You’ve decided to automate your packaging processes. But the more you look around it seems like there are dozens of companies offering the same products with identical features. They can’t all be the same, can they?
Well yes and no. The unfortunate truth is that many packaging machine suppliers operate the exact same way and provide the exact same machines. Often that is because they are just looking to supply more popular machines that meet the most generic needs.
But what do you do when you need a more customized solution or a machine that is not as popular for your business? What if you just prefer to do business with someone not out to make a quick buck
Well, to help you answer these questions and make a more informed decision, we came up with this list of the top reasons to choose your next supplier.
1) They can deliver to both domestic and overseas facilities.
You might think it odd to see as the number one reason but hear us out. Even if you only need your machine delivered to one location, the project management experience required to deliver packaging machine solutions around the world is an indication that they are well managed with a deep understanding of supply chain logistics. You should then feel confident that your machine will get to you safely, on time and ready to be quickly commissioned. If you have a potential supplier who only delivers to one or the other, make sure you understand why that is. They may only have rights to sell that machine in one market, possibly indicating they do not build the machines or control where they can go; they are basically just distributing it. Choosing a supplier that can ship anywhere in the world also means they can keep up as you expand your operation regardless of regulatory challenges or the complexity of the import/export process.
2) They have a long history in the packaging machine business.
Trusting your product to a new supplier is risky. Contracting with a packaging machine supplier that has deep roots in this industry usually means they own their facilities and have employees with years of experience. They likely also offer a large inventory of innovative products that have been engineered over the long term to serve multiple industries. And if you sense the supplier you’re looking at has the longevity and the attributes you are looking for, make sure to go see them in person. Visit their facilities, talk to their team and get a first-hand view of their operation before making a large investment in their automated packaging solution.
3) They design and manufacture their own machines.
It’s not the long-time packaging machine suppliers you should worry about. They have been engineering and building their own machines for years. You need to watch out for the newer suppliers out there that white label their machines. You can usually pick up on this in your research because you’ll see that some machines look the same and only the logo is different. On the other hand, if you see suppliers that have many different varieties of packaging machines, particularly many types within one line such as vertical form fill and seal machines, you’re probably on the right track. If you have a hard time deciding which of their machines you need for your operation, chances are you have a supplier that has the knowledge, expertise and manpower to build unique machines for specific results.
4) They can provide the customized machine options you need.
If you feel confident that the suppliers on your list are designing and building their own machines, then they should be able to provide some level of customization for you. Choosing a supplier that can customize their packaging machines to meet your specifications is a sure sign that they have a team of designers and engineers constantly innovating to address client needs. Even the top suppliers should not be expected to come up with a customized solution for every request, but the supplier’s ability to at least run it past an in-house engineering or R&D team should tell you a lot about their makeup and capabilities. If you ask for a customized option and all you get is silence or excuses, chances are they’re not designing, engineering and building their own machines. Make sure you choose a proactive supplier motivated to help you reach your goals and driven to innovate.
5) They offer service plans and support after the sale.
Simply stated, if you’ve made the business decision to automate your packaging processes, then it is critical that you have easy access to service and support after your machine is delivered, installed and integrated. You don’t want to lose time and money because your machine/system is down. We all know stuff happens, so even if you have qualified technicians on-site to handle your other equipment, you need a supplier that offers service packages and options for on-site training, especially if your team has not worked with automated packaging machinery before. And keep in mind that the best suppliers also use technology that allows for online support and remote problem diagnosis, so ask them about the availability of these options so you can ultimately make the right call for your facility.
So Where Do You Go From Here?
These are just our top reasons for choosing a packaging machine supplier. But what you believe is more important. Take time to make a list of questions to ask your final list of suppliers so that you can add your own reasons to the list. Then compile a list of those suppliers you would be comfortable doing business with. There is always time to talk budget and delivery schedule once you’re comfortable with your final choice.
We also believe you should shop around. We want you to be happy with your choice. We are confident in our abilities and we have a long history of providing innovative packaging machines that were conceived, designed and built by our people in our facilities. We are proud of that, and we feel honored to have delivered our solutions to many leading domestic and international operators.
We would be honored to help you package your product as well. Whether you need a bagging machine, a robotic palletizer or a complete container filling line, we are ready to be your partner. There is a reason why so many operators have trusted our machines to package their products.
When you’re ready, reach out and ask us all your questions. We’re here to help you find the right solution for your product.