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Personal Best: How to thrive in a global contract packaging economy
Q&A with Michael Hastings, president and CEO of Sterling Contract Packaging Inc.
Sterling Contract Packaging Inc. is one of the largest contract packaging firms in the Southeastern United States, now undergoing its fourth expansion in 15 years, bringing the operational space to a total 107,200 sq. ft.
Michael Hastings, Sterling CPI’s president and CEO, recently spent some time to share some perspectives on himself, his business and the industry.
On how he entered the business:
My background is in semi-durable consumer products manufacturing, from writing instruments to batteries to healthcare products. Sterling CPI grew out of a need in 1996 by a local company that needed to outsource its manufacturing. We’ve been serving that customer ever since, and have continued to grow with other companies who need the same kind of resources.
Last year, Sterling CPI managed and produced more than 40 million packages of products for various customers. Today, it would be difficult for you to go into a major U.S. retailer and not find one of our packages on the shelves.
The interview continues with Hastings’ commenting on:
• Growth and the evolution of Sterling CPI’s focus,
• What keeps him up at night,
• On trends that will change the way business is done, and
• Parting advice to other contract packagers.
READ FULL ARTICLE >>here
Co-Packer puts the pieces together
Wilsher Packaging, Bensenville, IL, runs assembly and kitting operations that are just what customers such as Wilton Brands needs to meet growing demand for its industry-leading kitchen and craft offerings.
In a 12-month period, Wilsher handles roughly 2.5 million pieces for its customers, typically assembled into multi-piece kits and displays. On any given day, 40 to 60 pallets of kits and displays, or 500 to 1000 seasonal POP displays, leave the docks of its 26,000 sq. ft. facility
Even within Wilsher’s relatively defined sweet spot of pre-packing kits and assembling retail-ready displays, customer needs are diverse, requiring a modular approach to physical assets. “We can set-up a pack-out line and move it in an instant,” says Kathy Dunn, owner of Wilsher Packaging.
Continually changing products and schedules requires a lot of flexibility and lots of movement on the floor. Aside from some stationary or bay-type operations for industrial assemblies (spools for wire products; corrugated forms, precast concrete), most lines are set-up for workers picking, packing and placing retail items, kits and displays from continuously moving conveyors.
During a visit by Contract Packaging magazine, Dunn and her management associates explained how Wilsher manages its business, and solved a time-critical challenge for Wilton Brands.
Pictured: Kathy Dunn (middle), Sherwin Katz and Gerry Delgado (right).
READ FULL ARTICLE >>here
Contract packager Pharma Tech Industries honored
Contract manufacturer/packager Pharma Tech Industries (PTI), a contract manufacturer and packager for pharmaceutical, over-the-counter, medical device, and personal care products, was selected as the Best Overall Supplier by one of the world’s five largest pharmaceutical companies. PTI stood out among a pool of 67 contract manufacturing organizations in the unnamed company’s supplier network.
"I believe it is impossible to contract a manufacturer with the small volume that we need to start
with," said a manager at one small consumer products company, one of 400 people who completed the
survey. "Manufacturers should be and must be flexible to help bring innovative products to market
with small volumes. We have many great products ready to go."
READ FULL ARTICLE >>here
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