THE BCMPA will show how specialist outsourcing partners can help turn promising ideas into ‘practical, scalable and market-ready’ products when it returns to London Packaging Week on 16 and 17 September.
Visitors will be able to meet the BCMPA team and learn how its members support businesses ranging from start-ups and challenger brands to established manufacturers and retailers.
“Getting a product to market is rarely as straightforward as it first appears,” said Emma Verkaik, CEO of the BCMPA. “Behind the finished pack are countless decisions covering manufacturing, filling, materials, compliance, logistics and scalability. The real magic is having an experienced partner who can see the whole journey and help a brand make the right choices at the right time.”
To highlight the role of outsourcing, the BCMPA and Easyfairs will be launching the 2027 edition of Pitch the Co-Packers, the BCMPA-sponsored initiative that connects start-ups and early-stage brands with experienced contract manufacturing and packing specialists.
“Pitch the Co-Packers shows what can happen when entrepreneurial ideas meet practical manufacturing expertise,” added Verkaik. “We want to hear from exciting young brands looking for the guidance, knowledge and outsourcing partner that can help make their vision a reality. This is where the magic of co-packing really comes to the fore.”
The finalists of the competition will be announced in January and be invited to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges who will select the winner at Packaging Innovations & Empack in February.
Laura Ball, business development director at PHL Group, and a BCMPA member, said, “The magic of co-packers is the 360-degree visibility of the whole journey and what the client is trying to achieve, from co-packing the product and delivery, through to the end-user experience. From co-packing the product and its delivery, through to the end-user experience, they draw on a wealth of expertise from their third-party provider, to find the right solution, saving time and cost while delivering the consumer and brand experience the customer is looking for.”
Tracy Southwell, MD at March Foods, added, “One of the biggest misconceptions is that co-packers simply manufacture products,” she said. “In reality, the best co-packers bring a blend of technical expertise, operational experience and commercial insight that helps bring products to life. The real magic is helping brands scale great ideas into products that consumers choose and enjoy every day.”
The technical expertise provided by outsourcing experts, alongside operational know-how and a collaborative workflow, helps to establish a production model capable of supporting growth while protecting product quality and brand integrity. Ian Wright, MD at Prism eLogistics, explained, “For growing brands, the magic of outsourcing is having an experienced partner who can turn great ideas into practical, scalable solutions. Whether it is co-packing, shrink sleeving or selecting the right packaging format, we work with customers from start-ups to established brand names, simplifying processes, improving efficiency and preparing products for growth.”
