You want to develop a nutritional supplement. The time has come for you to begin sifting through your list of (possible) contract manufacturing partners now that you have your concept and have completed your study. There is only one small issue: you have no idea how to choose the right manufacturer for your project.
Although there isn’t a formal book or manual for evaluating dietary supplement makers, there are a few strategies, suggestions, and approaches that have repeatedly been shown to be quite useful.
First advice: Do not be hesitant to inquire. Lots and lots of questions.
It’s crucial that you bring your own inquiries to the table even though any dietary supplement contract maker worth considering ought to (ideally) be upfront with you from the beginning.
Working with a possible contract manufacturer to start the conversation early will enable you to start gathering all the data you require and then to start learning everything they require about you, your target market, and your product.
Okay, I get what you’re saying about questions being crucial, but which questions am I expected to ask at this point?
Again, there aren’t really any “correct” or “incorrect” inquiries to make of a contract manufacturer. Many of the inquiries that are important to ask concern particulars that are particular to your order (think factors like ingredients, ingredient sourcing, and delivery methods).
Thankfully, there are a few inquiries that anyone intending to produce a nutritional supplement should make of their contract manufacturer (this is where points 2–6 come into play).
Tip #2: Study the history of the manufacturer.
A producer of dietary supplements should be able to list off all of their technical qualifications, accreditations, and requirements and should also be eager to hear your story as well as their own.
It might be all too simple for a manufacturer to assert that their team has the assets and expertise required to earn your business in practically any market. This reality has just one obviously major flaw—a contract manufacturer should seek to earn your business, not merely try to take it.
There are a lot more factors to take into account, even if it might be very tempting to choose a manufacturer based on some impressive-sounding claims or an alluringly low price. You might want to think about issues like the following before selecting the best supplement manufacturer:
- When did you start working as a contract manufacturer?
- How long has your personnel been there?
- How are your staff members organized?
- Which facilities do you deal with? Certifications?
- Is it feasible for me to contact a current client?
- How has your past performed?
The list goes on and on!
A manufacturer and their employees should be eager to gain your trust throughout the quote process by being attentive, providing excellent customer service, and being eager to assist you in creating the greatest product possible.
Find out who you are speaking to on the phone in tip #3.
You should be aware of who you’re speaking with while you’re on the phone “with your contract manufacturer,” just as you should discover their narrative. Knowing their name is not always sufficient. Here is why.
Think about the following details:
Fact #1: A trained product specialist and a member of the administrative staff differ from each other in a few significant ways.
Fact #2: A production specialist who has just graduated from college is probably not going to be able to provide you with the same level of service as one who has been in the business for ten years.
Fact #3: A genuine person (regardless of their position) and an automated answering service have a number of notable differences.
Fact #4: The majority of automatic answering services can’t carry on a decent conversation.
Fact #5: Most individuals prefer speaking with actual people (and having their calls returned).
Some contract manufacturers and their employees will provide full disclosure right away, but there are other manufacturers that, unless you ask them beforehand, may not be as eager to do so.
The bottom line with understanding who you are speaking to is as follows: It’s likely that the ideal manufacturer with knowledge of contract manufacturing for nutritional supplements will put you in contact with a real, breathing, and (most importantly) certified team member right away.
Tip #4: What does their certification and compliance situation look like?
The following is the first compliance query you ought to pose: Do they have NSF registration and certification for their facilities and any other facilities they collaborate with? This question should always be answered in the affirmative. Without exceptions Basic
The manufacturer you ultimately choose to partner with should be able to get your products the certifications you want them to have in addition to being up to date with all of the good manufacturing procedures (GMPs) for the nutraceutical business.
There are a variety of various certifications and criteria you may want to take into consideration depending on the type of supplement you’re making and the intended market. The most well-known certifications are kosher, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan/vegetarian, and soy free.
Many contract manufacturers (but not all) will let you see their facilities in addition to providing you with all the information you require regarding certifications, industry best practices, and compliance; however, these trips typically need to be booked in advance.
Tip #5: Can they help you with the logistics of packaging, shipping, and storage?
There’s a strong likelihood that you still need to decide how your product will be labeled, packaged, stored, and distributed, especially if you’re just getting started.
There are supplement manufacturers just like Renown Pharma who can help you take care of all of these components, even though it’s not the standard package. Even those who can’t provide you with all of these components should be able to provide you with the resources and guidance needed to help you find the best solutions for you.
An Important Note Regarding Graphic Design: Working with a graphic designer who is unfamiliar with dietary supplement labeling and print media is one of the most common blunders new brand owners make. You can read more about this (and other potentially deadly mistakes) here.
Tip #6: They should be willing to say “no.”
Do you really want a contract manufacturer to inform you that they “can’t/wowon’t be able to do it for you”?
Of course. I’d say there is. The ability to say “no” can, in reality, make the difference between a good manufacturer and the appropriate manufacturer in a great deal of circumstances.
There are three circumstances in which you want your manufacturer to apologize and explain why they are unable or unable to help.
Even though it seems like a fantastic notion in theory, what you’re asking for is not feasible. Your manufacturer should be confident enough to inform you of this right away if it is not logistically feasible.
From a financial/ROI perspective, what you’re requesting doesn’t make sense; ideally, your manufacturer is there to help you and your business flourish, not fail. It is extremely valuable to have the industry-earned experience and knowledge to understand when the numbers will and won’t work in your favor (and the guts to tell you when they won’t).
Even though it’s ultimately the responsibility of a brand owner to ensure that all aspects of a product are FDA-compliant, having a contract manufacturer who is aware of the regulations is a major advantage. What you want wouldn’t be in compliance with the current FDA or industry-implemented regulations.
Not always getting your way, in the beginning, can help you avoid losing resources, time, and money later on in the production process.
On the other hand, a contract manufacturer who is at ease with a “yes you to death” attitude would be someone you want to avoid. A good manufacturer should be able to acknowledge that: 1) some things just cannot be done, and 2) some items and tasks are better left to other manufacturers.
Any contract manufacturer who wants to succeed must be able to communicate openly and honestly with both their clients and potential customers.
#Tip 7:Is there a service for formulation offered?
The success of your supplement is greatly influenced by its formulation. There are many formulation techniques you can use, but it’s crucial to talk about your plan with your contract manufacturer. A good manufacturer just like Renown Pharma will assist you in deciding on your product offering and formulation. They also have already made formulations that could fast forward the process cutting lead time.
Tip #8:Can the manufacturer supply your product and any potential line extensions?
An expert contract supplement maker will be able to advise you on the items you should produce to increase sales and broaden your target market. They will be aware of the market’s best-selling products.
Tip #9:How long does it typically take to manufacture new products? What about items that are being ordered again?
Selecting the contract manufacturer with the shortest manufacturing lead time should not be your first option. These producers occasionally fail to meet the specified deadlines or provide supplements that might not be compliant with the most recent FDA rules or industry standards. This could lead to serious problems for both you and your supplement company.
KEY LESSONS
It could take some time to find the ideal contract manufacturer for your project involving nutritional supplements, but that’s good. This is the one area of the process of making dietary supplements that is worth spending more time and effort on.
Ultimately, any contract manufacturer you decide to deal with will be in charge of influencing both your experiences and understanding of the supplement manufacturing process as well as your final product, for better or worse. That’s why to trust Renown Pharma as your contract manufacturer.
You can effectively establish the foundation for a long-term business connection that will play a critical role in the success of your dietary supplement journey by taking the time to locate the proper manufacturer like us the first time around.