Undeniably, contract manufacturers play a crucial role in not only bringing a product to life, but also supporting brands around their quality control, regulatory compliance, certification, safety, transparency and sustainability needs. Companies of all sizes enlist the help of contract manufacturers to oversee the journey of a product —from concept to shelf. This report explores all the necessary considerations and challenges for the ‘concept to shelf’ journey
Partner selection is unique to each company, and multiple considerations will be brought into question when determining the right partner for a brand’s manufacturing, capacity and additional service needs. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the reality of what can go wrong when supply chains are placed under pressure, and shed light on the value of strong partnerships with robust contract manufacturers. Whether you are in the process of launching a new product to market, or re-evaluating your production needs, this ‘go-to-market’ guide will walk you through the fundamentals of partner selection, understanding facility audits, identifying red flags, and cost calculation.
If you’re new to onboarding a manufacturing partner, brand owner of Fighter Shots, Anna Szymanowska, shares: “There will always be challenges such as product quality issues, last minute changes and delays, which, if not addressed properly, can create losses. To overcome such challenges, there must be a constant communication, transparency and trust in place.” She notes that a feeling of not being prioritised, poor responsiveness and lack of support leads the brand to question if the manufacturer is the right fit for her business. If you’re new to a contract manufacturing relationship, Peter de Jong, principal scientist processing at NIZO, shares that co-manufacturing can increase flexibility and capacity in production and let you postpone capex investment while you gather real market feedback, and can also help to safeguard your brand when you encounter supply or capacity issues. “Always be honest and transparent. Don’t over-ask, don’t over-promise and you will avoid nasty surprises later,” he advises.
What might those nasty surprises be? Let’s explore.