Hello Folks,

I have created several very popular bath products that are selling very well, and would like to find a manufacturer for these products once I have patented the recipe. I would like to find a company that is local (Northeastern US), reliable and affordable.

Any ideas, comments, and suggestions are welcome.

Jeanine

respond to: simplyelegant@msn.com

You can use the Thomas Register to locate contract or private label manufacturers. (Thomasregister.com).

You'll likely find that you'll will be better off to revise your packaging to meet what the manufactuers you contact can do. Filling is usually the determining factor.

Hope this helps.

Kent Capener
Capener Consulting
wwcap@uswest.net
http://www.users.uswest.net/~wwcap/index.htm

Kent,

Thanks very much for your reply. I will begin the necessary research after the holiday rush. One more question: is hiring a contractor for these purposes very expensive? I suspect that it is.

Thanks again,
Jeanine

It can be as far as total cost and beneficial in per unit costs. You have formulations for your products that you current make and sell right? You start with these. Your formula will need to be transposed to production quantities in all likelihood. You know instead of 100 bottles per batch, it'll be 10,000 per run.

One thing that always comes up is ingredients. Your natural products aren't a new idea, so for the sake of economy and not to sacrifice quality, consider substitute and cheaper ingredients if possible. Same is true with the packaging. Another thing, unless you have the ability to obtain a production formula yourself is that the manufacturer may want to charge you a fee to develop your formula to a production forumla at a cost that works for both of you. You will also have to consider how you will pay for the order and in all likelihood it will be either 50% up front or COD. And, you'd better know where and when you're going to sell that product as well.

So, I guess the answer is yes, but don't let it scare you. If you're products are good and sell well, this is just the next step in your business evolution.

Hope this helps. And, don't put this off, start gathering the information now. Even if you had a war chest of cash your first product likely won't see reality for 90 days or more.

Kent Capener
Capener Consulting

Kent,

Thank you very, very, much for your advice. I greatly appreciate the time that you consistently take out of your busy schedule to answer questions and dispense advice.

Jeanine

Hi Jeanine,
Don't worry about putting labels on your products!!!it only can be expensive if you don't deal with the right people!!!!! ie,don't buy the labels from the manufacturer,it is better to get self adhesive labels that have your logo that is hand stamped on it to give it that Exclusive look that I'm sure you are going for.It screams volumes to your clients,Look at Me it says! plus you can use plain recycled brown craft paper that has a sticky back(sold at art stores)and it reinforces that all natural eco-friendly message
Also a well made rubber stamp and some pearlized ink would create a great look.It may seem time consuming,but not really,Just spend a few down time hours to stamp out your labels and Viola'
a custom made exclusive product.You can even hire some one to do this for you as a few hours in the afternoon!!!

Joseph,

Thanks for the info regarding product labels. I already have custom-made professional labels with a logo (matte gold on white gloss) that look very nice and give the packaging a unique and distinctive appearance.

Jeanine