Securing your packaging supply - Get ready for peak season

During peak season, many businesses ramp up production at the same time to meet market demand. This drives up demand for raw materials, packaging, and shipping services - and suppliers who normally deliver reliably under standard conditions can struggle to keep up when demand surges.

This situation is especially common in seasonal industries such as agriculture, fertilizers, animal feed, and construction. Without early preparation, businesses may find it difficult to secure enough packaging at the exact time production needs it.

So what should a business do to reduce the risk of packaging shortages during peak season?

1. Forecast Packaging Needs Based on Your Production Plan

The first step is to determine packaging requirements based on your production plan and sales forecast.

Businesses should consider:

• Expected output by month or by phase
• The type of packaging required for each product line
• The quantity of packaging needed relative to output
• Current inventory levels and safety stock
• Periods when demand is likely to spike

Identifying needs early gives businesses a clearer picture of how much packaging to prepare, rather than waiting until production ramps up to start ordering.

2. Order Early and Align on a Delivery Schedule

During peak season, lead times from order to delivery can stretch longer, as manufacturers are handling multiple orders at once.

Rather than placing one large order all at once, businesses can work with suppliers to build a phased delivery schedule that matches production timelines and storage capacity.

For example: 

Demand forecast → Agree on production volume → Set production schedule → Break delivery into phases

This approach helps businesses stay more in control of their supply while avoiding excessive inventory buildup.

3. Account for Production and Shipping Lead Times

Mapping out production and shipping timelines in advance helps businesses determine the right time to place an order - especially when demand is high.

Businesses should discuss the following with suppliers ahead of time:

• Raw material preparation time
• Production time
• Quality inspection time
• Packing and dispatch time
• Transit time to the warehouse or factory

4. Plan for Packing and Logistics

Once packaging is produced, it needs to be packed and shipped in a way that suits warehouse conditions and delivery methods.

Depending on the product and actual needs, businesses can choose from options such as:

• Crate packing
• Pallet packing
• Phased delivery
• Bulk shipment according to plan

Agreeing on this approach from the outset can make loading, storage, and delivery run more smoothly - especially during periods of high shipment volume.

5. Engage Packaging Suppliers Early

One of the simplest ways to reduce shortage risk is to share your demand plan with suppliers as early as possible.

Information such as expected output, required delivery dates, product specifications, and delivery schedules gives suppliers a solid basis to prepare raw materials and plan production proactively.

This is especially important for packaging with specific requirements around size, weight, printing, or structure - early planning is essential to ensure the product is manufactured to the correct specifications and ready on schedule.

Secure Your Supply - Reduce Peak Season Risk

Packaging shortages during peak season can slow down production and impact delivery timelines and business plans. However, much of this risk can be mitigated through demand forecasting, early order planning, and close coordination with suppliers.

PMP is ready to work with businesses on packaging needs, product specifications, and delivery plans tailored to each stage of production.