In a landmark development poised to reshape the landscape of the contract manufacturing and packaging sector, the Contract Packaging Association (CPA) has officially announced a strategic combination with the Foundation for Supply Chain Solutions (F4SS). This alliance brings together two highly influential organizations, forming what is now the industry’s most comprehensive resource for external manufacturers, contract packagers, and brand owners operating in the dynamic and fast-evolving food and consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector.
This strategic move comes at a pivotal time, as the food and CPG industries face mounting complexity driven by the meteoric rise of private label brands, the explosive growth of emerging companies, and intensifying regulatory oversight. The combined organization will serve a broad and diverse network of stakeholders—ranging from Fortune 500 companies to agile startups—unifying expertise, tools, and collaborative networks into one powerful platform. Together, CPA and F4SS will represent and support hundreds of member companies spanning the contract manufacturing, external packaging, and branded goods spectrum.
The enhanced organization is now uniquely positioned to act as the central authority on external manufacturing and packaging partnerships in a marketplace projected to reach $130 billion by 2028.
A Strategic Response to Market Disruption
The integration of F4SS into CPA was driven by urgent shifts within the CPG landscape. Consumer behavior is changing faster than ever, and market fragmentation is the new norm. Private label brands now command a quarter of all CPG sales, an all-time high. At the same time, niche and emerging brands are rapidly capturing market share by meeting evolving consumer preferences around transparency, sustainability, health, and personalization.
These changes are forcing contract manufacturers and brand owners to rethink traditional models of collaboration and execution. Not only must they deliver scale and efficiency for large established brands, but they must also provide flexibility, speed, and innovation for startup challengers. Overlay this with increasingly complex regulatory standards in areas such as food safety, environmental impact, and truthful labeling, and the need for coordinated expertise becomes clear.
“The industry is evolving at breakneck speed,” said Ron Puvak, Executive Director of the Contract Packaging Association. “We’re seeing a transformation in how products are developed, manufactured, packaged, and delivered. Brands and manufacturers can no longer operate in silos. They must be deeply connected, highly adaptive, and continuously informed. This strategic combination with F4SS brings together the tools, relationships, and intelligence our members need to remain competitive and forward-looking in this environment.”
Combining Strengths: A Platform for End-to-End Excellence
Founded over 30 years ago, CPA has long been a leading voice and advocate for companies engaged in contract manufacturing and packaging. F4SS, on the other hand, has carved out a critical niche in helping companies optimize supply chain relationships and external manufacturing operations through benchmarking, strategic sourcing, and best-practice sharing.
By integrating the specialized competencies of both organizations, the new unified platform delivers immediate and long-term benefits to its member base:
1. Unmatched Industry Visibility
With a combined membership that spans traditional CPG leaders, private label manufacturers, and fast-growing challengers, the organization now offers unparalleled insight into market dynamics across all tiers of the value chain.
2. Expanded Access to Decision Makers
Members now benefit from a centralized directory that connects contract manufacturers and service providers with brand decision-makers from all corners of the industry—from multinational conglomerates to innovative new players.
3. Streamlined Regulatory Compliance Support
The alliance enhances member resources for navigating increasingly stringent food safety protocols, environmental sustainability mandates, and complex labeling regulations, helping them avoid costly missteps and stay compliant.
4. Accelerated Innovation Cycles
Through collaborative initiative teams and knowledge-sharing forums, the organization will facilitate faster adoption of advanced technologies, automation, and process improvements critical to serving a diverse client base with varying needs.
Leveraging F4SS Capabilities for Supply Chain Optimization
F4SS’s integration also brings specialized tools and resources that have proven invaluable in optimizing external manufacturing relationships. These include proprietary benchmarking systems that allow member companies to evaluate their operational efficiency, sourcing strategies, and contract manufacturing agreements against industry standards.
“Our combined membership base reflects the full diversity of today’s CPG marketplace,” said Michele Cerminaro, former Executive Director of F4SS and now Director of Strategic Partnerships at CPA. “This diversity is a powerful asset. Whether you’re a high-volume private label producer, an emerging brand bringing innovation to market, or a global contract manufacturer managing multiple partnerships, you now have access to a full spectrum of expertise, tools, and collaboration opportunities under a single organizational umbrella.”
Immediate Member Access and Future Integration
As part of the transition, all existing F4SS members will automatically receive full CPA membership benefits, including access to events, education, advocacy, and networking resources. At the same time, CPA members will gain entry to F4SS’s proprietary tools and supply chain resources, including sourcing benchmarks and external manufacturing frameworks.
The full integration of operations, systems, and membership platforms is expected to be completed by September 2025. During this period, members can expect continued communication and support to ensure a seamless transition and maximize the combined value of the two organizations.
Positioned for the Future
In uniting their capabilities, CPA and F4SS are not only responding to current market demands but also laying the groundwork for long-term industry leadership. This new entity will be instrumental in helping brands and contract manufacturers build stronger partnerships, increase agility, and deliver consumer value in a marketplace where speed, scale, and transparency are becoming non-negotiable.
“The challenges ahead are complex,” Puvak noted. “But they’re also full of opportunity. With this combination, we’re creating a knowledge-rich, highly connected ecosystem where our members can succeed—no matter how the industry continues to evolve.”
As the global contract manufacturing and packaging market accelerates toward the $130 billion mark, this strategic consolidation represents a forward-looking commitment to industry advancement, collaboration, and competitiveness at every level.
