Co-Packer vs Buying Your Own Packaging Machine
Use a co-packer while volume is low or uncertain, you have many small SKUs, or your product needs certified facilities you do not have. Buy your own machine when volume is steady enough that co-packing fees over 12–24 months exceed the machine price, or when co-packer minimum runs, queues and changeover fees start limiting your growth.
What does a co-packer charge for?
Set-up and changeover for each run, a per-pack fee, minimum order quantities, and sometimes storage and packaging-material handling. Small brands often find minimum runs and scheduling are the real constraint, not the per-pack fee.
How do I calculate break-even?
Monthly packs × co-packing fee per pack = what you pay a co-packer each month. Compare it with the machine price plus your own labour, film and maintenance. If the co-packing cost pays for the machine within 12–24 months and volume is stable, owning usually wins. For reference, compact sachet and stick machines start around US$2,600–4,500 and complete pouch lines around US$25,000 on our public listings.
What do you gain by owning the machine?
- Run small batches and new SKUs whenever you want
- Control fill weight, seal quality and date codes yourself
- No minimum runs or queue at someone else's plant
- Keep your formula in-house
What do you take on?
- Floor space, power and compressed air
- An operator and basic maintenance
- Food-safety requirements for your own facility
- Buying film or pouches in suitable quantities
Frequently asked questions
Can I start with a small machine and add more later?
Yes. Many customers start with a compact sachet or semi-automatic filler and later add a pouch line or palletizer; we plan layouts with that growth in mind.