A common and frequent call I receive is about if I would provide them with the name of a co-pack manufacturer, to make their very unique and proprietary product. The question can appear to be fairly simple, but know the answer is fairly complex.
To be clear I’m not simply a referral service, however I do recommend what I call a “right fit manufacturer” for my clients. But before I can make a suggestion, there’s a lot of detail that I’ll need to understand first.
As for the term unique quite often used for a product, I have yet to see one that I would consider a “head scratcher”. Why, because frozen dairy and plant based products have a composition of ingredients used in different ratios, depending on requirements.
Product – Ingredient – Composition
- Dairy or plant based
- Over Run (amount of air)
- Total Solids
- Emulsifiers or Gums
- Water
- Fructose, Sucrose or Sugar Alcohol
Companies may make a claim of their secret sauce or super secret manufacturing process, but in my opinion it’s just the “The Great and Powerful Oz” syndrome to make the product or process seem one of a kind.
The basics functions inside a manufacturing facility
- Batching the ingredients
- Pasteurization
- Flavoring
- Product Freezing
- Filling
- Quick Freeze
When clients engage in my services and completes a series of meetings, they can walk away with a clear understanding of the tasks at hand and be prepared prior to making the co-pack call.
I’m sure that in many instances and by the time I receive an inquiry call, the caller has already made numerous calls, without one single manufacturer calling back.
Now that’s rude! However, that’s ok, validating my claim, that unless you know what you’re really talking about or asking for, the manufacturer will not give you the time of day, why?
Because, in today’s marketplace, they’re no longer in the business of education.
Before 1997…
Prior to dairy manufacturing consolidation, a manufacturer looking for more business would gladly assist in multiple services including, formula, product and flavor development, packaging, ingredients research and small batch production to create samples.
Today, you need to have in hand a formula, ingredient specifications, packaging and your specific product requirements.
Now I know what you’re thinking
This guy’s saying things simply to scare me into booking some valuable time with him. Not so and here’s why, I know that in the business of ice cream and plant based frozen products, infused or otherwise and entering into blindly or with intentions to shortcut the process, you’ll eventually call me anyway after wasting a ton of money and conducting a Google search for a “ice cream consultant”.
The smart folks who practice….
“Invest now before having to later”, start out with a business plan to estimate dollars needed and read the steps in the process to take a product from concept to actuality. “You have a business idea now what” , another popular article, so check it out before calling Darryl.
Having a concept is the easy part….
Executing is the real work and much harder part, that’s why you’ll hear the comment “if it was easy everyone would do it”.
Getting back to the co-pack manufacturer you’re in desperate need of and likely for a couple of good reasons.
- You’re experiencing a consistent pattern of growth and can’t keep up with production
- You simply prefer being a marketing person with no real interest in operations or manufacturing.
In either case, there are some misunderstandings about co-pack manufacturers that good to know for your dairy or plant based frozen product.
The Co-Packer Will….
- Develop my concept – false
- Hold my hand with the steps in the process – false
- Will make the amount of product I need to start out with – not necessarily
- Help with the information required on the container – false
- Store my product after making – not necessarily
- Help me in many fascists of the business – false
- Interested in taking on my business – not necessarily
- Be lower in cost than if making my own – not necessarily
Wow, what the heck will the co-packer actually do for me? Answer, make your product.
Are you ready to engage in a conversation with a co-pack manufacturer?
You tell me after answering some basic questions:
- Have you been making the product for some time and if so for how long?
- Where are your ingredients coming from?
- What is the butterfat, total solids and over run of your product?
- Where is your product currently sold?
- Do you have a formula?
- What is the name of your packaging supplier?
- Do you have the nutrition information and upc numbers for all flavors?
If you thought that simply asking for a co-packer would trigger a simple answer, well my friend you’ve discovered a big surprise. Learn all about the tasks that need to be in place, prior to making a co-pack call, doing so will allow your product to move from concept to the retail shelf.
Contact Darryl to schedule a meeting to learn what’s necessary, your wallet will thank you.
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