secondary packaging is the first thing your customer sees. To leave a favorable impression with your customers, ensure your secondary packaging doubles up as marketing for your brand.
You spend so much on the development and processing of your unique products. Appropriate primary and secondary packaging guarantees it reaches customers in the most satisfactory condition.
Regardless of your packaging choice, BluePrint Automation has a secondary packaging solution to efficiently load your product into the chosen secondary container. Call BluePrint Automation today and let our experts guide you on which secondary packaging solution would be most suitable for your products and containers.
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