Trade shows are a goldmine for brand owners seeking to find the right food copacker. With so many options available, knowing what to look for can make all the difference in selecting a partner who can turn your vision into a high-quality, scalable product. Here’s how to spot a standout copacker at a trade show and make the most of your time exploring your options.
1. Professional-Looking Booth
First impressions matter, and a polished, organized booth is a sign of a copacker who takes their work seriously. A professional setup often indicates that the copacker pays attention to detail and values their reputation. Look for a clean, well-branded space with clear signage and materials that reflect their business’s values and focus. A top-tier copacker will also have knowledgeable representatives ready to engage with you and answer questions.
2. Samples of Manufacturing Capabilities
A reputable copacker should proudly display samples of the types of products they can produce. These might include a variety of items like nutrition bars, cookies, granola, or snack mixes—whatever aligns with their manufacturing strengths. Don’t hesitate to taste and inspect these samples closely. This hands-on experience will give you a clearer sense of the quality you can expect and how well they can execute products similar to yours.
3. Samples of Packaging Capabilities
Packaging can make or break your product’s appeal, and a good copacker will understand this. Look for samples of their packaging capabilities, from stand-up pouches and pillow bags to individually wrapped bars or cartons. Seeing and touching the packaging options firsthand can help you assess whether they offer solutions that align with your brand’s image and market requirements. Ask questions about their ability to customize packaging or accommodate unique packaging needs.
4. Ready Information About Operations and Experience
A great copacker will be well-prepared with information about their operations, facilities, and track record. They should be able to explain how they manage production runs, quality control, and timelines, and they should also be transparent about the certifications they hold, such as SQF or GFSI accreditation or if they are kosher certified. Ask about their experience with projects similar to yours and how they’ve helped other brands successfully scale up from concept to market.
5. Videos of Their Production Processes
Since most trade shows don’t allow full-scale production demonstrations, videos can be a powerful tool. A reliable copacker will often have videos showing their production lines in action, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how they work. This can help you visualize how your product might be made and provide insight into their equipment and production capabilities. Look for videos that are clear, informative, and provide a realistic representation of their operations.
Keep an Open Mind
While you evaluate different copackers, it’s important to remain open-minded. Sometimes, how you produce a product on a bench top or in your own facility might differ from how it is executed by a larger-scale manufacturer. A good copacker may offer different techniques or equipment that still yield the same end product but more efficiently and consistently. Embracing this flexibility can lead to better production outcomes and save time and resources in the long run.
In Summary
Finding the right food copacker at a trade show involves more than just picking the most eye-catching booth. It requires thoughtful exploration and an open mind. Look for a copacker with a professional setup, samples that reflect high manufacturing and packaging standards, ready information about their operations, and videos of their production processes. By doing so, you’ll be well-equipped to identify a copacker who can help your brand grow successfully, maintaining the quality and integrity of your product.
Trade shows can be a whirlwind, but with these tips in mind, you’ll be on your way to finding the perfect manufacturing partner for your business. Happy hunting!
Visit World Wide Gourmet Foods at the 2024 Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) in Chicago next week! We are in booth F4808.
World Wide Gourmet Foods 