It doesn’t matter how good your packaging is if it never makes it to your production facility. That’s the situation Evercoat faced before Pipeline Packaging came to solve a major product supply problem.
Evercoat, a division of Illinois Tool Works (ITW), is a nationally recognized manufacturer of coatings, fillers, and other products for automotive and marine applications. These products require a variety of packaging to be supplied in a timely fashion. Unfortunately, Evercoat ran into packaging supply and customer service issues that derailed part of its business. Let’s break down the challenges that Evercoat faced and how Pipeline Packaging offered the solution.
The Challenge
While Evercoat has several packaging needs, they were having notable supply issues with one product: trigger sprayers. The company was buying adjustable trigger sprayers directly from the manufacturer. For a while, this scenario was perfectly fine – Evercoat was happy with the product and got the parts they needed to fill and sell these products.
Those regular shipments didn’t last forever, unfortunately. Over time, the manufacturer couldn’t maintain a steady supply of trigger sprayers for Evercoat. This lack of supply created a major interruption in production. Thanks to the lack of trigger sprayers, Evercoat couldn’t pack and ship orders, leading to a notable loss of orders and avoidable delays.
Poor communication was another issue that led to ample frustration. As the manufacturer ran out of product, they would stop confirming back purchase orders, responding to inquiries about shipments, or providing any meaningful updates. Back orders would also show up at Evercoat’s facility without any warning. Between the lack of service, communication, and reliable supply, Evercoat was ready to explore new options for securing trigger sprayers.
The Solution
When the manufacturer isn’t able to support packaging needs, it’s time to find a new source. Pipeline Packaging already had a long history of supplying metal cans, steel drums, and other packaging solutions to ITW’s various divisions, so now it was time to identify a new source for trigger sprayers.
The first step of this process was to find a new manufacturer through Pipeline Packaging’s extensive global sourcing network. Most trigger sprayer manufacturers are located in Southeast Asia, so Pipeline Packaging leveraged its relationships there to find a good part fit for Evercoat’s performance and budgetary needs. After some searching, Pipeline Packaging’s experts found and sampled an equal spec of trigger sprayers.
Evercoat quickly approved the newfound trigger sprayers and began ordering them through Pipeline Packaging. In addition to sourcing the trigger sprayers, Pipeline Packaging also stocks these parts in a location convenient to Evercoat’s Cincinnati location. Now Evercoat can pull monthly orders based on their supply needs and easily contact their supplier instead of hoping that the manufacturer responds to their purchase orders.
The Results
Thanks to Pipeline Packaging, Evercoat is now able to get the trigger sprayers it needs to pack and sell products. The new trigger sprayer supply immediately addressed supply issues and production stoppages. This change quickly led to notable savings because Evercoat now has the packaging products they need to do business.
Of course, there are additional benefits to working with a reliable packaging supplier. In the past, Evercoat couldn’t know for sure if they would have enough trigger sprayers in time for production. The lack of communication and customer service was a constant frustration. Pipeline Packaging provided Evercoat’s team with a sense of reassurance that their supplier would deliver on its promises. In addition, switching to Pipeline Packaging for trigger sprayers helped ITW consolidate its packaging vendors and reinforce an already strong relationship.
The trigger sprayer project also led to some problem solving for other packaging issues. Currently, Pipeline Packaging is working on custom packaging for Evercoat. These new plastic bottles will allow car detailers and other customers to automate product dilution through a dispensing machine. The custom bottles would not only make the process easier, but also improve product efficiency and product loyalty.
Are you looking for a packaging distributor that offers the services and customer support you deserve? Check out our available packaging products online or contact us today to talk to one of our experts today about your packaging needs.
