Take a close consideration at automated packaging technology before considering any in-house packaging possibility.

The Auto Bagger with Printer

This machine is designed to fill, seal, label for identification, and is adjustable from small to larger bags.  It can handle a variety of sized parts, such as for custom small hardware parts. Fapco bagger sealers will increase production, simplify the bagging operation and decrease packaging costs.  Fapco has over 20 baggers of different levels of complexity.  Average cost around $35,000, total Fapco investment, over $800,000.

Cold Seal Packaging

If you are hand picking and packing items into boxes, cartons, poly bags, bubble or padded mailers, then Fapco’s automated cold seal machinery could be a very cost effective and labor saving option for you. Cold Seal packaging works to create a secure, movement free package ready to ship.  Fapco has two state-of-the-art cold seal machines—Average cost, $85,000, total Fapco investment, almost $200,000. 

Skin Packaging

Skin Packaging is the process of adhering a flexible plastic material to a printed-paper board for the purpose of packaging a product for display, shipping or protection. Product instructions, pictures, warnings, warranties, as well as prices and sizes can be printed on the back and front.  Fapco has two machines worth a total of $200,000.

Blister Packaging

Blister packs have been a popular choice in packaging for many years, providing a cost-effective means of effectively displaying a product line.  A blister package is made up of two separate elements: a transparent plastic cavity shaped to the product and its blister board backing. These two elements are then joined together with a heat-sealing process.  Fapco’s investment in blister packaging technology is well over $50,000.

Shrink Wrapping

One of Fapco’s most affordable solutions, heat shrinking is one way of sealing shrink film to a package.  After the shrink-wrap is cut and drawn across the package, a conveyor belt sends it through a tunnel, heating and sealing the shrink film.  It is one of the easiest packages to open.  Fapco has 5 shrink wrap lines with over $100,000 invested.

“Manufacturers make products.  That’s what they know.  They’re not necessarily good packagers or retail providers after the packing is complete.  Pulling this business in-house can be a volatile and expensive prospect.  If one of your staff is pushing in-house operations, call Fapco for a plant tour and we will provide you true, cost effective solutions,” concludes Fapco President, Larry Gardiner.

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“They sell their fasteners in multi-levels–50 per box to 500 per box.  In which case we receive and retain the product in bulk, and package to whatever their sales network requires,” explains Fapco Operations Manager, Scott Sloniker. “It was an unknown how the ordering would go.  There was replenishment built into the system for mid and max levels.  This is where we really shine on handling flexible capacity to retail.”

He went on to explain that since Trinity is a major supplier of fasteners to the agricultural industry, where their catalog is distributed, the flexibility to drastically increase shipments timed with spring plowing and fall repair are key. Distribution is to the individual farmer and to the distributor retailer.

Dan Zehnder, CEO of Trinity, explains how Fapco helps meet the flex demands of his retail catalog Ag business.  “Fapco helps us by being a highly responsive organization. They handle short notice requirements that must be dealt with immediately.  Their processes allow for the flexibility to deal with interruptions that may occur.  If you have the time to plan ahead that’s great but when an urgent order comes through, Fapco handles it as well,” he states.

Zehnder explains that Trinity sets up retail programs with perimeters that predetermine for each dealer what parts quantities will be.  This includes forecasting peak and valleys during the year.  “We plan in advance when we are coming into a busy season.  Fapco then ramps up in advance of that to handle our packaging needs.  They are always working with us to look ahead to see what’s coming.  Good forward planning with a partner like this is key.”

Zehnder expects his fastener packaging partnership with Fapco to grow as Trinity opens new markets. “Trinity and Fapco are in the process of developing more integrated systems with more automated data operating systems to increase accuracy and increased their involvement with our distribution network.  We want our relationship with Fapco to grow.”

Whether its fastener packaging, cold seal packaging, or auto parts distribution services, Fapco Inc. will work to help your business grow. Get Started with Fapco Inc. today! We also offer part kitting services.

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From spark plugs to grill accessories, to ATV equipment add-ons or marine outboard motor oil, savvy OEM manufactures know that supporting the brand of their equipment with accessories and parts after the sale increases customer loyalty and increases profits. But many OEMs don’t understand that using a contract packager to warehouse, package and fulfill a wide variety of parts to loyal OEM end users can reduce internal packaging and fulfillment costs.

Scott Sloniker, Operations Manager for Fapco, a major, full-service contract packager based in the Midwest, uses the lowly spark plug as the perfect example for branding and customer loyalty. Fapco warehouses, packages and ships millions of spark plugs each year.

“We’re still doing a lot of spark plugs for OEM manufacturers.  Very few companies actually make spark plugs,” says Sloniker. “There’s probably only two or three spark plug manufacturers in North America. Yet everyone wants to have the brand of plug in his or her car, ATV or outboard that is specified in the service manual. But whether it’s a Smith Brothers plug or big box store maintenance plug, it’s the same manufacturer’s plug inside that box. The OEM was just smart enough to capitalize on this opportunity to brand themselves with loyal customers and take advantage of the profits that come along with this sale.”

Sloniker illuminated the wide range of OEM manufacturers that Fapco can help with full-service contract packaging.

“There’s an incredible array of manufacturer accessories we can help with warehousing, packaging and parts fulfillment services,” he says. “We’re talking about bikes, lawn tractors, boats, recreational vehicles, outdoor grills, hot tubs, motorcycles, chain saws, any type of OEM product maker that builds a loyal customer base can make the decision to take this accessory business from under their roof to under ours.”

Fapco cut its teeth on the parts branding business with decades of consolidation, packaging, kitting and warehousing distribution of parts and accessories for some of the largest names in the automotive business.  The high standards, information technology and quality systems are all in place to handle almost any OEM equipment operation.

“Our automotive work over the years has made us a better supplier of contract packaging,” says Sloniker. “We are now exploring new avenues of OEM packaging and branding for other industries. We can put your brand on it here. The customer is buying the component anyway, why not have us shrink wrap it, box it or card it into a marketing tool–a wrapper or a box that tells people you have branded parts. So it really is about branding with specific parts and service. And again, the parts and service business tends to be pretty profitable.  It’s an arena in which the more market share you can capture from knock-off parts manufacturers, means an avenue for new profits for many manufacturers.”

Let’s get started today with one of our packaging solutions such as our cold seal packaging or contract packaging.

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Begin the Process of Partnering with a Contract Packager for Seasonal Flex Demand

1. Make a thorough review of your supplier base

Simply put, is your supply base ready to help you meet your flex parts fulfillment or kit packaging needs? This involves gauging how much inventory is out there, how much inventory you want in the network coming through the fulfillment house and how much product is in the pipeline to replenish the contract packager to support the campaign.

2. Assess your current parts packaging/distribution/warehouse system. Do you currently have a parts distribution warehouse system?

If not, where can you build in efficiencies using the full range of services from your contract packaging and fulfillment supplier? You may want to consolidate all your suppliers to ship, warehouse and fulfill through your full service contract packager during these peak periods.

3. Are there procurement opportunities with your contract packaging partner that can expedite the supply chain?

Well-established, full service contract packagers such as Fapco can actually procure the parts directly from your supply base during peak demand periods. This can expedite the supply chain dramatically. In this scenario, parts are ordered and purchased by the contract packager. Once received parts are packaged and shipped or warehoused based on historical peak demands.

4. Work with the full-service contract packager to streamline and customize your packaging needs.

How does this flex demand packaging usually ship and is there a better way? Is it in bulk boxes, point of purchase or point of sale materials—from clamshells to blister packs for rack hanging? The team at Fapco will work closely with your flex demand campaign managers to make sure the packaging is right to save you time and lower your costs. Whatever your packaging and display guidelines and specifications, Fapco works to make them better and less costly.

5. How is the product coming in and what is the plan to fulfill?

Is the product coming in raw in an overseas container? Will Fapco be purchasing some components directly? Once this is determined what will the flex program actually be? Many manufacturers ship specific numbers of seasonal parts to distribution centers or dealerships based on previous years’ demand.

Others support the launch of new products, equipment or vehicles with estimated seasonal bundles. Fapco has the experience with a wide variety of OEMs to help your company work through this seasonal program in the most efficient manner. And see our part kitting services.

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“The customer was having problems with the sharp blades shifting and cutting through the corrugated containers they were shipped in,” said Scott Erickson of Fapco.  “The blades were damaged and the potential for damaging other freight and injuring people was running high.  In addition, stacking exposed blades on the shelf was causing cuts when employees or customers tried to pick up the blades,” he said.  “The customer looked into the use of clamshell packaging, but the high cost of tooling and the initial order quantities made it uncompetitive for small to medium volume blades. We solved this cutting edge problem with Qwik-Crate.”

Qwik-Crate laminated paperboard packaging provides superior beam strength and crush resistance for maximum product protection.  Ideal for longer packaging applications, Qwik-Crate’s patented fold-over design eliminates the need for separate end caps and provides end protection for handling and stacking. Its simple, yet durable construction makes assembly easier and faster than other packaging methods.  With no up-front tooling costs and low minimum order quantities, Qwik-Crate is ideal for low to medium-volume applications and new product introductions.

Qwik-Crate has an excellent surface finish that can be used for private labeling and point-of-purchase displays. Its exterior is white clay coat, but other surface finishes can be accommodated, which can include protective coatings as well as color printing.

Just call Fapco to find out more and also learn about our other services such as cold seal and small parts kitting packaging solutions!
1-800-782-0167

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