Fun and unique products are wonderful, but they may just lie on the shelf without people noticing or get abandoned in online shopping carts. There are several reasons why this happens, but one of the most common is mediocre packaging.
Businesses not only have to think about the quality and value of the products they offer, but they also need to make sure they present their brand in such a way that will quickly capture customers’ limited attention.
For everyone who is trying to pave a way for their business in Mexico and is in search of packaging suppliers in Mexico, this guide is for you.
Insights into the Mexico Packaging Industry
When it comes to finding packaging suppliers in Mexico, there is good news for business owners and investors. According to reports from Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI), Mexico’s packaging industry is booming. To quote some statistics, “The latest statistics show that total Mexican packaging production reached 9.1 million tons of containers and material valued at US$10.1 billion.”
The cardboard and paper packaging sectors are especially productive, followed by the plastic, metal, glass, and wood packaging sectors respectively.
This is good news because this means that you have tons of choices available for your products! No matter what your brand concept is and whichever type of packaging you like (wood, cloth, cardboard, plastic, foam, etc.) – you won’t have too much trouble finding the right supplier.
The next question now is, how do you choose the right packaging suppliers in Mexico for your business?
What to Consider?
Finding the right packaging suppliers in Mexico requires asking the following questions.
What type of packaging do you need? Think about your product, niche, and target customers carefully. While there are suppliers out there who offer all kinds of packaging supplies, they may not be able to provide the solution that you are specifically looking for.
For example, they may be great at making paper and cardboard packaging, but they may not have the capacity or technology to supply cloth packaging. So, make sure that the supplier you deal with is a reliable expert at the type of packaging needed by your business.
What is the quality? This will always be a relevant question when choosing a supplier to partner with. Choose a manufacturer that can guarantee the quality of products they offer over a long period of time.
Do they design for you or not? The look and feel of the packages you’re using will have a direct effect on how your products will perform when they get to market. If you can find a packaging supplier that already has the boxes you need to achieve your marketing goals, then that saves you some time and effort. However, if you want to be more in control of the packaging design or have non-standard packaging in mind, then it is best to choose a supplier who can provide custom services.
How quickly can your packaging orders be delivered? Marketing campaigns and sales cycles require precise control of production and selling timeframes. Ensure that your packages will always be delivered on time without damage.
How are risks handled? Business is full of risks and it depends on you to prevent accidents from happening as much as possible. So when choosing a packaging supplier in Mexico, carefully check each company for their security guarantees and if there are any hidden costs involved in case a batch of packages gets lost, is delivered late, or is damaged.
Are the packages offered reusable and sustainable? Consumers are becoming more aware of sustainability, so it is a good idea to select a packaging supplier with green credentials. Reusable and sustainable packages can boost your product’s value in the market and visibility amongst the competition.
Direct Supplier vs. Indirect Supplier
There are generally two types of packaging suppliers in Mexico.
One is a direct supplier, which is a manufacturer who creates the packaging in their own factories and uses their own technology and machines.
The other is an indirect supplier, which is a company that in turn outsources part or most of the manufacturing process to a third party. For example, they will buy cloth bags from another company, and then they will be responsible for printing your brand or logo on these before they are delivered on to you.
Each type has its pros and cons and making sure you understand each of your options will help you come to the best decision for your unique situation.
When working with a direct packaging supplier, try to visit on-site and see exactly how the packaging is manufactured.
As for indirect suppliers, aim to mitigate the risk coming from the third-party company. For example, what if the delay or damage to the items comes from them? Will the supplier you are dealing with cover the cost involved and will they inform you if it happens?
Finding the right packaging suppliers in Mexico may require a bit of legwork, but it’s worth the effort. To make your search easier, Zipfox hand-curates a list of packaging suppliers who can provide a solution that works for you. Partner with top manufacturers, enjoy quality packaging products, and ensure a safe supply chain for your business.