Vendor Managed Inventory—
Experienced professionals eager help.

If you’ve been in business long enough, you’ve probably been approached by multiple packaging providers/distributors. And each one probably offered you a lower price than what you were currently paying, all with the goal of securing your business- only to slowly raise price back up over time. Additionally, no value is offered on ensuring the proper materials are ordered, let alone in the right quantities. We’ve seen this over and over again.

Sure price matters, but it’s not the only thing that matters. The Packaging Sherpa is here to offer a robust vendor managed inventory program that keeps inventory costs and turns in check. After all, a lower material cost only means something if your pairing it with proper inventory management. Over-ordering can quickly offset that lower costs you were promised, and will only lead to excess inventory + and excess cost. The same applies if you’re ordering packaging that is an improper fit for the job at hand.

Our inventory management program involves regular, physical inventory counts (you choose the frequency). We will first look at the material you are currently purchasing and in-turn confirm they are right for the application. We will then determine the number of days of inventory you want to keep on hand. This will be based on your current suppliers lead times as well your business need (risk tolerance, available storage space, etc.). With these items properly defined, we can effectively manage usage/turns.

After each visit, we’ll provide a report that shows current on-hands, historical counts and current usage trends. Additionally, we will use this to suggest the proposed order quantity for each of your packaging items per a pre-defined criteria. With this, you can now work with your supplier(s), and place orders accordingly. If you prefer, we can do this for you. Learn more HERE.

Our inventory management program includes:

*Item management: includes all items used, item numbers, price, supplier, supplier contact information, storage location, etc

*Monitor/support volume fluctuations through peak times/seasons

*Regular physical inventory counts: cadence determined on business need (daily, weekly, monthly or bi-monthly)

*Face-to-face consultation following each visit

*Visit recap/reporting that includes current inventory count as well as historical counts, days on-hand for each supply item

*Proposed re-order

*Just-in-time order management

View our business pricing model. Are you a packaging distributor or supplier? Learn more here.

Vendor Managed Inventory

Short on time? Let our team monitor your inventory. Our programs are designed to help you receive just-in-time shipments, while maintaining an adequate inventory for upcoming needs. We’re available to monitor and maintain your inventory during peak times and adjust for non-peak production times, too. Whether you require daily, weekly, monthly or bi-monthly deliveries, Northwest Packaging can tailor a custom program that fits your needs.