1. Choose to work directly with manufacturers or their authorized dealers in order to avoid a problem with the product you are purchasing or to solve the problems quickly. So you can find a responsible firm on the back of the product. The best solution to determine whether a company is a manufacturer is to visit that firm's premises. Visit the production facilities of the company you are working with.

2. Food packaging is a product with a volume and takes up a lot of space, so the production area needs to be well ventilated, wide and flat feet. In addition, the region where the production facility is located must provide general hygienic conditions. Therefore, your supplier's factory should have a large enclosed area where it can store clean, safe products not only for the machines but also for you. Check it yourself by visiting your potential suppliers.

3. Hygiene of the food packaging is very important. There is a list in the appendix that may be useful for your control of your supplier.

4. The quality of the product you receive depends on the manufacturer that makes it, but on how it controls every phase of production. All stages of plastic entering your manufacturer's facility as granules (pieces of plastic in the size of rice) should be made within the facility until the product is released. Technically, your manufacturer should be extruder (sheet machine), thermoform machine, injection machine, packaging machine, crushing machine, cooling machines, compressors. The lack of one of these, for example, extruder (sheet metal), will make you doubt whether your manufacturer's quality is adequately secured. Ask your manufacturer if these machines are available and see if they are available.

5. A factor affecting the quality of the product you receive is the mold of that product. The presence of mold workshop in the company you work, both quality under control and mold problems that may occur or changes you want to make will make it easier, quicker and cheaper.

6. See if the supplier you are working with has legal documentation available. Legal documents requested from packaging manufacturers in Turkey, permission for work permit, ÇED report, production permission of the Ministry of Agriculture village affairs. In addition, TSE certificate ISO9001:2000 certificate and HACCP certificate certifies the system and hygiene requirements of the company's production.

7. Since plastic packaging products are fully automated, good machines are needed to produce good products. The machines in your supplier's hands must have quality and technology to produce your product at the same quality (good at one party, bad at one party risk). Visiting a few suppliers who produce on the same subject will give you a comparison.

8. Evaluate your supplier on social responsibility that has become a priority in the developed world. Does his staff work under healthy conditions? Does the child employ workers or illegal workers without Social Security? Tax on the state, etc. Is he fulfilling his responsibilities? Although these may seem hard to detect, they give you an idea of the way you visit the facility, carefully looking at it and interviewing both employees and company managers. It should not be forgotten that in our country, the number of such illegal companies that the governments follow is decreasing and both themselves and the companies they work in are causing moral damages. Most importantly, companies who do not have social responsibility cannot be expected to be honest with their customers.

9. The company has fulfilled all these requirements and worked in the market for a certain period of time and has accepted itself in the sector. The company's establishment year and experience are very important for this reason. In this regard, information about the company partners and the establishment year can be obtained from the internet Chamber of Commerce. www.ito.org.tr I'm sorry. In addition, the company's capital is legally responsible for the company, supplier, customer and employees should be examined. 

10. The staff of the company that will serve you should consist of a team that can provide this. One person, companies who are not enough staff, production, sales, purchase, accounting and many more enterprises for the important function to solve one-hand, you remain inadequate in service and cause delays in supply and service periods. Visit the offices of the companies and ask them to introduce you to the other administrative staff.

11. Have you worked with good companies in our country, in the world, in your industry? Has he been able to provide long-term regular service to these companies? If you see it as necessary, ask for the information of your references and see for yourself.

12. Examine the prices of your supplier, for the price of your money, service and product quality, and keep the benchmark ahead. Based on pricing that will provide you with regular and continuous service.  

Yavuz Eroğlu
general manager
SEM plastik San.and Tic.A.S.