How co-packing technologies support the supply chain?

Every manufacturer has unique requirements for their goods, which necessitates the use of appropriate technology in the preparation for sale. Co-packing, depending on the industry or specificity of the goods, can involve simple operations related to identification, but also more advanced ones including grouping or product display. For many years, these types of operations were performed manually, but thanks to advancing automation, many of them are now carried out with the support of advanced technologies that increase efficiency, enabling the realization of large volumes in a short time.

Co-packing services cover two areas. The first involves working with a closed product that already has individual packaging. Product identification, i.e., labeling, placing barcodes, printing expiry dates or batch numbers, belongs to the simplest processes. It is used, among others, when introducing products to export markets to apply naturalization labels, describing, for example, the product’s composition in the language of a given country. More advanced operations include grouping products and preparing them for display, which often requires the use of automation. Many different techniques can be used for this purpose – from foiling, to heat sealing, blistering, or cartoning. Combining products has recently become an extremely popular sales tactic, stimulating sales by encouraging consumers to buy several units of a product at once. The last group of processes performed on a closed product includes the display of goods at points of sale, which is another element of the sales strategy, especially in retail chains and discount stores. This includes the assembly of stands, packing advent calendars, or gift sets. This is a particularly demanding process because it is carried out in a short period of time with very large volumes. It requires not only excellent organization and process automation, but also human resources to ensure the goods reach stores on time during sales peaks.

The second area involves working with semi-open products, requiring greater precision and additional technologies that meet restrictive quality and hygiene standards. In these activities, machines enable employees to efficiently pack products into individual packages. This includes, among others, dispensing, portioning, or repacking goods from bulk packaging into smaller units. “Co-packing also includes co-manufacturing, which involves direct intervention in the product, often changing its functional and physical properties. This is a more industrial, almost manufacturing step. At FM Logistic, most activities are automated, with machines capable of sorting products and packaging them in blister packs or bags. Co-manufacturing projects in Sered are based on long-term contracts, which is different from packaging services, which consist of many individual orders”, explains Julien Lalande, Platform Director in Sered, FM Logistic.

Co-packing is much more than just product packaging. It is a complex process that supports manufacturers in optimizing logistics, reducing costs, and at the same time enabling quick adaptation of the offer to current trends.

“Manufacturers choose co-packing services because they want to focus primarily on production and sales. Packaging related to preparing products for promotional campaigns is often seasonal or occasional and requires large volumes to be produced in a relatively short time. This requires space, technological and human resources, as well as efficient delivery of packaging materials. By outsourcing these operations, the customer pays for a specific order and does not have to bear the costs of investment and maintenance of infrastructure and excess staff during less intense sales periods.”, adds Julien Lalande, FM Logistic.

However, the role of the logistics operator can begin much earlier. Already at the planning stage, the manufacturer can count on professional advice regarding the processes and technologies that will work best for a given product, as well as regarding display requirements in retail chains. Such cooperation is also an added value for companies starting distribution – both for new companies on the market and for brands that want to enter Polish retail chains. Knowledge of the requirements of individual chains, market specifics, and legal regulations allows for shortening the product adaptation time and accelerating its distribution.

The FM Logistic logistics center in Sered is one of the largest co-packing centers in Europe, playing a key role in providing comprehensive logistics services. Thanks to modern technologies and efficient use of space, including more than 88,000 pallet positions, the center maintains a high level of organization and flexibility. Its strategic location between Bratislava and Košice, as well as its proximity to Poland, the Czech Republic, and Austria, enables effective supply chain management and the provision of services at an international level. 

“Our platform in Sered is designed to provide comprehensive solutions for our customers, with a focus on flexibility and process efficiency. Ownership of the building allows us to quickly adapt the space and operations without having to consult with a developer.”, emphasizes Julien Lalande, managing the FM Logistic platform in Sered.

Sered offers competitive rates compared to other European countries, while maintaining a high level of technological advancement. This makes foreign companies willing to transfer their packaging and distribution processes here, even if the actual production takes place outside the country. In addition, co-packing services in Sered are also an advantageous solution for export companies whose products are not directly intended for the Slovak market but are intended for distribution to other countries.