Contract manufacturers do what their customers sometimes can't -- get products to market with lightning speed, while maintaining quality, brand integrity and a high degree of customization.
Eating on the go, ready-to-serve meals, single-serve portions and reclosable bulk packages: These are becoming more commonplace in today's food market. As a result, retailers are making demands on processors for unique packaging, special pallet configurations and just-in-time distribution, all of which create increased manufacturing challenges.
In an effort to meet them, food processors are looking at alternative production methods, including outsourcing. In fact, according to Food Engineering's Best Manufacturing Practices Survey (see page 55 in this issue), nearly one-quarter of today's manufacturers outsource 1 percent to 10 percent of their operations.