A new approach is taking the industry by storm with regards to packaging, offering incredible benefits for establishing and growing West African consumer packaged goods (CPG) firms.
Let’s dive into how this fresh perspective on flexible packaging can revolutionise your business and give you a competitive edge.
The traditional service and manufacturing models in the flexible packaging industry have been in place for decades, but emerging digital technology is shaking things up.
One company leading the charge in this digital revolution is ePac Flexible Packaging. Founded in 2016, ePac is disrupting the packaging landscape by offering a fast and convenient way for small and medium-sized businesses to acquire custom flexible packaging.
One of the key elements driving the transformation in flexible packaging is the utilisation of wide-web digital printing technology. ePac has built its entire manufacturing platform around the latest innovation in this field—the HP Indigo 20000. This cutting-edge technology enables true high-definition custom printing with variable imaging, eliminating the need for costly plates and offering unparalleled flexibility.
Meeting the needs of growing CPG firms
Flexibility and adaptability are crucial for CPG firms in economies such as Ghana, and ePac understands this well. It specialises in competitively priced short to medium run-length orders, allowing businesses to print exactly what they need when they need it.
This approach minimises inventory costs, reduces obsolescence risks, and enables brands to respond quickly to market demands.
In the fast-paced world of CPG, time is of the essence. ePac recognises this and has optimised its manufacturing platform to provide industry-leading customer service.
With turnaround times ranging from 5 to 15 business days, ePac ensures that your packaging orders are fulfilled swiftly, allowing you to meet tight deadlines and keep your business running smoothly.
Accessibility is crucial when it comes to choosing a packaging partner. ePac is making its mark by expanding its footprint across the globe. Currently, they are located throughout the world, including West Africa, United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, EU, East Asia, and Australia.
This growing presence means that growing and multinational CPG firms can benefit from ePac’s innovative approach to flexible packaging, regardless of their location.
How multinational corporations can also benefit
It’s not just emerging CPG firms that can benefit from the advantages of this new approach to flexible packaging; multinational corporations can also reap the rewards.
In an increasingly globalised marketplace, these companies often face the challenge of managing diverse product lines and catering to different regional markets. The flexibility and versatility of digitally printed flexible packaging provide a solution.
With the ability to create customised packaging in shorter runs and with faster turnaround times, multinational corporations can efficiently adapt their packaging to specific regional requirements, localised marketing campaigns, or product variations.
This agility allows them to maintain brand consistency while catering to the unique needs and preferences of various markets.
Furthermore, the high-definition printing capabilities and customisation options enable multinational corporations to showcase their brand identity and enhance product appeal, making a lasting impression on consumers worldwide.
By leveraging this new approach to flexible packaging, multinational corporations can streamline their operations, drive market penetration, and strengthen their global presence.
Leveraging technology to help give West African CPG firms a competitive advantage
Connected packaging offers a range of benefits that can revolutionise the way brands engage with consumers and protect their products. With serialised QR codes provided by ePacConnect, brands can ensure authenticity and security.
Consumers can easily verify the legitimacy of a product by scanning the QR code, giving them peace of mind and protecting them from counterfeit goods. This builds trust and strengthens the brand’s integrity, showing consumers that their safety is a top priority.
Moreover, connected packaging opens up exciting possibilities for consumer engagement. Brands can create interactive experiences and deliver tailored content to consumers through the scanned QR codes.
Whether it’s sharing information about product sourcing, offering recipes, or providing exclusive promotions and discounts, connected packaging allows brands to forge long-lasting connections with their customers.
The data gathered from these interactions can also be invaluable for understanding consumer behaviour, demographics, and values, enabling brands to fine-tune their marketing strategies and drive sales.
In addition to consumer engagement, connected packaging enables end-to-end traceability throughout the supply chain. With ePacConnect, brands can track their products from manufacturing to the point of purchase and even through disposal or recycling.
This comprehensive tracking provides critical insights into the supply chain, enhancing business intelligence and strengthening logistics.
By monitoring the product’s journey at an individual level, brands can ensure the integrity of their products, optimise their operations, and mitigate potential risks.
Overall, connected packaging offered by ePacConnect brings a new level of transparency, engagement, and security to the packaging industry. It empowers brands to build trust with consumers, deliver personalised experiences, protect against counterfeiting, and gain valuable insights into their supply chain.
Design services for CPG firms
In the competitive world of consumer-packaged goods (CPG), packaging design plays a pivotal role in attracting customers and conveying brand identity. Recognising this, a forward-thinking flexible packaging company should go beyond just manufacturing and offer comprehensive packaging design services.
This ensures that new CPG firms, especially those venturing into the market for the first time, can receive expert guidance to create print-ready packaging that truly represents their brand.
ePac understands the significance of packaging design in the success of CPG firms. To meet this need, they have developed strategic partnerships with vetted design firms that have a proven track record of creating visually stunning and highly effective packaging.
By sub-contracting these design services, ePac ensures that their customers have access to top-notch designers who possess the expertise to craft picture-perfect packaging.
Through this collaborative approach, ePac and their design partners work closely with new CPG firms to understand their brand vision, target audience, and product positioning. They provide valuable insights, creative input, and technical expertise to transform ideas into compelling packaging designs that are print-ready.
This seamless integration of design services within the flexible packaging supply chain empowers emerging CPG firms to confidently launch their products with packaging that stands out on the shelves and resonates with consumers.
Taking West African food exports to new heights
For food companies in West Africa, the dream of expanding their reach and exporting their products abroad is becoming more attainable than ever. And with the right packaging solution, this dream can turn into a reality.
The new approach to flexible packaging offered by companies like ePac is poised to disrupt the export game for West African food producers, providing them with the tools they need to succeed in international markets.
One of the biggest challenges for West African food companies looking to export is ensuring that their products arrive at their destination in optimal condition.
This is where innovative flexible packaging comes in. With its high-quality materials and advanced technologies, this packaging solution offers exceptional protection for perishable food items during transportation.
From aromatic spices and exotic fruits to traditional sauces and specialty snacks, West African food products can now withstand the rigors of long-distance shipping without compromising their quality.
Additionally, the customisation options provided by flexible packaging are a game-changer for companies seeking to make a memorable impression in foreign markets. Through vibrant and eye-catching designs, businesses can showcase the rich cultural heritage and unique flavors of West Africa.
Whether it’s a colorful package depicting the lush landscapes of the region or a clever use of typography and graphics to communicate the product’s authenticity, flexible packaging allows companies to tell their story and captivate consumers around the globe.
Moreover, the flexibility in order quantities offered by companies like ePac ensures that West African food producers can adapt to the demands of different markets.
Whether it’s a small trial run for a niche market or a larger production batch to meet the needs of a distributor, the ability to order shorter runs of packaging eliminates the barriers that previously hindered smaller businesses from entering the export arena.
This flexibility not only reduces financial risks but also allows companies to test the waters, refine their offerings, and gradually scale their export operations.
With the advent of this new approach to flexible packaging, West African food companies have a golden opportunity to share their culinary treasures with the world.
By investing in quality packaging that safeguards the integrity of their products, embracing custom designs that highlight their unique identity, and leveraging the flexibility in order quantities, these companies can confidently venture into international markets, make a lasting impact, and pave the way for a prosperous future of West African food exports.
