Two Different Suppliers: International and Local

Here at LeKAC, we work with a local supplier, and an international supplier. By working with two different suppliers, we’re able to give you more options for your packaging. While both can help make the packaging of your dreams, they have distinct differences.

In this blog post, we’re exploring the differences and capabilities of both local and international suppliers. Read on to learn more!

International Suppliers

Most of our international suppliers are based out of China. One of the main benefits of using an international supplier is their versatility! Here are some of our international suppliers’ capabilities:

Materials:

• Paper Bags
• Reusable Bags
• Laminated Cardboard Bags
• Corrugated Boxes
• Folding Cartons
• Rigid Boxes
• Other miscellaneous products

Finishes:

• Lamination
• Oil Finishing
• Embossing
• Foil Print

The main con of using an international supplier is shipping time. Since they’re based overseas, we primarily use sea vessels to ship the orders. While sea vessel is the most cost-effective shipping option, it also takes the longest. Shipping by sea vessel currently takes about four months with current delays. To learn more about some of the supply chain challenges, check out this blog post!

Local Suppliers

Since the shipping times with our international supplier have increased so much, we looked for a solution. In 2021, we began looking for local suppliers. Taking this step was important to us, since working with a local supplier eliminated the need for sea vessel shipping. This means that you can get your packaging in approximately one month rather than four!

By partnering with a local supplier, we are also able to offer a lower minimum order quantity (MOQ) and support a fellow Canadian business in the process!

The main drawback of using a local supplier as opposed to an international supplier is their product availability. While international suppliers can create a wide variety of products, our local supplier is slightly more limited. Our local supplier can currently only produce corrugated boxes with digital print.

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Which Supplier is Right for Me?

Now you know a little bit about the difference between our suppliers. So how can you choose which one is right for you?

While both suppliers create high-quality packaging, the kind of packaging you’re looking for affects which supplier we can work with. While our local supplier is limited in its catalogue, we’re always on the hunt for new local partners!

Additionally, we follow the same quality control process with both suppliers. To learn more about our quality control process, you can check out this blog post!

Finally, let’s look at some main comparisons between each type of supplier:

Overall, if you’re not sure which would be right for you, we can help! Our knowledgeable Packaging Specialists can help set the right expectations. They’re able to let you know about current shipping delays, while also making sure you get the best packaging experience possible.