What service should you expect from your flip cap supplier ?

As a Production Manager or Technical Packaging specialist of a pharmaceutical firm, you know the importance of choosing the right supplier for your packaging needs. Whether you are in the process of launching a new product or looking to switch suppliers for an existing product, it is crucial to choose a reliable and reputable supplier for your flip cap (or equally called Push-Off or Flip-Off cap) or aluminum crimp cap needs.

As the pharmaceutical industry is highly regulated, it has created a lifetime income for suppliers of packaging components. Cap suppliers are somehow secured and protected as long as their components are registered with the medicine.

In this article, we will discuss what services you should expect from your flip cap supplier and how to benchmark potential suppliers.

Why flip cap shouldn’t be considered as a commodity ?

As a production or technical packaging manager, you probably have many other complex packages in your portfolio. Nevertheless, the relative complexity of some items should not overshadow the valuable features of a flip cap. Let's take a look at the specific aspects you might consider when choosing a flip-off cap or aluminium crimp cap.

  1.  A flip cap supplier must have secured its aluminum sheet supply

This is far from being a given. Sourcing reliable and sustainable quality, year after year, means selecting from a long list of suppliers those with whom a true partnership is possible. Their willingness to commit and partner with you is probably the most difficult part of the process, as it is based on assumptions, hunches and perceptions rather than facts. A cap supplier needs to be able to explain what the weak signals were that influenced their decision to partner with an aluminum company.

  2.  Flip cap manufacturing specificities

Turning a thin sheet of metal into a crimp cap at a competitive price involves a robust, high-speed manufacturing process. Robust, not only because cutting and embossing require high forces and pressures, but especially because metal particles, if not well controlled, can damage the machines and cause process deviations.

What should a reliable flip cap supplier provide to deserve your loyalty ?

Single source of supply may seem ideal from a manufacturing perspective. You can expect to minimise filling line setup, increase speed, reduce downtime and expect productivity gains. But single sourcing out of habit creates a dependency situation and puts your brand and your business at risk.
Shall you want to duplicate your sourcing or even change supplier, let’s review what a flip off cap supplier should provide to its clients.

  1.  Reliable and sustainable service whatever happens

As seen above, state of the art manufacturing assets are mandatory to secure the quality of the flip of cap. Having checked these technical aspects, the second level should be the agility of your supplier. Agile in seeking permanently your trust and loyalty. In other words, you should be considered as their most important customer and get proof of such a statement. 

  2.  Challenging quality on a permanent basis

Any manufacturing process suffers from deviation. The key for the crimp cap supplier is obviously to reduce the deviation occurrence but more over to anticipate it and cure it.

We recommend you ask your supplier about the quality risk management program in place and how it has contributed to anticipating machine breakdowns, process deviation. Also, risk management program should have increased their quality standards impacting positively their customer satisfaction and their rating level.

  3.  Customization and flexibility

Your supplier should be able to offer customization options to meet your specific needs. This may include custom colors or logos, as well as custom sizing to fit your vials. Additionally, your supplier should be able to offer flexibility in terms of order quantities and lead times to accommodate your production schedule.

  4.  Technical support and expertise

Your supplier should have a team of technical experts who can provide support and guidance on the selection and use of their products. They should be able to answer any questions you may have and provide recommendations on the best products for your specific needs. Additionally, your supplier should be able to provide training and education on the proper use and handling of their products.

  5.  Product reliability and consistency

Your supplier should have a proven track record of producing high-quality, reliable products. They should be able to provide documentation that demonstrates consistency in product performance and reliability, such as test reports or certificates of analysis.

  6.  Supply chain management and logistics

Your supplier should have a strong supply chain management program in place to ensure that their products are consistently available and delivered on time. This includes having backup suppliers and contingency plans in place to mitigate any potential supply chain disruptions.

How to benchmark potential flip cap suppliers ?

Now that you know what services to expect from your flip cap supplier, it's time to benchmark potential suppliers. Here are some key factors to consider when evaluating potential suppliers :

   1.  Quality and regulatory compliance

When benchmarking potential suppliers, you may consider going beyond the declarative quality assurance program in place and compliance requirements. As deep investigation is recommended to convert declarative statements into proofs.

   2.  Customization options and flexibility

Evaluate potential suppliers based on their ability to offer customization options and flexibility in terms of order quantities and lead times. Look for suppliers who are willing to work with you to meet your specific needs and can offer customized solutions to meet your requirements. We recommend you could be taught some real case studies and how the supplier has been able to convert a customer wish into reality. 

  3.  Technical expertise and support

Consider the technical expertise and support that potential suppliers can offer. Look for suppliers who have a team of technical experts that can provide guidance on the selection and use of their products. Additionally, evaluate potential suppliers based on their ability to provide training and education on the proper use and handling of their products. Again, the supplier should be able to provide a detailed protocol of the methodology in place to support any technical issues from (minor to critical) which may arise.

  4.  Product reliability and consistency

Benchmark your potential suppliers based on their proven track record means being exposed to real contingency plans and how quick and efficient they have been activated. You may face some opposition such as a non-disclosure clause, nevertheless you shouldn’t deviate from your target as it is mandatory you get the proper performance indicator before you make your decision. 

  5.  Supply chain management and logistics

Auditing the supply chain management and logistics capabilities of potential suppliers is probably the most difficult part of the benchmark. Indeed, the inquiry scope can be extremely wide and deep. You should be provided with a precise mapping of your supplier’s suppliers and for each of them the relative contingency plan which are in place to cover machine breakdown, OOS or strikes.  

  6.  Price and cost-effectiveness

Finally, evaluate potential suppliers based on their pricing and cost-effectiveness. While price shouldn't be the only factor to consider, it is an important consideration when evaluating potential suppliers. Look for suppliers who can offer competitive pricing without sacrificing quality or service.

Conclusion

Choosing the right flip-off aluminum cap supplier is a critical decision for pharmaceutical firms. To ensure that you choose a reliable and reputable supplier, it's important to evaluate potential suppliers based on their quality assurance program, customization options, technical expertise and support, product reliability and consistency, supply chain management and logistics capabilities, and pricing and cost-effectiveness.

By benchmarking potential suppliers based on these factors, you can make an informed decision and choose a supplier that will meet your specific needs and help ensure the quality and safety of your products. Remember that choosing the right supplier is a key part of ensuring the success of your product, so take the time to do your research and choose wisely