Product shortages, longer lead times, delays within the supply chain, and not knowing exactly how to get your unique products to market, are some of the challenges Ashtonne Packaging can help customers overcome. Whether you are just starting up an Ecommerce business, or trying to grow your existing business, retail, and wholesale, Ashtonne Packaging can help! At Ashtonne Packaging, in business since 2007, we are fighting inflation and monitoring our costs to help ensure we provide value for our customers, helping them develop their business, and increase sales and profits. Please see the top ideas we suggest small businesses can do to help them get started or develop their growth:
1) Identify and/or consolidate the right suppliers- companies today don't have time to see all kinds of packaging companies and all the services each offers.
- Save time and money by dealing with a packaging partner, a custom packaging company that can provide all the products and services your company needs, and at a competitive cost.
- One company, servicing more of your packaging needs, puts more responsibility on them to ensure your packaging arrives when needed and only in the amounts needed. It also takes less time to manage your packaging, follow up orders and reduce expedites. This should be your packaging partner!
2) Process and packaging audits- allow a supplier to come in and analyze your processes and packaging. Allow a company to discuss your specific needs and goals before any packaging is discussed or quoted.
- Identify how a package is handled through your supply chain and develop solutions to move faster with fewer touches, getting your products to market sooner and with less waste.
- Are there situations where you are hand-packing product that could be done by a third party, offsite, saving time, and labor and freeing up floor space? Third-party fulfillment programs can allow you to focus on your core competencies and increase your efficiencies.
- Many times a new set of eyes can help identify "cost opportunities" in your lines and how your products are handled. Many processes in a plant were "always that way" and could be in need of a revamp.
- Review if your company is running a "LEAN" operation, identifying areas of improvement. Ashtonne Packaging will take the time to understand your operations and help you identify critical areas in your packaging process where costs can be taken out and efficiencies improved!
3) Evaluate and re-design your packaging- review all your packaging and determine what is really needed in your supply chain.
- Many times a product is over-packaged, either with too much filler or perhaps using a stronger box than what is actually necessary.
- A re-design can eliminate excess packaging and save you cost with reduced shipping weight.
- An SKU consolidation can eliminate floor space and save you money by not keeping as much inventory on your floor, and having all of it usable, avoiding damage and waste.
- Some packaging is designed to run on automated equipment which could result in leaner packaging and automated processes saving materials and labor. With labor rates in North America on the rise, a custom box designed to run on automated equipment could be a viable alternative.
- Get samples that allow for different transit situations that will result in lower labor costs, less waste, lower returns, better shipping rates, and eco-friendly materials!
- Sometimes just "tweaking" the dimensions of a carton or shying flaps can help eliminate cost.
4) Review your branding objectives as they relate to printing on your product packaging and determine if there is a better method that would save money and labor, especially as more and more packaging travels through the Ecommerce channels.
- Consider all options as the cost of cutting and printing dies can be expensive and may not be needed.
- Is it important for your logo and brand to be identified prominently on your packaging?
- With the rapid growth of e-commerce, perhaps sending your products B2C are critical. Our success with ecommerce packaging and retail packaging and allowing customers to have an unboxing experience, creating a dramatic "moment of reveal", could be a solution to improve sales and profits.
Helping Small Businesses
Helping small businesses. especially start-up and online businesses is what we do best! A recent example is our customer, Liftie, a small business in Washington, DC, where we helped them launch their product in REI ( a retailer based in Seattle focused on Outdoor Activities and apparel) in the fall of 2022.
Bottom line: Identify and partner with an experienced and reputable packaging company that is committed to helping its customers solve their packaging concerns.
Call Ashtonne Packaging (877-522-6937) and let us develop plans together to make this happen! If you are a new or start-up business, or just a small business, and are ready to make a decision, or at least consider your options, schedule a personalized meeting.