Choosing a reliable insulated packaging supplier ensures that temperature-sensitive products, like pharmaceuticals and perishable goods, stay protected during shipping. The insulated packaging market drivers include the rising demand for ready-to-eat food, carbonated beverages and medicines.
If the packaging fails, it could compromise the efficacy of vaccines and medications or cause perishable food items to spoil. This could lead to significant financial losses and potentially harm patients or consumers.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to choose an insulated packaging supplier whose products will protect your own so that you can serve your end users better.
What Are Insulated Packaging Solutions?
Insulated packaging is designed to help products maintain a specific temperature range during transportation. Companies may choose to use insulated packaging solutions instead of relying solely on trucks with refrigeration capabilities for several reasons, including:
- Lower operational costs.
- Greater flexibility in transportation methods.
- Easier and quicker loading times.
- Additional thermal protection in power outages.
Insulated packaging can be made of paper, cotton, polyurethane foam or low-density polyethylene. It can also be supplemented with packaging solutions like gel packs.
Why Is It Important to Pick a Reliable Insulated Packaging Supplier?
There are several reasons why choosing a reliable insulated packaging supplier is important for cold chain shipping companies:
- Packaging integrity and safety: A reliable supplier ensures their solutions help shipped items maintain the required temperature ranges during transit.
- Regulatory compliance: A dependable supplier’s packaging solutions will comply with the strict regulations for industries with temperature-sensitive products. These suppliers typically provide the necessary documentation for audits and compliance checks, helping businesses avoid legal issues and penalties.
- Consistency and reliability: Timely delivery of packaging solutions helps maintain shipping schedules. A trustworthy supplier also ensures their products perform consistently across shipments. This reliability helps businesses plan better and reduces uncertainty in supply chain operations.
- Long-term value: Investing in quality insulated packaging from a reliable supplier minimizes the risk of product loss and can lead to cost savings over time.
- Corporate social responsibility: Many suppliers prioritize sustainability by offering eco-friendly packaging options. Choosing such suppliers can help your business align with corporate social responsibility goals and improve brand reputation.
- Tailored solutions: A dependable supplier often has the capability to customize packaging solutions based on their client’s specific product needs, shipment durations and environmental conditions. This flexibility allows businesses to optimize their shipping processes.
What to Look for When Choosing an Insulated Packaging Supplier
When choosing an insulated packaging supplier, consider the following factors to ensure you select a reliable partner that meets your operational needs.
Experience in the Industry
Select a supplier with substantial experience in cold chain logistics, especially with pharmaceutical or perishable goods. An experienced partner will have faced various challenges and developed effective solutions, ensuring smoother operations.
Look for the following characteristics while researching an insulated packaging supplier:
- Outstanding client references: Request references from other clients in similar sectors to gauge the supplier’s reputation and reliability. Read reviews or case studies from other businesses before making a commitment.
- Quality assurance processes: Check if the supplier has quality control measures to ensure consistent quality. Are they up to date with current regulations regarding insulated packaging solutions?
- Thermal performance: Look for suppliers who conduct rigorous testing to demonstrate thermal performance that complies with industry standards. You can request data on how long their packaging can maintain specific conditions without temperature excursions — just remember that specific performance varies depending on individual shipping conditions.
- Lead times and availability: Timely delivery is important in maintaining productivity and minimizing financial losses. Evaluate the supplier’s ability to determine demand, meet deadlines and adapt to changes in demand. The supplier should also have ready-to-use products on hand to better ensure hassle-free delivery.
A Diverse Product Range
Ensure the supplier offers various insulated packaging solutions to meet different temperature requirements. A diverse product range allows for supplier consolidation. Determine whether they offer:
- Custom solutions: Opt for suppliers that can provide custom packaging solutions tailored to your products. These may include color-coded gel packs or cold packs with a thank-you note or your business’s contact information.
- Space-efficient packaging: Choose suppliers that offer space-efficient packaging solutions to reduce storage and transportation costs.
- Sustainable solutions: As consumers and businesses become more environmentally conscious, choosing suppliers that offer biodegradable, recyclable or reusable options can augment your brand’s reputation. Prioritize suppliers who offer drain-safe gel pack designs or whose products can be upcycled.
Reasonable Packaging Prices
Obtain quotes from multiple suppliers to compare prices and the level of service provided. Consider both upfront costs and long-term value based on the business’s performance and reliability. You can also inquire about discounts for larger orders or long-term contracts to optimize cost savings.
However, avoid sacrificing quality for lower costs — this may lead to higher expenses in the long run due to product damage or returns.
Ability to Scale
Can the supplier scale their offerings as your business grows or your shipping needs evolve? The best suppliers collaborate with clients and provide ongoing support to meet their evolving needs.
Final Tips for Choosing an Insulated Packaging Supplier
When considering your insulated packaging for shipping, especially for temperature-sensitive products, you’ll need to evaluate several key factors:
- Temperature requirements: Identify the temperature range needed for shipping your products, whether room temperature, refrigerated or frozen. For example, vaccines should be stored between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit, while seafood, ice cream and some meats must be deep-frozen.
- Transit duration: You’ll also need to determine how long the products must be kept within the desired temperature range during transit.
- Product sensitivity: Some of the most temperature-sensitive products are found in the pharmaceutical, biology, medical and food industries. Ensuring these products arrive at their destination in the same condition as they left the departure point can be challenging.
- Insulation material: Evaluate insulation solutions based on their thermal performance. Consider eco-friendly options, such as sustainable gel packs, and their recyclability to align with sustainability goals.
- Design considerations: Cold chain packaging comes in various forms, including boxes and cold packs. Packaging must withstand the rigors of transport without compromising insulation while being lightweight enough to help reduce shipping costs. For example, cold packs should be puncture-resistant to avoid leaks.
Safeguard Your Temperature-Sensitive Shipments With Pelton Shepherd Industries
Choosing a reliable insulated packaging supplier will better ensure that your temperature-sensitive products remain protected during transportation. When you want an innovative solution that keeps your products within specified temperature ranges, you can rely on Pelton Shepherd.
Pelton Shepherd offers sustainable ice packs and gel packs that minimize temperature deviations and maximize space. Our durable gel packs for the commercial transport of pharmaceutical goods and perishables simplify cold chain delivery, whether you’re looking for last-mile shipping solutions or to transport perishables between intermediaries. Additionally, when you sign up for our Conditioning Operations, Logistics and Delivery (COLD) program, you’ll get the gel packs you need when you need them.
For more information on how our products can help your cold chain supply, contact our team — we look forward to hearing from you.
