Choosing a packaging partner is an important decision for a new pet food brand. The supplier needs to understand the packaging requirements of the product while providing the production capabilities needed to bring it to market.
For a new brand, the decision should cover more than the packaging itself. Production, printing, contract packing, storage and distribution can all become important as the product moves from development into commercial production.
When choosing a pet food packaging partner, look at the packaging formats available, printing capabilities, contract packing services, production capacity, storage and distribution. It is also worth considering whether the supplier can support the brand as its requirements develop. A packaging partner that can provide several connected services can make it easier to manage the process from packaging development through to finished product.
What should you look for in a pet food packaging partner?
The first step is understanding whether the supplier can provide the packaging format your product requires.
Pet food packaging can include stand-up pouches, flat-bottom pouches, retort pouches, quad bags and side-gusset handle bags. Depending on the format, brands can also consider features such as resealable zips.
A packaging partner should also be able to discuss the specification around your particular product, including:
- Packaging format
- Pack size
- Material specification
- Printing requirements
- Required packaging features
- Expected production volumes
- Packing requirements
- Storage and distribution
For a new pet food brand, having these conversations before committing to a particular format can help ensure the packaging works with the wider production requirements.
Can the packaging partner support production as your brand grows?
A new pet food brand may begin with one product and a relatively small number of SKUs before expanding its range.
The packaging partner needs to understand the requirements of the current product while having the capabilities to support future production requirements.
Questions worth asking include:
- What packaging formats can you produce?
- What printing capabilities are available?
- Can you provide contract packing?
- What production capabilities are available?
- What packaging formats can you support if the product range expands?
- Can storage and delivery be handled alongside production?
UFP operates more than 20 production lines and provides flexible packaging alongside contract packing services. Its packaging operation covers formats including stand-up pouches, flow wrap, VFFS and HFFS.
Should you choose a packaging supplier that also provides contract packing?
For a new pet food brand, packaging and packing are closely connected.
The packaging format needs to work with the packing process, while the production requirements need to be considered alongside the packaging specification.
Using a supplier that provides both flexible packaging and contract packing can allow these requirements to be discussed together.
UFP provides contract packing alongside flexible packaging, with its wider services also covering printing, storage and delivery.
Its pet food packaging capabilities include recyclable pouches and films, quad bags, flat-bottom pouches, retort pouches and side-gusset handle bags. Stand-up pouches can also be produced with or without resealable zips.
This range gives brands different options when deciding how their products should be packaged and packed.
What questions should a new pet food brand ask?
Before choosing a packaging partner, it is useful to have a clear understanding of what the supplier can provide and how the process will work.
A new pet food brand should ask about:
- Available packaging formats
- Material and packaging specifications
- Printing capabilities
- Contract packing services
- Production requirements
- Storage facilities
- Delivery arrangements
- Support available as production volumes increase
- The process for developing and approving new packaging
UFP's wider service covers flexible packaging, printing, contract packing, storage and delivery, bringing several stages of the packaging process together under one supplier.
For a new pet food brand, choosing the right partner means finding a supplier that can meet the immediate packaging requirements while also providing the capabilities needed as the business develops.
Looking for a packaging partner for your new pet food brand?
Discuss your pet food packaging requirements with UFP