Retail co-packing
Full-service contract packaging that gets your products to stores on time and on budget: cartoned, wrapped, labeled, kitted or built into a display, in one plant in Gurnee, Illinois.
- Plant
- 200,000 sq ft, Gurnee, Illinois
- Isolated production area
- 25,000 sq ft
- Mail and parcel
- Premier USPS Customer
Retail co-packing
A co-packer for widely known brands and small businesses aiming to grow
It’s clear you’ve got great products, but maximizing their potential to reach the masses through assembly and distribution will require some help. That’s where MGA Innovation enters the picture. As an experienced and efficient retail co-packing company, we manufacture and package large orders, from widely known brands to small businesses aiming to grow.
Working with a co-packer is paramount to the success of your business. Talk to us about co-packing for your retail product lines.
Co-packing, explained
What a co-packer does, and why brands use one
General notes
What is a co-packing company?
A retail co-packing company (also known as a contract packager) is a business that specializes in the manufacture and packaging of products for clients. These partnerships are formed for many reasons, including:
- The contract packer’s ability to provide large-scale packaging and distribution services.
- Co-packing facilities adhere to regulations and have ample space, technical equipment and staff.
- A business’s need to focus on product creation, marketing and production while meeting the demands of consumers.
- An organization’s desire to preserve long-term growth by mitigating costs.
How does the co-packing process work?
From paper products to cosmetics, cleaning supplies and thousands of other items, our co-packing objective at MGA remains the same: we invest in the processes and solutions to get your products into the store or related destination, so you can spend more time focusing on the production of your products.
Work with us during the creation of your product chain strategy. We know how to plan for consumer demands and can address any production scaling needs. Our team also knows how to maintain the appearance of your product from the moment it is packed to when it reaches retail shelves.
Where can a co-packer take cost out?
Often in the packaging itself: reducing the size of the primary packaging, changing from Kraft to test paper, and changing the shipping case size to cut the number of shipments. Every lever we review with you is set out on How we work; why they matter is in 4 benefits of working with a co-packing company.
On the line
Co-packing capabilities
Every one of these runs under one roof, against one inventory record, so a retail program never has to change hands between vendors.
Cartoning
Our specialized machinery can enclose your items in corrugated cardboard, chipboard and other cartoning materials. Carton packaging is an environmentally friendly resource that can quickly and safely hold items for retail stores, as well as other production pieces like samplers.
Overwrapping
Protect your products for transport and present them with professionalism. MGA offers cost-effective overwrapping that provides security and visual appeal for e-commerce, direct mail, subscription boxes and more.
Shrink wrapping
Create a tight seal that conforms to the shape of your products. Transparent shrink film can be used on small and large items as a protective layer. Our shrink wrap keeps items looking flawless with a barrier that maintains their visibility.
Labeling
Clearly categorize the contents of your product with our label printing applications. Your packaging can have labels affixed to easily scan or read for product type, volume, weight, measurements and more.
Kitting
Use MGA’s vast abilities as a retail co-packing company to your advantage. Sort, package and distribute separate items together in a single unit through shipping kits under the same SKU. You’ll reduce expenses and streamline inventory through this process.
Counter displays
We are a co-packer that can complete counter or point of purchase (POP) displays. Catch the eye of consumers with products that are easy to find in shelf-ready packaging that is appealing and attractive.
Club trays
Great for large retailers and “big box” stores, club trays allow for large product organization while remaining front-facing for consumer purchases. Display products with your promotional branding directly on the club packaging.
Pallet displays
Another advantage for retailers who need to display a large number of products, pallet displays make it simple. Combine trays on a single pallet in transport with a protective wrapping material. Remove the covering and your products are set for sale.
Spec panels
The processes behind a retail co-packing program
| Zone | Process | Equipment |
|---|---|---|
| Production area | CartoningItems enclosed in corrugated, chipboard and folding cartons for retail, sampling and mail. | Kodiak vertical cartoners · Adco semi-automatic horizontal cartoner · PMI Kyoto semi-automatic vertical cartoner |
| Production area | OverwrappingCartons, trays and bundles sealed in clear film: diamond-fold, tuck-and-fold and bundle wraps, easy-open or extra-security films. | Fuji overwrappers |
| Production area | Shrink wrappingTransparent shrink film for multipacks and single items, small to large orders. | Shanklin shrink wrappers |
| LabelingProduct, case and pallet labels applied for scan and read: type, volume, weight, measurements. | Label Airs | |
| Production area | KittingSeparate items combined into one unit under one SKU: subscription boxes, promotional kits, sample packs. | Portable custom-built assembly lines |
| Production area | Display build and pack-outCounter, club tray and corrugated pallet displays built, filled and shipped shelf-ready. |
Working with MGA
The same resources as the industry leaders, at any size
MGA has 60 years of experience as a retail co-packing company for businesses large and small.
If you are a startup organization, partner with us for your co-packing needs. You’ll get access to the same resources as major industry leaders while you keep your own investment in the product.
We can also help with:
- Microsite hosting: highlight specific brands with a dedicated site.
- Custom solutions: order to your unique specifications, anywhere in the product packaging process.
- Fulfillment: single-phase production and fulfillment from the same plant and the same inventory.
Additionally, as a Premier USPS Customer, you receive real advantages throughout the shipping process. See USPS mail operations.
MGA provides excellent customer service, competitive pricing and flexibility to meet our customers' demand.
PPI Beauty
Talk to us about your retail product lines
Send the item, the pack and the date. An estimator will quote against the line it would run on.