What is packaging engineering? I already have a packaging department; what can APS offer my company? What is the difference between APS and other consulting firms? What is the difference between APS and suppliers and/or supply chain solution providers? How is confidentiality handled at APS? How are projects kept up-to-date? What are some other costs and how are they billed? Are there any extra service fees? How is APS paid and what are acceptable payment methods? Can you further explain the meaning behind "No-Risk"? What is packaging engineering? Packaging engineering is a broad topic ranging from design conceptualization to product placement. All steps along the manufacturing process, and more, must be taken into account in the design of the package for any given product. Packaging engineers must interact with Research & Development, Manufacturing, Marketing, Graphic Design, Regulatory, Purchasing, Planning and so on. The package must sell and protect the product, while maintaining an efficient, cost-effective process cycle. I already have a packaging department; what can APS offer my company? In today's competitive environment, head count limitations are inevitable. Your packaging engineers are most likely struggling just to get product out the door. We are all too familiar with this situation. You could always do more if you only had the time. It is always beneficial to have a fresh set of eyes analyze your products. APS brings experience from many industries, which can do nothing but enhance your product's design. The best thing is that APS is a free checkpoint for your company, if nothing else. What is the difference between APS and other consulting firms? The primary difference is that APS is a No-Risk consulting organization. Other firms charge hourly or by project even without a positive outcome. APS charges are results-based, meaning if we don't come up with a solution for you or you don't like the solution we don't charge our clients. Our business model allows companies to reach out to us without the headaches of pre-approved financing from their management team. APS helps them build their business case, making things easier for both parties involved. What is the difference between APS and suppliers and/or supply chain solution providers? Packaging component suppliers can be very helpful in providing a finished design as they understand their specific commodity very well. The main problem with this is that there is a conflict of interest in the relationship. They want you to choose their particular material offering and it benefits them to sell you as much as they possibly can to maximize their profits. Supply chain solution providers can help you with your packaging designs and don't have the same design constraints or conflicts that packaging suppliers have, but their is still a conflict of interest involved. If they were awarded the business to package your product based on a given cost structure they will not maximize their design ability if it changes your current supply chain solution. If your final pack-out is being handled in the U.S. based on high transportation expense, they will not improve your shipping cost for fear that you will fulfill directly from another geography and pull your business from them. APS does not share any of the above concerns and we focused entirely on the ultimate solution for our clients. We guarantee that we will choose the best and least amount of materials based on your specific needs. We want to limit your expenditures, allowing the proper fulfillment strategy for your products. How is confidentiality handled at APS? APS has standard confidentiality agreements meant to protect both parties. If you have your own agreements, we are open to investigation of using any method you see fit. We understand the importance of confidentiality and require some form of an agreement before APS can begin working with a client. How are projects kept up-to-date? APS will provide an account representative for each project taken on. That account representative, along with our engineers, will keep you up-to-date while the project is under way. What are some other costs and how are they billed? During the initial Risk-Free analysis process travel and expenditures are not required. When APS defines a cost savings opportunity and it receives client approval for further project development, any required travel, lab testing, protoyping, design renderings, etc. are required to be paid up front, within 30 days of the billed expenditure. Are there any extra service fees? No, any expense will only cost you the amount of that service. APS will not charge extra for travel, testing, etc. We also have certified laboratories, design firms, prototype developers, and promotional packaging companies we work with. However, we can easily use one of your company's liking. How is APS paid and what are acceptable payment methods? APS is paid a percentage of the annualized cost savings derrived from the project(s) that are approved by our clients. This percentage is derrived from the complexity of the project and agreed upon in the Final Cost Improvement Agreement. Acceptable payment methods include: registered check (no additional fee) OR credit card, echeck, or Paypal (all are subject to a 3% service fee). Can you further explain the meaning behind "No-Risk"? Our services are free of charge unless you agree to the new solution through your engineering staff and it saves your company money. We are the only packaging consulting firm that charges nothing for our services unless we save you money on your existing overhead. Copyright © 2006 Advanced Packaging Solutions LLC  |  Privacy Policy  |  Resources  |  Sitemap This website was created by Advanced Packaging Solutions LLC © 2006