Too often, distributors get caught up in the cost of industrial packaging materials and lose sight of the value their suppliers can deliver. Of course, the price of the industrial packaging products businesses use to handle, protect, ship, and sell products contributes to your profitability. But they also can contribute to your brand image and marketing efforts. More important, your supplier should serve as your partner, helping you become as profitable as possible.

So, while inquiries into cost top our list of questions, distributors should ask industrial packaging manufacturers and suppliers other key questions as well to ensure they are the right fit for their business. 

1. What is your pricing policy?
   You should expect a transparent answer, though transparency does not necessarily mean simplistic. An industrial packaging supplier dedicated to forging a true partnership will offer several options that help distributors save money and streamline their supply chain. They might, for example, offer discounts on bulk orders (quantities that qualify for the discount likely will vary by vendor and product). Distributors should also remember that price is only half of the value equation. Low price is only beneficial if it is attached to products you need, and paired with the quality and service you demand.
   
   
2. How quickly can you fulfill our orders?
   Lead times vary significantly among suppliers. Those with only a few distribution centers cannot hope to meet expedited orders far from their warehouses. National-scale industrial packaging suppliers that maintain several warehouses are better positioned to get you the items you need quickly. Many warehouses also help mitigate regional shortages, as they can bulk ship in-demand items between their facilities. 
   
   

3. Can you meet our industrial packaging supplies demand?
   A supplier who does not invest in its own supply chain or maintain sufficient production facilities and staff to deliver on its commitments is best left to the competition. Don’t be afraid to ask a potential industrial supply partner for references and a list of current partners. This will not only show you which leading brands trust the company but also the types and sizes of the firms they are best suited to serve. You will get the best results by sharing your own load demand so they can give an honest assessment of their capacity and service level.
   
   
4. How diverse and extensive is your product line?
   Even if you have only a few current industrial packaging needs, it is a good idea to explore all the solutions a supplier offers. Options that can be pressed into service in the event of a supply chain disruption or that can be adapted when product specifications change, can prove to be invaluable. They might even have standard products that you have been paying a premium to have custom-built. Just as important, they may not offer a packaging product you will need in the near future, which would force you to seek out another provider, further complicating and fragmenting your supply chain.
   
   
5. Do you offer industrial packaging product customizations?
   Increasingly, industrial distributors are focusing on branding and customer service in their efforts to capture market share. That extends to their packaging. Including a logo, tagline, and other identifying features, makes customers more likely to remember you and come back for more. Full-service industrial packaging manufacturers will have a range of color, print direction, die cut, and other customizations available. They should also be able to customize bags, boxes, and dispensing methods to match your application.
   
   
6. Do you offer secure packaging product options?
   Critical not just for food and pharmaceutical companies, safe, secure packaging is becoming a priority in the industrial setting. Bags and boxes that deter theft, prevent spoilage due to ultraviolet light, static, moisture, and tampering protect distributors from loss and liability. Top industrial packaging suppliers carry product lines that include a variety of seals, straps, and wrapping to deter unauthorized or accidental opening.
   
   
7. Do you offer environmentally friendly packaging products?
   Customers increasingly demand the companies they do business with adhere to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. Environmentally conscious packaging such as pouches and bags made of compostable paper contribute to the circular economy and help businesses demonstrate their commitment to preserving the planet. Seek venders that carry packaging in a variety of sizes so you can minimize the material you use to ship and store items.

Picking the wrong industrial packaging supplier can be detrimental to your distribution company’s success so it is worth taking the extra time to weigh out your options and ask the right questions upfront. As a distributor who is reviewing and comparing industrial packaging suppliers, you are looking for a long term partner that can provide the packaging solutions you need, when you need them. 

LK Packaging has been helping distributors meet their customers’ industrial, food service, and healthcare packaging needs for 55 years. We supply high-quality, ready-to-ship products and implement collaborative strategies that help our partners grow their businesses. If interested in learning more about our products and services, contact us for information on becoming an LK distributor.