If ever you needed evidence of the growth of outsourcing, look no further than the page views the British Contract Manufacturers and Packers Association website attracts; in the last year, the figure has grown by a third to around 16,000 a month.
So the demand is clearly there and the challenge for the Association has been how best to link these potential clients to our 100-plus members.
The new BCMPA website, launching in June, enables brand owners to refine their search both by industry sector and by the services that members provide. By searching the database, clients can come up with a shortlist of potential outsourcing partners.
Every member has their own profile page with a summary of their capabilities, contact details and a link to their own website. In addition, a Guide to Services page lists more than 50 examples of pack formats and services provided.
It soon becomes evident that there's a lot more to the contract packing industry than just packing; it encompasses a broad spectrum of operations from pack design, formulation and filling right through to services such as warehousing, distribution and fulfilment.
A feature of the new website is the online form where clients can enter details of a project that can then be circulated to members.? Pop-up prompts ensure clients fill in essential data to enable members to ascertain whether they have the appropriate facilities to help.
So a client may need a supplier to formulate shampoo, blend and fill it into 150ml bottles, label it and pack it into shelf-ready packaging, store and distribute on their behalf. They enter this information, give an idea of quantities, and then wait for suppliers to come back to them.
It is, as they say, as simple as that.
