A recent packaging trend with the customer determining a
package’s design has changed the way supply chain runs. With the increased
customization of products and packaging, this requires more innovation for the
packaging department in order to satisfy the customers’ needs. Along with
customization there follows the issue of balancing “lower quantity items at a
cost-effective point”, (http://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/global_packaging_design_emphasizes_convenience_ergonomics_and_customization).
We think that this new level of customization will cause there to be an increase
in the cost of a product and/or the cost of shipping that product simply due to
the tweaks in packaging design.
The “Packaging strategies” article mentions Frito-Lay
offering customers a unique potato chip experience by requesting their own
picture on the bag. This is very interesting, because such extensive
customization on the packaging must be very costly to the business. On the
other hand, by providing the customer with their own input to the final product
of the packaging, this may generate more attention and appeal for the brand. One
question we have for discussion is whether or not companies who offer
customized packaging will benefit more from producing packaging at their own
fulfillment centers or to go with a 3PL? (https://www.packagingstrategies.com/blogs/14-packaging-strategies-blog/post/87894-personalization-and-more-trends-in-packaging)
