In today’s world, everyone wants to be a brand owner and run a business with their own products. This has led to the rise of many new SME businesses. Entrepreneurs who are skilled, able to learn, and adapt quickly to technological changes focus on producing quality products, designing outstanding packaging to create differentiation and make the products more appealing. This approach can lead to business success with ease.

What is an SME Business?

SME stands for Small and Medium Enterprise, referring to businesses with medium and small-scale operations. These businesses are managed and operated in three major sectors:

1. Production (Product Sector) – covering agriculture, industry, and mining.

2. Trade (Trading Sector) – including both wholesale and retail operations.

3. Services (Service Sector)

SME businesses operate under the laws specified in the “Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises Act” B.E. 2543 (2000). The criteria used to classify the size of an SME business include the measurement of fixed asset value and the number of employees. The classification is as follows:

• Manufacturing or service businesses with fixed assets not exceeding 200 million baht and employing no more than 200 people.
• Wholesale businesses with fixed assets not exceeding 100 million baht and employing no more than 50 people.
• Retail businesses with fixed assets not exceeding 60 million baht and employing no more than 30 people.

The Role and Importance of Packaging for SME Businesses

Owning a small or medium-sized business, or an SME, has its advantages, such as being a business that uses personal funds and loans from financial institutions. Additionally, it is a type of business that receives support and encouragement from government organizations. SME products often come from pre-existing items, such as community products or locally sourced goods. These products can be further developed or added value by designing packaging that is both attractive and suitable for the product, making the product stand out with unique characteristics.

Thus, the importance of packaging for SME businesses is not only for wrapping or providing convenience for transportation, such as using cardboard boxes, corrugated paper, and paper pallets to prevent damage during transit. The design of packaging with distinctive features not only makes the product different from other similar products but also helps make the brand memorable to customers.