Econo-Pak Contract Food Packaging Podcast

Today we are introducing the newest member of our Sales and Marketing team and giving you a look at the exciting updates happening behind the scenes. From fresh initiatives to how this new role will help strengthen the customer experience, this episode highlights where we are headed and how we continue to grow. Whether you are a current partner or exploring co-packing solutions, this is a great wa...

At Econo-Pak, interns don’t just watch from the sidelines, they help shape the business. In this episode, we sit down with Dylan Olson, who joined as an intern and quickly became a valuable part of the team. From building data dashboards executives use daily to sitting in on high-level meetings, Dylan shares what it’s really like to intern at a mid-sized company like Econo-Pak where your work trul...

In this episode of the Econo-Pak Contract Food Packaging Podcast , Sarah, Mike, and Tim break down Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) , why it’s such an important part of supply chain management, and how this improvement in our process directly benefits businesses like yours. They explain how VMI ensures a reliable packaging supply at Econo-Pak , which translates into better pricing for customers, the...

In this episode, Sarah and Mike are joined by Tim Shay, Director of Procurement at Econo-Pak, to explore how Econo-Pak is helping food brands navigate the future of sustainable packaging and prepare for the growing wave of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws. Currently adopted in five states and with more on the horizon, these regulations shift the cost and responsibility of packaging wast...

Welcome to the very first episode of our newly improved podcast! In this kickoff, our hosts, Sarah Richter and Mike Mead, sit down to share behind-the-scenes updates on the exciting changes to the podcast setup—better equipment, a smoother production flow, and upgraded audio and video quality. They also introduce a brand-new Learning Center, designed to provide valuable, centralized resources for...

In this episode of the Econo-Pak Contract Food Packaging Podcast, Sarah sits down with Tim, our Director of Procurement, to explore how strategic sourcing, supplier relationships, and packaging choices can impact your food brand's bottom line. Learn how our procurement team supports high-volume food packaging projects, from sourcing film, cartons, and pallets to helping brands meet sustainabi...

Econo-Pak Maintenance Manager Jared Ellsworth joins us to talk about how flexible equipment setups, smart automation, and quick changeovers allow our team to help clients scale into new retail formats with ease. Timestamps 0:00 - 0:25 Introduction: Equipment flexibility in contract packaging   0:26 - 1:10 What makes packaging equipment flexible?   1:11 - 2:05 Starting manual and scaling into autom...

How do food brands choose the right packaging equipment? In this episode, we break down the difference between universal and dedicated equipment and how Econo-Pak’s flexible approach helps brands test, scale, and optimize their packaging. With over 200 types of packaging equipment, Econo-Pak provides food brands the ability to explore different packaging formats without massive upfront investments...

In this episode of the Econo-Pak Contract Food Packaging Podcast, Sarah Richter sits down with Project Manager Johnny Montana and GM Mike Mead to discuss the importance of SOP3 (Standard Operating Procedure Form 3) in ensuring food safety, quality, and seamless production. Discover how SOP3: - Captures essential details for new and existing projects. - Supports quality assurance, customer service,...

In this episode, John Mellage, CFO of Econo-Pak, shares his transition from a 25-year career in public accounting to joining one of the leading family-owned co-packers in the industry. Discover how Econo-Pak’s dynamic work culture, strategic planning, and fixed-cost pricing model have made a difference for both employees and clients. John discusses the importance of building lasting client relatio...

In this episode, Sarah Richter talks with Rohail Khan about Econo-Pak's recent success in passing the Sedex audit. Rohail explains what Sedex is, why it matters to global supply chains, and how it ties into ethical business practices, employee safety, and sustainability initiatives. Learn how Econo-Pak maintains high standards across all areas of its business, from ensuring the humane treatme...

Join Mike Mead and Sarah Richter as they take you behind the scenes of how they produce their podcast. From syncing audio and video to setting up a dedicated studio space, they share valuable insights into the technical and creative process. Learn how their podcast has evolved to cover industry trends, brand-building strategies, and how they foster trust with their clients. Watch the full video to...

In this episode of the Econo-Pak podcast, CEO PJ Wiebel joins host and General Manager Mike Mead to discuss the benefits of using a fixed-cost pricing model in co-packing contracts. PJ explains how this pricing approach provides stability and predictability for food companies by locking in a set price for packaging services over a 12-month period. This eliminates the unpredictability of variable c...

In this episode of the Econo-Pak Contract Food Packaging podcast, we sit down with Brooke Willis, our dedicated Inventory Manager. With six years of experience, Brooke shares her journey from starting in the shipping and receiving department to becoming the go-to resource for managing inventory and coordinating projects across multiple departments. Brooke provides valuable insights into how she us...

Noah Harrington is a bright and motivated young man with a passion for entrepreneurship. As the nephew of PJ and Bob Wiebel, our CEO and Director of Operations, he has worked as an intern for the past two summers. Listen as Noah shares his experience working on the production floor and helping clients with trialing. Timestamps 0:00 Introduction 0:10 New podcast room 0:30 Family relationship 0:47 I...

Join us for an insightful episode of the Econo-Pak Podcast, where we dive deep into the operations that keep our shipping and receiving departments running smoothly. Hosts Sarah and Mike sit down with Rich and Milly, seasoned professionals from the shipping and receiving team, to discuss the dynamics of our distribution processes and our strategies for efficient logistics management. Rich, with ov...

Join the Econo-Pak team as we discuss procurement solutions with Tyler Sisco, the experienced Purchasing Supervisor at Econo-Pak. Explore the critical aspects of fostering strong client relationships, navigating the challenges of fixed-cost solutions in procurement, and the innovative approach towards sustainable packaging in the co-packing industry. Key Topics Explored: - The complexities of main...

Join us in the latest episode of the Econo-Pak Food Packaging Podcast, featuring an engaging interview with Ed Horn, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Econo-Pak. With over 17 years at the helm, Ed shares his deep insights into the co-packing industry, discussing the evolution of the field, the importance of efficient processes, and the role of a COO in driving a company's success. He also...

In this episode of the Econo-Pak Food Packaging Podcast, our Plant Manager, Patrick Sullivan, discusses: - His career growth from a general line worker to Plant Manager - How he creates the production schedule for our clients' products - His experience working with different departments to manage the schedule - The flexibility of the workforce and the ability to adapt to changing resources an...

In this episode of the Econo-Pak Food Packaging Podcast, our Director of Quality, Rohail Khan, shares his extensive knowledge and experience in maintaining the highest standards of food safety at Econo-Pak. We delve into the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in food packaging and safety, exploring how Econo-Pak stays ahead in ensuring quality and compliance. Rohail also discusses the impo...

Join us for a lively chat with PJ, the CEO of Econo-Pak, where we unpack the bustling world of contract packaging. PJ walks us through the industry's skyrocketing growth and the innovative strides Econo-Pak is making. We talk about why more and more companies are choosing to outsource their packaging needs, the nifty fixed-cost benefits, and how contract packaging is a game-changer in the foo...

We chat with Jessica Alves, Materials Supervisor at Econo-Pak, to talk about her eight-year journey from working in production to materials, all while learning English as a second language. Enjoy Jessica's bright and positive attitude as she tells us her story. The Econo-Pak Food Packaging Podcast covers topics in the food packaging and manufacturing industry, including quality, materials, ma...

This week Mike Mead has a QA session with ChatGPT about the Contract Food Packaging industry.  ChatGPT answers the questions; What is Contract Food Packaging? What are the benefits of working with a Co-Packer? When is the best time to start working with a contract manufacturer? ChatGPT looks into the future of the Contract Food Packaging industry with a thorough response and prediction.  You can w...

Econo-Pak is a contract food packaging specialist.  Econo-Pak General Manager Mike Mead talks with Johnny Montana about his role as Project Manager at Econo-Pak. In this episode,  I talk with Johnny about the onboarding process for a new customer. How each step of our Trial, First Production Run, and Standard Operating Procedure documents leads to project success.  We learn about Johnny's pro...

Econo-Pak is a contract food packaging manufacturer.  In this episode of the Econo-Pak podcast, General Manager of Econo-Pak Mike Mead discusses the key benefits of working with a copacker. Why picking the correct contract packing partner is so important.  Mike shares a recent customer story that may inspire you and your next product launch.    Interested in learning more about how Econo-Pak can h...