Private Label Manufacturing

The Contract Packaging Association and the Co-Packing Network Created the Contract Manufacturing Alliance to bring together Consumer Product Industry Groups (Trade Associations, Product Developers, Ingredient Companies, Packaging Companies, Food Scientists, Incubators, Funding Groups, Brokers, Retailers, Food Service Customers, Distributors and Others) For Common Collaborative Goals:  Helping Brand Groups (Of All Sizes) With Their Manufacturing Needs.

Definition:  A private label product is manufactured by a contract or third-party manufacturer and sold under a retailer’s or food service operator’s brand name.

Start-up, Emerging and Established Brands:
Needing a Private Label Manufacturer?

About the Contract Manufacturing Alliance’s Private Labeling Program:   The Contract Manufacturing Alliance (with industry partners) created the Private Labeling Program as an extension of the Contract Packaging Association.   We have been involved with private label manufacturers for over 30-years and currently are involved with retailers and food service operators with their private label needs.
Recruiting New Private Label Manufacturers: The Contract Packaging Association’s membership includes contract manufacturers of all-types.  We are recruiting current and future contract manufacturers to become private label manufacturers (for retailers, food service operators and distributors).

Extension Programs:  We have created product marketing, sourcing and sales programs specific for the client of a private label manufacturer.  Private Label Manufacturers now can now offer extension services to their clients relating to the launch of their products into the marketplace.
We help with subjects such as:

As the Founders of the Co-Packing Network and Co-Founders of the Contract Manufacturing Alliance, our family has been involved within the consumer product industry (US based manufacturing, retailing, distribution) since the early 1920’s.  From the first generation to the latest, our best practices have been handed down over time leading to a long legacy of successes in the business (manufacturing, retailing, distribution and more)..

The Contract Manufacturing Alliance (Contract Manufacturers, Pilot Plants, Private Labelers, Commercial Kitchens) Was Created to Be the Key Resource For Anything to Do With Manufacturing Consumer Products.

The CPA’s Request for Quote (RFQ) tool allows start-up and emerging brands to submit a ‘Request for Quote’ for their needs for a commercial kitchen and/or a contract manufacturer.   The Request for Quote will be dispatched to CPA Members whose capabilities match your project needs, and if they can assist you, will contact you directly about their services and capabilities.
RFQ Tool

The Co-Packing Network manages the request all-the-way through to end up with successful results.  They also can become a project manager to manage the whole process (search, secure and work with one or more contract manufacturers).

For Consumer Brand Groups, Retailers and Food Service Operators, the Contract Manufacturing Alliance Has Solutions For Every Form of Manufacturing Solutions They Would Need (Contract Manufacturers, Pilot Plants, Commercial Kitchens and Private Labelers).

Commercial Kitchens

www.CommercialKitchens.org

Pilot Plants

www.PilotPlants.org

Contract Manufacturers

www.Co-Packing.org

Private Labelers

www.PrivateLabeling.org

Our RFQ Tool For Private Label Customers

We matchmake retailers, food service operators and distributors with contract manufacturers, contract packagers, private labelers, pilot plants, commercial kitchens and related parties in their local areas.

Our State Programs

We have our own state programs that are available for clients. These include programs for states including California (Calif Made), Nevada (Start-up Nevada), Hawaii (Mahalo Made), Arkansas (Embark), Texas (Tex Angels), Florida (Floridable), Illinois (Illinois Proud), North and South Carolina (Carolineage). We have locations in each of those states as well.

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC

Are you looking for a Co-Packer?

The Co-Packing Network:  With its roster of 15,000 plus contract manufacturers (of all types), they can help start-up emerging and established brands of all-kinds.  They say, if it can be sold in a Wal-Mart (or Target and/or AAFES) they have co-packing partners who can make it.
The Co-Packing Network was created as the extension of the RFQ Tool (Request For Help) created by the Contract Packaging Association 15-years ago.  Simply fill out a RFQ Tool request or email us to talk about your needs.

The Contract Packaging Association has its own extension program relating specifically to contract manufacturers / co-packers (www.Co-Packing.org).  Co-Packing.org will have its own specific programs that relate to client-based needs, facility equipment, ingredients, packaging, shelf-life testing, product certifications, trade associations, formulation partners,  and more.
Celebrating 15-years and going CPA’s RFQ Tool requests go straight to its membership and if needed, accesses the master roster of 15,000 co-packers for a clients needs.
A-number of clients would rather have personalized help with their co-packer search and management needs. We offer our ‘Project Manager’ service with can handle everything for you (searching, landing and managing the co-packer relationship)..

Need Help With Packaging?

The subject of packaging itself is one of the most expensive parts of he manufacturing process. The costs for film, film plates and first order of packaging is an investment to be careful with (make sure you are 100% correct on the information on the packaging). The Co-Packing Network makes packaging one of the cornerstones in its discussions with clients.

Our team’s packaging advisors have over 30 years’ experience in technical, design, production, thin-wall plastic packaging, extrusion, molding, labelling and Heat transfer decoration. Management, sales & marketing of packaging. Local and Overseas sourcing. Passionate about packaging technology & trends, Folding Carton, Litho-Laminate and Corrugated Packaging. Point-of-Sale, Shelf-Ready Packaging. Marketing & Promotional Printing; Large Format, Digital, Offset, Flexographic and Labels. Expertise also in developing Contract Packing and Product Co-Manufacturing arrangement. Extensive Domestic and International Pack and Print Resourcing. innovation, sustainable materials along with waste management (recycling education) production performance. Knowledgeable in start up operations, importing and shipping, warehousing & transport, Quality, FMCG and HACCP. When it comes to choosing the right packaging material for your product, you can’t go wrong by paying close attention to the details. After all, packaging may just be one of the biggest factors in making your product a success.
The right packaging not only attracts consumers, it will keep your product safe in transportation and keep it fresh. This reinforces the quality of the brand and item when customers know they can count on a fresh item from when it hits the shelf to when it’s in their hand.
Source: www.industrialpackaging.com

Packaging has grown in importance in recent years and innovative packaging is a valuable selling point in the market. Packaging ensures that offerings conform to market trends by communicating unique selling points and offering freshness and convenience. By being lightweight, packaging can reduce the carbon footprint of transportation. Consumers expect that packaging will be recyclable. International studies found that a majority of consumers think food and drink products are over-packaged and a number of them would consider boycotting a product if it didn’t meet their environmental criteria.

A client maybe to use the ingredient suppliers of their selected co-packer or commercial kitchen to save time and money.  In most cases the client ends up finding sources for some of the ingredients (which maybe unusual or not used by their manufacturing partner).  There are a number of sources for ingredients in general, mostly being either direct manufacturers or from distributors.

From The Experts:  Will the brand take care of ingredient sourcing or let the contract manufacturer take care of it? Key points to consider before making the decision:  traceability, quality assurance, regulatory awareness, financial consideration, availability of specialty ingredients.

Notation:  Ingredient suppliers will usually give free samples to the manufacturing partner for a client’s needs to use in test runs.

Ingredient sourcing is one of the most important things to consider when questioning a co-packer. If your raw ingredients are top quality and the co-packer will do the sourcing, you must ensure they will match the integrity profile of your brand. It may take a while to find balance between the quality and cost of your product. Coming up with, or refining, your recipe to meet scale may include a lot of back and forth, including some compromise on your part. However, if you choose a co-packer that already makes the type of product you produce, they should have a list of sources and vendors readily available for you to select the ingredients you prefer.
“The co-packer usually has better buying power, which can be beneficial to the developer of the product, both in price and consistency of ingredients,” Denis notes. The exception: If you have a niche product and need a specific ingredient that the co-packer doesn’t want to source or carry, “then it is worth sourcing it out yourself,” he adds.
Before you start, run a test batch with the new ingredients so you can get feedback from customers and family, and then tweak the recipe if needed. Test for taste, shelf stability, and nutritional profile.
Source:  Specialty Food Association

The Co-Packing Network handles ingredient sourcing for most of its clients (either for direct manufacturing or going through a co-packer).  We are partners with a-number of regional and national ingredient suppliers.

With ingredient manufacturer and supply partners, we are creating the Ingredient Manager.  The Ingredient Manager (www.IngredientManager.com) will be a match-making service offering help to all those needing ingredients (manufacturers, food labs, commercial kitchens, brands, pilot plants, private label manufacturers and others in the industry.

Are you looking for a Commercial Kitchen?

The Co-Packing Network:  From the membership of our own Contract packaging Association extension program, CommercialKitchens.orgthere are numerous Commercial Kitchens (also Kitchen Incubators, Shared Kitchens, Food Innovation Centers, Commissaries, Culinary Kitchens, Food Labs and Food Incubators) to choose from.
Commercial Kitchens work with new food industry start-ups, small-scale producers, farmers market vendors, chefs, cooking classes, home-based bakers, caterers, food truck vendors, beginning farmers, photographers, or anyone needing a certified commercial kitchen.
Commercial Kitchens usually come with kitchen equipment, packaging equipment, ovens, gas or electric stoves, prep tables, convection ovens, walk-in refrigerators and/or freezers, prep sinks, a wash-room, loading docks for trucks, shipping prep areas, storage areas, fryers, flat-top grills, 20-quart mixers, dough sheeters and more.
www.CommercialKitchens.org

Are you looking for a Pilot Plant?

Definition:  The food Pilot Plant is a scaled-down factory built to simulate food and beverage manufacturing practice. It allows manufacturing businesses to experiment and produce trial product under industrial conditions (up to 264-gallon batches).
The Pilot Plant bridges the gap between product formulation and full commercial manufacturing. It is designed to suit a variety of needs and includes a range of portable manufacturing equipment.
Pilot Plants by The Contract Packaging Association:  The Contract Packaging Association has created PilotPlants.org to group together Pilot Plants nationwide to be available for clients of all sizes (Start-up to Emerging to Established).
www.PilotPlants.org

Are You Looking For a Private Label Manufacturer?

The Packaged Goods Services Association (www.PGSA.usand the Co-Packing Network have come together to create a sub-group specific to the topic of private labeling (www.PrivateLabeling.org).
We have an extensive database of private label manufacturers nationwide (in all consumer product categories) available for your needs.  A-number of contract manufacturers also work with private label customers.
Private Label Sales Brokers:  The Co-Packing Network can guide you also to a-number of private label sales brokers ideal to introduce your capabilities to a-number of customers nationwide.

PrivateLabeling.org:  The Packaged Goods Services Association has an extension program involving private label manufacturers and their manufacturing facilities.  With strategic partners such as PMMI (Pack Expo) and others, we help food groups with subjects such as sourcing new manufacturing equipment, packaging, ingredients, sales team programming and more.
* PGSA will also be creating programs for private label manufacturers looking for new customers and for food service and retail customers looking for new private label manufacturer partners.
www.PrivateLabeling.org

Are you looking for to open-up your own production facility?

The Co-Packing Network and its partners are available to help create and build out a facility for a client group.  It can simply be our helping source manufacturing equipment to mapping out the complete facility with everything that is needed.
There is a high percentage of successful food start-ups that chose to have their own facility (versus going through a contract manufacturer).   Taking over an existing facility (with updates) or building a facility means different pros and cons to the brand group.
a.)  Existing Facility:  You may want to explore looking for an existing manufacturing facility to save costs.  Re-vamping an existing building can be an ideal option.
b.)  Building a Facility:  If there is enough funding the efforts of building a facility would be ideal.  The location is very important.  Most states have financial benefits (grants, loans) relating to your choice of a location.   States such as Nevada, Utah and North Carolina are very generous in their programs.  Another important factor is relating to the distribution of the product.

PackagedGoods.org:  The Packaged Goods Services Association has an extension program involving brand groups with their own manufacturing facilities.  With strategic partners such as PMMI (Pack Expo) and others, we help food groups with subjects such as sourcing new manufacturing equipment, packaging, ingredients, sales team programming and more.
www.PackagedGoods.org

Consumer Product Brands (Start-up to Emerging to Established):  We work with start-up, emerging and established brands in categories such as:

  • Gloves
  • Cosmetics
  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Laundry Care
  • Snacks
  • Beverages
  • Frozen Foods
  • Deli and Dairy
  • Meat and Seafood
  • Produce
  • Bakery/Bread
  • Pet Products
  • Stationary
  • Family Planning
  • Apparel
  • Health and Beautycare
  • Audio-Electronic
  • General Merchandise
  • Sports Nutrition
  • Paper Products
  • Liquor Products
  • Sporting Goods
  • Party Supplies
  • Religion Supplies
  • Video Gaming
  • Front-End Products
  • Perfumes
  • Pool Supplies
  • Personal Care
  • Charcoal and BBQ
  • Condiments
  • Sauces
  • Pickles/Olives
  • Picnic and Trash
  • Side Dishes
  • Supplements/Vitamins
  • Kitchen Needs
  • Peanut Butter/Jams
  • Coffee/Cocoa/Tea
  • First-Aid
  • Pest Control
  • Office Supplies
  • Craft and Hobby
  • OTC/Pharma/CBD
  • Ethnic Foods
  • Dietary Foods
  • Baby and Kids Products
  • Breakfast/Cereals
  • Canned Goods
  • Floral Products
  • Grains and Pasta
  • Batteries
  • Tobacco Supplies
  • Writing Instruments
  • Water Softeners
  • Confections
  • Educational Materials
  • Farm Supply
  • Hardware/Electrical
  • Auto Care/Parts
  • In-Store Deli
  • Baking Products
  • Cooking Oils
  • Spices/Seasonings
  • Lighting

Our Extended Community Also Includes:

State Depts of
Agriculture

We keep are involved with state departments of agriculture nationwide and are involved with their brand members.

Trade
Shows

Being based in Las Vegas we either exhibit or walk over 50 CPG industry trade shows. We are-able to meet with brands here.

CPG
Incubators

We are also involved with CPG industry incubators such as Circle Up as well as intro groups such as RangeMe.

SBDC /
Score.org

The team is involved with a-number of SBDC offices as well as Score.org consultants helping start-up brands.

Colleges &
Universities

The team is involved with a-number of SBDC offices as well as Score.org consultants helping start-up brands.

VC & Crowd-
funding Groups

We participate in CPG industry VC events as well help prepare start-ups with their Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns.

CPG Innovation
Labs

We are involved with groups such as Mattson and The National Food Lab as well as a growing number of Pilot Plants.

Commercial
Kitchens

From our own roster of commercial kitchens we create internal CPG incubation programs for their clients.

Farmer’s
Markets

As advisors to farmer’s market trade associations, we are creating CPG incubation programs for their vendors.

Industry
Websites

Between CPA and Conzumables we have our own CPG websites that help promote our programming.

Launching a Product into the Marketplace?

The Co-Packing Network’s sales team partners have a-number of programs that help start-up and emerging brands launch products into market.  They have over 30-years history working with some of the largest companies in the world as well have a long list of successful start-up manufacturing needs and launches with brands such as Nature’s Bakery, Perfect Snacks and Super Coffee.

  • They have been involved with over 40 brands seen on Shark Tank.
  • They have their own distribution platforms.
  • They have their own brands in many stores today.

Contract Packaging (CP) is the official magazine for the Contract Packaging Association, published three times each year by PMMI Media Group (owners of Packaging World magazine). Dedicated exclusively to contract packaging issues and news, each issue is overseen by Editor-in-Chief, Anne Marie Mohan.
20,000 qualified packaging professionals receive each edition of CP. These professionals are individuals who have indicated that they have purchase involvement in contract packaging and related services and products. Magazine recipients are also contract packagers, who are CPA members.
Contract Packaging has the privilege and the advantage of being the official publication for the Contract Packaging Association, positioning CP journalists for optimum access to and trust of key influencers who are driving the leading edge of the industry.
www.ContractPackaging.org