--- title: How to Choose a Toll Blender & Contract Packager | MCMILLANCO description: What to look for in a toll blending and contract packaging partner for dry powders, sand, clay and minerals—blending, air valve bagging and rail logistics. image: https://blog.mcmillancomfg.com/hubfs/mcmillanco-silo-campus-featured-social.jpg --- [![MCMILLANCO](https://blog.mcmillancomfg.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mcmillanco-logo-stacked-color.png?width=600&height=351&name=mcmillanco-logo-stacked-color.png "MCMILLANCO")](https://mcmillancomfg.com/) Open main menu Close main menu - [Blog](https://blog.mcmillancomfg.com/en/blog) - [Our Services](https://mcmillancomfg.com/our-services/) - [Industries We Serve](https://mcmillancomfg.com/the-industries-markets-we-proudly-serve/) - [About Us](https://mcmillancomfg.com/aboutus-2/) - [Request a Quote](https://mcmillancomfg.com/request-a-quote/) [toll packing co packing](https://blog.mcmillancomfg.com/en/blog/tag/toll-packing-co-packing) [blending](https://blog.mcmillancomfg.com/en/blog/tag/blending) # How to Choose a Toll Blender & Contract Packaging Partner for Dry Powders ![Dustin McMillan](https://blog.mcmillancomfg.com/hs-fs/hubfs/dustin-mcmillan-headshot.jpg?width=45&name=dustin-mcmillan-headshot.jpg) [Dustin McMillan](https://blog.mcmillancomfg.com/en/blog/author/dustin-mcmillan) [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.mcmillancomfg.com/en/blog/how-to-choose-a-toll-blending-contract-packaging-partner) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.mcmillancomfg.com/en/blog/how-to-choose-a-toll-blending-contract-packaging-partner) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.mcmillancomfg.com/en/blog/how-to-choose-a-toll-blending-contract-packaging-partner) ![Rendering of MCMILLANCO's bulk storage silos and material handling tower at the Perrysville, Ohio campus](https://blog.mcmillancomfg.com/hubfs/mcmillanco-silo-campus-featured-social.jpg) When you outsource blending or packaging, you are not simply looking for someone with available equipment. You are choosing a manufacturing partner that may become responsible for multiple stages of your supply chain. The right partner should be able to help move your product from raw materials through processing, packaging, storage and shipment while maintaining quality, consistency and clear communication along the way. At MCMILLANCO, that is how we approach contract manufacturing. We provide precision dry powder blending, toll processing and contract packaging, with warehousing, fulfillment, bulk material handling and rail-served logistics connected on one 500,000-square-foot Midwest campus in Perrysville, Ohio. **One Partner. More of Your Supply Chain. Under One Roof.** ## Precision Processing. Built to Scale. Outsourcing dry powder blending should make your operation easier, not more complicated. A capable toll blending partner gives manufacturers access to production equipment, labor, process controls and capacity without requiring the capital investment and operational demands of bringing another process in-house. That can make toll blending a strong option when you need to: - Add production capacity - Launch a new product - Support seasonal or variable demand - Establish a second manufacturing source - Produce specialty or lower-volume formulations - Move from pilot quantities to recurring production - Avoid purchasing dedicated processing equipment - Connect blending directly to packaging and distribution MCMILLANCO supports projects from pilot and small-batch work through recurring commercial production, with equipment, batch sizes and processes matched to the needs of each project. ## Start With the Material Every successful dry powder project starts with understanding the material. Two products that appear nearly identical can behave very differently once they enter a blender, conveyor or filling machine. Important factors can include: - Bulk density - Particle size - Flow characteristics - Moisture - Abrasiveness - Dust generation - Ingredient ratios - Product sensitivity - Package size - Required production volume That is why MCMILLANCO begins new-project evaluations with the material itself. A current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is typically one of the first pieces of information we request, along with the product specification, bulk density, packaging requirements, expected volumes and production timeline. The goal is not to force every material through the same process. The goal is to match the material to the right process. ## Not Every Powder Behaves the Same Way Dry powder processing requires more than knowing how many pounds fit into a mixer. A lightweight agricultural formulation may behave very differently from a dense industrial mineral. A free-flowing sand can respond differently than a very fine clay. A high-density mineral blend may place substantially different demands on processing equipment than a low-density botanical product. Differences in particle size and density can also create segregation concerns, while very fine materials may present dust or flow challenges. A strong toll blending partner should understand those differences before production begins. ## What Should You Look for in a Toll Blender? When evaluating a toll blending company, start by looking beyond the size of the mixer. Important questions include: - What batch sizes can the equipment accommodate? - How does the manufacturer evaluate bulk density? - How are minor ingredients incorporated? - How is the blend sequence controlled? - How are lots and batches documented? - What cleaning and changeover procedures are used? - How are dusty materials handled? - Can the process scale as volume grows? - Can the finished material move directly into packaging? The objective should be consistent, repeatable production, not simply mixing ingredients together. ## From Pilot to Production A product does not always begin as a full-scale commercial program. Some projects start with relatively small trial batches. Others may begin as a limited market launch before expanding into recurring production. That makes flexibility important. MCMILLANCO supports manufacturers that may need to begin with smaller or pilot quantities and build toward larger production programs as demand develops. This can be useful for: - New products - Customer qualification batches - Specialty formulations - New-market launches - Additional production capacity - Second-source manufacturing - Seasonal programs The ability to grow with the program can eliminate the need to change manufacturing partners every time requirements increase. ## Packaging Should Connect to Processing Blending is only one part of getting a product ready for market. Once the material is processed, it still needs to be packaged, palletized, stored and shipped. That is why MCMILLANCO's capabilities are designed to connect. **Blending → Packaging → Palletizing → Warehousing → Fulfillment → Distribution** Keeping more of these operations together can reduce unnecessary material handling and vendor handoffs. ## Expanded Powder Packaging Capabilities MCMILLANCO has expanded its contract packaging capabilities with an air valve bag filling system designed to support dry powders and granular materials. For compatible products, air valve bag filling can provide an efficient way to move bulk or processed material into a finished package. Potential advantages can include: - Higher filling efficiency - Reduced manual handling - Consistent finished packages - Better handling of certain dusty products - Efficient palletizing - Improved throughput for larger programs Air valve bagging can be particularly attractive for certain sand, clay, silica, mineral and industrial powder applications. ### Air Valve Bagging for Sand Sand may seem like a straightforward material, but from a packaging standpoint, it can present several challenges. Depending on the grade and application, sand may be: - Dense - Abrasive - Dusty - Fine - Coarse - Highly free-flowing - Sensitive to moisture For compatible products, air valve bagging can provide an efficient packaging solution. Potential sand-related applications may include: - Industrial sand - Silica sand - Specialty sands - Foundry materials - Roofing materials - Construction-related minerals - Dry mineral blends The important point is that not every sand behaves the same way. Before production, the actual product needs to be evaluated based on characteristics such as bulk density, particle size, moisture, dust generation and abrasiveness. ### Air Valve Bagging for Clay Clay presents a different set of packaging challenges. Fine clay products can be: - Very dusty - Cohesive - Prone to bridging - Slow to deaerate - Sensitive to moisture - Difficult to move through some filling systems For compatible products, valve bags can provide an effective finished package for clay and related mineral products. Examples of materials that may be evaluated include: - Kaolin - Ball clay - Bentonite - Specialty casting clays - Other dry clay products The characteristics of the individual clay grade matter. That is why MCMILLANCO evaluates the specific product before determining the appropriate packaging process. ## Sand, Clay, Silica and Mineral Products MCMILLANCO's Perrysville facility has a strong connection to mineral and ceramic-material handling. Materials associated with projects evaluated at the facility include: - Kaolin - Ball clay - Specialty casting clay - Bentonite - Feldspar - Ground silica - Silica sand - Magnesium oxide - Other dry mineral blends These products may look similar in bulk form, but they can behave very differently in production. For example, sand may flow rapidly but create abrasion. Fine clay may bridge. Bentonite may be extremely fine and cohesive. Feldspar and silica may require additional consideration for wear, dust and housekeeping. That is why material handling should never be approached as one-size-fits-all. ## What About Silica? Silica-containing materials deserve additional attention. Different sand, clay and mineral products can contain very different levels of crystalline silica. That means dust management, housekeeping and employee-exposure controls must be considered based on the actual product being processed. For silica-containing materials, the project review may include: - Current SDS - Product composition - Particle size - Dust characteristics - Packaging method - Dust collection - Housekeeping requirements - PPE requirements - Process configuration - Applicable exposure controls At MCMILLANCO, dusty materials are evaluated as part of the overall manufacturing process—not simply as a packaging problem. ## Valve Bags vs. Open-Mouth Bags No single bagging method is right for every dry product. ### Air Valve Bags Often well suited for certain: - Powders - Sands - Clays - Minerals - Dense dry materials - Granular products Important considerations include flowability, aeration, dust generation and bag-valve design. ### Open-Mouth Bags Often useful for: - Granular products - Multi-component blends - Irregular materials - Products requiring flexible closure options The best packaging method depends on the material, production volume and finished-product requirements. A contract packaging partner should help determine which method fits the application instead of forcing every product into the same system. ## More of the Process. Fewer Handoffs. Your operation does not always fit neatly into one service. That is why MCMILLANCO's capabilities are designed to connect. **Raw Materials → Processing → Packaging → Storage → Fulfillment → Distribution** For larger-volume bulk programs, that process may also include: **Rail → Bulk Storage → Processing → Packaging → Warehousing → Distribution** Instead of coordinating separate suppliers for manufacturing, packaging, storage and logistics, customers can keep more of the process within one connected operation. That can help reduce: - Vendor handoffs - Unnecessary freight - Material movement - Scheduling complexity - Production delays - Inventory transfers It also gives customers one partner with visibility across more of the supply chain. ## Built to Handle More. Built to Move More. Higher-volume dry-material programs often depend on how efficiently raw materials can be received and moved. Materials may arrive in: - Bags - Pallets - Super sacks - Bulk trucks - Railcars MCMILLANCO's Perrysville operation includes bulk-material handling infrastructure and direct rail access, allowing manufacturing, packaging, storage and logistics to be connected in one location. For the right application, bulk material can move through multiple stages without being repeatedly transported between outside vendors. That is especially valuable for companies moving significant volumes of sand, clay, minerals or other dry materials. ## Keep Products Moving After Production Manufacturing does not end when the bag is filled. Finished product may still need to be: - Palletized - Stretch wrapped - Labeled - Stored - Released by lot - Shipped LTL - Shipped by truckload - Sent to distributors - Sent to retail distribution centers - Prepared for Amazon - Fulfilled directly to customers MCMILLANCO provides warehousing, fulfillment and distribution support within the same operation. This allows customers to connect production with the next stage of their supply chain instead of immediately transferring finished goods to another provider. ## Quality and Repeatability Matter A toll manufacturer becomes part of your production process. That means quality systems matter. MCMILLANCO is ISO 9001:2015 certified and uses documented processes to support consistent production, traceability and customer requirements. Depending on the project, controls may include: - Defined batch sizes - Weight-based ingredient controls - Batch documentation - Lot tracking - In-process weight checks - Customer specifications - Packaging verification - Retained samples - Finished-goods identification The specific quality plan should be matched to the product and customer requirements. ## More Than a Manufacturer. An Extension of Your Team. Price matters. But the lowest blending rate or lowest bagging price does not necessarily create the lowest total supply-chain cost. A partner that can connect manufacturing, packaging, storage and distribution may help eliminate additional freight moves, vendor coordination and material handling. When evaluating a toll blending or contract packaging company, consider the complete operating model. Ask whether the company can support the project today—and whether it has the infrastructure to support the program as it grows. ## Questions to Ask a Toll Blending and Contract Packaging Partner Before choosing a supplier, consider asking: - What types of dry materials do you handle? - What batch sizes can you support? - Do you perform pilot or small-batch work? - How do you evaluate a new powder or mineral? - Do you require an SDS? - How do you manage lot and batch traceability? - What dust collection is available? - What packaging formats can you support? - Do you offer air valve bag filling? - Can you package sand? - Can you package clay? - Can you handle silica-containing products? - Can you receive super sacks? - Can you receive bulk material? - Do you have rail access? - Can you warehouse finished product? - Can you fulfill orders directly after production? - Can the process scale as volume increases? The answers can tell you much more than a simple price-per-pound quote. ## What Does MCMILLANCO Need to Review Your Project? To evaluate a dry powder blending or contract packaging opportunity, it helps to provide as much information as possible at the beginning. Useful information includes: - Current SDS - Product description - Formula or processing requirements - Bulk density - Particle size, when available - Moisture specifications - Target batch size - Package size - Bag specification - Estimated annual usage - Expected monthly releases - Raw-material receiving format - Quality and testing requirements - Finished-product shipping requirements - Desired production timing For sand, clay and mineral projects, flow characteristics and abrasiveness can also be especially important. ## Looking for More From Your Manufacturing Partner? Whether you need to outsource production, expand capacity, add contract packaging or simplify the movement of dry bulk materials through your supply chain, MCMILLANCO can help. **Tell us about your:** Material | SDS | Bulk Density | Volume | Packaging Requirements | Timeline Our team can review the project and determine how MCMILLANCO can support your operation—from pilot production through recurring commercial programs. [Request a quote](https://mcmillancomfg.com/request-a-quote/) to get started. **One Partner. More of Your Supply Chain. Under One Roof.** **MCMILLANCO, LLC** Perrysville, Ohio [614-800-0334](tel:+16148000334) [mcmillancomfg.com](https://mcmillancomfg.com/) ![Dustin McMillan](https://blog.mcmillancomfg.com/hs-fs/hubfs/dustin-mcmillan-headshot.jpg?width=150&name=dustin-mcmillan-headshot.jpg) #### Dustin McMillan [Follow me on my website](https://mcmillancomfg.com) [Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-mcmillan/) I help manufacturers and growing brands solve the production, packaging, and logistics challenges that stand in the way of growth. As President and CEO of MCMILLANCO, I work with customers who need additional capacity, a dependable manufacturing partner, or a practical path from a new product idea to repeatable production. From our rail-served facility in Perrysville, Ohio, we bring blending, packaging, storage, and distribution together so customers can work with one partner. MCMILLANCO is ISO 9001:2015 certified. ### Leave a Comment #### About - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### Services - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### News - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three Follow us on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram MCMILLANCO 150 Pottery Street Perrysville, Ohio 44864 [614-800-0334](tel:6148000334) [info@mcmillancomfg.com](mailto:info@mcmillancomfg.com) Services [Toll Blending](https://mcmillancomfg.com/precision-blending-solutions/toll-blending/) [Precision Blending](https://mcmillancomfg.com/precision-blending-solutions/) [Co-Packing & Kitting](https://mcmillancomfg.com/assembly-co-packing-and-kitting-solutions/) [Warehousing & Distribution](https://mcmillancomfg.com/warehousing-inventory-distribution/) Company [About Us](https://mcmillancomfg.com/aboutus-2/) [FAQs](https://mcmillancomfg.com/faqs/) [Careers](https://mcmillancomfg.com/careers/) [MFG Monkey Podcast](https://mcmillancomfg.com/podcast-2/) Let's Work Together [Start a Partnership Conversation](https://mcmillancomfg.com/request-a-quote/) [Follow MCMILLANCO on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mcmillanco-llc) Blend → Package → Store → Fulfill → Rail ISO 9001:2015 Certified  |  FDA-Registered Food Facility  |  ODA Registered © MCMILLANCO, LLC