5 Best Co-Packing Companies in Europe for FMCG Brands

A product can be selling perfectly well in the UK and still be a headache to launch in Germany or France. Perhaps the label needs changing, a retailer wants a different multipack, or a promotional offer must be assembled at short notice. None of that necessarily calls for a new factory or additional employees.

For British FMCG brands expanding into Europe, co-packing can solve many of these practical problems. A specialist partner can handle filling, packaging, labelling and other processes needed to prepare products for sale. If you're unfamiliar with the concept, this guide to co-packing services explains the services involved, typical costs and selection criteria.

There's no single best co-packing company, though. A start-up launching 500 bottles of sauce has very different requirements from a multinational preparing thousands of promotional sets. The best partner is the one whose capabilities match the job.

Here are five companies worth considering, each with a different specialisation. While particularly useful for UK businesses, this selection is equally relevant to FMCG brands operating elsewhere in Europe.

1. Best for Flexible, Full-Service Co-Packing: TRANSPAK (Poland)

Company overview: Founded in 1987, TRANSPAK is a Polish company specialising in co-packing for FMCG brands. Unlike logistics providers that offer packaging as an additional service, contract packaging, filling and related operations are at the centre of its business.

The company works with businesses of different sizes, including international brands such as NIVEA and Twinings. With more than 150 employees, 5,500 m² of warehouse space and both manual and automated processes, it can accommodate relatively small orders, sometimes from 2,000 units, as well as large-scale projects.

Services and capabilities: TRANSPAK's offering includes contract filling, labelling, shrink wrapping, repacking, promotional bundles, gift sets and retail displays.

One particular strength is handling powdered products, including nutritional supplements, protein powders, creatine, coffee, spices and instant drinks. Dedicated filling equipment includes an automated line for cans, tubes and other cylindrical containers, incorporating accurate dosing, weight control, metal detection, closing and batch coding. The company also fills sachets, stick packs and other flexible packaging formats.

Equally important is its manual packaging capability. Some premium gift sets, delicate confectionery products or unusually shaped items simply cannot be packed efficiently by standard machinery. TRANSPAK has trained teams for assembling and packaging such products by hand.

Why consider them: The combination of specialised machinery and manual processes allows TRANSPAK to handle both repeatable, high-volume operations and more unusual projects without requiring clients to invest in equipment or recruit additional staff.

Best suited for: FMCG companies seeking a versatile co-packing specialist, particularly for powdered products, supplements, premium sets and projects requiring flexibility.

2. Best for Very Small Production Runs: Viscofill (Belgium)

Company overview: Viscofill is a Belgian contract filling company focused on liquid food products. Its business model is particularly interesting for smaller brands that struggle to meet conventional minimum order quantities.

Services and capabilities: The company fills oils, honey, syrups, sauces, nut butters and other viscous food products into bottles, jars and pouches. Services include filling, sealing, capping, labelling and preparation for shipment.

Viscofill accepts orders from just 100 units, making it possible to test packaging or launch a product without committing to thousands of units.

Why consider them: Low minimum quantities and a straightforward filling service make Viscofill useful for businesses that need professional packaging but are not ready for industrial-scale production.

Best suited for: Small food businesses, start-ups and established brands testing new liquid products.

3. Best for Co-Packing Integrated with Global Logistics: DHL Supply Chain (Germany / International)

Company overview: DHL Supply Chain is part of the global DHL Group. Unlike specialist co-packers, its offering extends across warehousing, transportation, fulfilment and supply chain management.

Services and capabilities: Its contract packaging services include labelling, repacking, kitting, promotional displays, product customisation and assembly. Packaging operations can be integrated directly into distribution centres.

For example, products can arrive from manufacturing facilities, be stored, assembled into promotional packs and dispatched to retailers without moving between several independent suppliers.

Why consider them: The principal advantage is integration. Companies can manage packaging alongside inventory, transport and distribution, potentially reducing handling and coordination between providers.

Best suited for: Large FMCG manufacturers and multinational brands seeking comprehensive logistics outsourcing, with co-packing forming part of a broader arrangement.

4. Best for UK-Based Food Co-Packing: Tom Walker & Sons (United Kingdom)

Company overview: Established in 1982, Tom Walker & Sons is a British food packing and distribution business with particular expertise in cheese and chilled food products.

Services and capabilities: Its offering includes cheese cutting and packing, contract packing, food kits, promotional assortments and seasonal gift sets. The company uses both manual assembly and machinery such as flow-wrapping and modified atmosphere packaging equipment.

It also provides packaging material sourcing, labelling and UK distribution services.

Why consider them: For British businesses that prefer to keep packaging operations close to home, Tom Walker & Sons offers an established domestic partner, particularly for food products requiring specialist handling.

Best suited for: UK food brands, retailers and wholesalers looking for local co-packing, especially involving cheese, chilled products and gift assortments.

5. Best for Fresh Produce and Cold-Chain Packing: Varekamp Coldstores (Netherlands)

Company overview: Varekamp Coldstores specialises in logistics and packaging for fresh produce. Operating in the Netherlands, it forms part of Europe Retail Packing, which provides additional sorting, ripening and packing capabilities.

Services and capabilities: Its activities cover temperature-controlled storage, transport, customs handling, sorting and packaging. Products include fruit, vegetables, potatoes and other fresh goods.

Through Europe Retail Packing, customers have access to more than 60 packaging machines and specialised facilities for preparing fresh produce for retail distribution.

Why consider them: Fresh produce requires careful temperature management, handling and packaging to preserve quality and minimise waste. Varekamp combines these requirements within a dedicated fresh-food logistics operation.

Best suited for: Importers, exporters, retailers and fresh produce suppliers needing integrated cold-chain logistics and retail packaging.

How to Choose the Right Co-Packing Company

Before contacting potential suppliers, identify the processes you need to outsource and prepare a brief covering your product, packaging format, expected volumes, delivery markets and deadlines.

For UK companies entering the EU, packaging compliance deserves particular attention. As Packaging Europe explains, UK and EU packaging rules differ in important respects, including producer responsibilities and sustainability requirements.

It's also worth involving potential packaging partners early. A FoodNavigator article on packaging strategy explains why leaving packaging decisions until the final stages of product development can create avoidable costs and complications.

Finally, consider what you actually need from your partner. Do you want someone to package a finished product, handle specialist filling, assemble promotional sets or manage your entire distribution process?

The best co-packer is not necessarily the largest or the one offering the most services. It's the company with the right equipment, experience and operating model for your particular project.