Are you getting the level of service you want from your supplier? Is the quality of your packaging what you expect? Do you believe your costs are too high? Here are a few ways that might be able to improve that relationship.
Pay bills on time. Cash is king and the packaging industry is not any different. As a result, customers who are chronically delinquent seldom receive the lowest possible pricing or the best possible service. Pay your bills on time, perhaps ask if they offer discounted terms. This may help your standing among their other customers and assist with special requests.
Consolidate purchases or increase business. The more you purchase from a packaging company the more incentive and opportunity you give them to reduce prices. Volume is critical to them, the more you give them the more important you become. Also, consolidate your purchases, shipping 10 items rather than 5 on a PO may reduce their shipping costs and pass those savings on to you.
Avoid rush orders. If every one of your orders is an emergency, your supplier will be forced to increase prices at some point, not only because of the extra shipping costs involved, but also because the continual disruption to their production schedule. Inventory control is key.
Communication. Response time = better service. Fast response time works both ways. If you are chronically slow in getting back to your packaging supplier with important information, it may restrict their ability to get whatever it is you need in a timely manner. For instance in production, schedules are created and can take time to alter. Paper ordered, tooling ordered, a delay of even an hour may restrict your suppliers or their vendors ability to alter their schedules. Details matter. Leaving out a seemingly minor details can cause delays. Be sure to communicate receiving hours, dock restrictions, over/ under run percentage expectations, PO or Bill of Ladings information, etc. are all critical pieces of information that need to be communicated upfront. Chasing an order to add this information can cause delays in production or shipping. Constructive criticism (if needed). If you are not satisfied with a particular product, the way it is palletized or shipped, the way phone calls are answered, or anything else your packaging supplier is doing that you don’t like, let them know as soon and as frankly as possible. If a supplier is not aware of a problem, they can not fix it.
We can help!
If you feel you are not getting the level of service or quality that you need, reach out to us and let us help. info@pack-design.com
