What does a contract packaging company actually do for a CPG brand?
A contract packaging company handles the physical assembly, packaging, and quality control of your product using their own facility, equipment, and operators. You provide the product and packaging specs; they handle the production run. That frees your team to focus on sales, distribution, and product development rather than managing a packaging line.
How does outsourced packaging help brands grow without buying equipment?
Instead of purchasing a line outright, you pay for the output you need on a variable-cost basis. The co-packer’s infrastructure is shared across their client base, so your per-unit cost is proportional to your volume rather than tied to equipment you own regardless of demand. That keeps your capital available for retail expansion or new SKU development.
When does it make sense to bring packaging in-house instead of outsourcing?
When volume is predictable, format is stable, and the per-unit cost math supports the capital outlay. Before that point, outsourcing protects capital and keeps your operation flexible. Many brands run a hybrid model: core high-volume formats in-house, seasonal builds and specialty formats through a co-packer.
Can Pflug handle a volume spike without a long ramp-up period?
Yes. Pflug’s automated lines and staffing model are designed to absorb production increases quickly. The Celsius program reached a million units per month across three cartoning lines without a slow ramp. That capability exists because Pflug operates at that scale routinely.
Does Pflug handle club store packaging formats?
Yes. Variety packs, multi-pack configurations, and display-ready builds for club store placement are a core part of Pflug’s operation. Around half of their business involves variety pack formats, including the configurations required by major club retailers.
What certifications does Pflug Packaging hold?
Pflug holds AIB, NSF, CCOF, and FDA certifications, along with Type 14 and Type 21 licenses for wine and beverage. These certifications apply across their California, Illinois, and Georgia facilities.
Is a co-packing relationship a long-term commitment or can it be used for a single run?
Both. Some brands engage Pflug for a specific launch or seasonal program and evaluate from there. Others build a long-term co-packing relationship as their primary packaging operation. The arrangement structure depends on what your volume and timeline actually require.
