As the industry marks National Logistics Day on 28th June, the BCMPA - the Association for Contract Manufacturing, Packing, Fulfilment & Logistics - is highlighting the vital role that value-added services (VAS) continue to play within the logistics and fulfilment landscape. The Association says that since refreshing its corporate identity in 2019 to better reflect the sector’s evolution, services such as contract packing have become a key differentiator within third-party logistics (3PL) offerings, complementing core warehousing and distribution capabilities.
Today, over 200 companies are members of the BCMPA, with more than 77% providing VAS or co-packing solutions as part of their logistics services.
“Our logistics members are not just moving goods from A to B - they’re embedded in the full lifecycle of the supply chain up to final-mile delivery,” said Emma Verkaik, CEO of the BCMPA. “The logistics landscape is changing fast, and co packing and value-added services are at the heart of this transformation.”
The shift is being driven by multiple pressures, including rising warehousing costs, heightened customer expectations, and the demand for greater efficiency and sustainability, as noted by several BCMPA members.
For GXO, the focus is on product customisation and shelf-readiness. “Whether through personalisation, promotional bundling, or adapting to retailers’ demand for shelf-ready packaging with mixed SKUs, these services help retailers create excellent customer experiences,” said Nila Patel Cooper, Business Development Manager at GXO. She added: “We’re also seeing manufacturers reduce operational touchpoints by packing products directly at manufacturing sites or storage facilities to streamline costs and processes.”
Agility and integration are also top priorities, particularly as the growth of e-commerce reshapes fulfilment expectations. At Kinaxia, combining packing with national distribution has proved essential. “By bringing these services together, we can offer a seamless end-to-end service from production through to final-mile delivery,” said Warren Hill, Business Development Manager at Kinaxia.
The complexity of returns has also made reverse logistics a vital part of the modern service mix. As Andy Gilpin, Site Manager at Charles Kendall Group commented: “With e-commerce return rates soaring, returns and refurbishment logistics have become core offerings - helping brands recover value while meeting their sustainability targets.”
BCMPA members are also responding to seasonal and sector-specific trends. At Kammac, the recent surge in contract packing activity has been driven by major retail promotions linked to international sporting events. “We’re building and filling supermarket shippers by the thousands,” explained Peter Edwards, Kammac’s Marketing Business Partner. “Our new BevLink service has been instrumental in helping beverage companies get to market faster, with tailored solutions that respond to real-time retail requirements.”
With such strong demand for full-service partners, BCMPA members will continue to expand their capabilities to meet the evolving needs of brands seeking integrated manufacturing, packing, fulfilment, and logistics support, as well as enhancing their ESG commitments.
“National Logistics Day is the perfect moment to shine a light on the breadth of work happening behind the scenes across our industry and the evolving services being offered,” said Emma Verkaik. “Our members are the unsung heroes, delivering the essential logistics and co packing services that keep supply chains moving. As more brands look to outsource logistics as part of a complete end-to-end solution, their role has never been more vital - providing the flexibility, expertise and scalability that businesses need to stay competitive.”