| Whether you are an entrepreneur with a new | | | | an attempt to grow their business, even though |
| product idea, your current volume doesn't justify | | | | your project isn't really a good fit. |
| a large capital expenditure, or you just don't want | | | | Step 3: Gather Information |
| to deal with the hassles of running a | | | | At this point you should have no fewer than |
| manufacturing plant, you are like many others | | | | three potential manufacturers and no more than |
| trying to find a contract manufacturer that can | | | | six. It's now time to gather all the information you |
| be reliable. How do you know which one is right | | | | can. Send out samples of your product or find out |
| for you? Below I will briefly explain important | | | | about the manufacturers ability to formulate. Do |
| things to consider and steps to take so that you | | | | they employ an experienced food chemist? Dig |
| will be happy with your decision. | | | | deeper on capabilities, turnkey opportunities, |
| Step one: Define your packaging and project | | | | inventory control systems, licenses, automation, |
| needs. | | | | Quality Assurance and control, in-house testing |
| Consider this: Most contract packagers are highly | | | | capabilities, and reputation. Request a quotation for |
| specialized in the packaging and products they can | | | | the project. Ask about similar existing projects or |
| run efficiently through their lines. Someone that is | | | | their top five clients. Is the business stable and |
| good at filling cans or small HDPE bottles for | | | | going to be around? What are their warranties |
| energy shots may not be able to fill large glass | | | | and are they insured? Who regulates their |
| bottles or a bag-in-box with efficiency. A | | | | operation? What kind of terms can they provide? |
| company that specializes in juice and tea | | | | Do they have systems in place (GMP, ISO, |
| manufacturing may not be able to handle a low | | | | HACCP..?) When are these reviewed? What are |
| acid protein shake because of differing sanitary | | | | lead times and who is responsible for a smooth |
| guidelines, inexperience, and lack of the highly | | | | running operation? In all reality, a contract |
| specialized equipment needed. What kind of | | | | packager should run and act as an extension of |
| pasteurization does your product need? HTST, | | | | your business. With answers to these questions |
| UHT, flash, tunnel, hot or cold fill? How many units | | | | and others, you should be able to narrow the field |
| will you need? A midsized co-packer may be a | | | | of contenders to just a few. |
| good fit for 10,000-500,000 units each month, but | | | | Step 4: Visit the Facility |
| above or below that they aren't competitive. | | | | A visit to the facility is important for many |
| Which region of the country is best? In short, | | | | reasons. Meet the management team, food |
| define the qualities and capabilities that a | | | | chemists, engineers, and planners to get a feel for |
| manufacturer will need, in order to be a good fit | | | | the kind of people they are. These people are |
| for your particular project. Along with experience, | | | | doing the work, and having the right people is vital. |
| equipment, packaging, size, and location, it's also | | | | I personally think a manufacturer will take you |
| important to consider financial strength, | | | | more seriously and be more responsive if they |
| communication, standards and controls, quality, | | | | meet you in person. Look for order, cleanliness, |
| years in business, ethics, and any conflicts of | | | | and observe general working conditions. Does |
| interest. | | | | their facility and personnel represent your business |
| Step two: Pre-qualify a few manufacturers. | | | | well? Are they all they claim to be? |
| You should be able to locate a few manufacturers | | | | Step 5: Final Evaluation |
| that fit your needs. This is best accomplished | | | | It's now time to make a decision. You have |
| using the following resources: | | | | gathered tons of important information to aid |
| - The Internet- Search for "liquid Contract | | | | you, and after narrowing down the candidates, |
| manufacturing California", "Contract Packagers | | | | and visiting them, you probably already know who |
| Texas", "juice or RTD tea contract bottlers." Use | | | | to choose. Review quality standards, capacity, |
| specific keyword phrases for best results. | | | | capabilities, pricing, equipment lists, and impressions. |
| - Trade Associations-Contract Packaging | | | | Recognize that low cost means nothing if they |
| Association. | | | | can't meet your requirements. Start with a small |
| - Trade Shows-Supply Side, pack-expo | | | | sample or pilot run. Work as closely with the |
| - Yellow Pages- | | | | co-packer as you would an internal manufacturer |
| - Manufacturing Directories- Bevnet or thomasnet. | | | | on package design, procurement of materials, and |
| - Referrals-Referrals are great! | | | | every detail. Make sure that the contract |
| You can pre-qualify each contract packager by | | | | packager understands clearly what you want to |
| visiting their website, making a phone call, and | | | | have done. Be very specific in documenting the |
| asking any of their current clients what they do | | | | scope of work and quality parameters. |
| best. They may say they can run your project in | | | | |