Starting your own line of supplements isn’t just a great way to ensure your customers get the high-quality products they deserve; it’s also a powerful way to build your brand and set your business up for long-term success.
But launching a successful supplement company is a complex process. You need to develop the formulas for your products and source ingredient suppliers. You need to establish an effective testing process to ensure your supplements are safe for consumption. You need to purchase the manufacturing equipment and find a facility to house it. You need to think about labeling, packaging, storage, marketing, and shipping.
To make things easier and more affordable, many people choose to bring their vision to life with the help of an OEM partner. An established herbal supplement manufacturer is already certified and has the resources and practices in place for creating your products. This keeps the complicated licensing and logistics in the hands of experts, allowing you to focus on serving your customers and growing your business.
Be sure to evaluate any supplement manufacturer fully before you begin working with them. Consider the points below carefully to find the right fit.
Know What Kind of Manufacturing You’re Looking For
There is more than one way to work with a third-party herbal supplement manufacturer. The outcome is the same — a product you can sell — but the services vary.
A private label manufacturer is a “plug and play” option that allows you to choose an existing formula and put your brand label on it. Everything has already been done for you — the research, ingredient sourcing, formulation, blending, and manufacturing of the product. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel by developing your own formulas with this option, but it provides no differentiation between your products and another company’s products in this crowded and competitive industry.
A contract manufacturer gives you more flexibility and a larger role to play in the process. Most details are taken care of for you, but the formulas are created according to your specifications rather than using pre-made stock formulas that have already been developed. This ensures you receive exactly what you’re looking for and allows for more differentiation between you and your competitors in the marketplace.
Make Sure They Follow GMP
GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practice. It is an international system for ensuring that products are produced consistently and meet rigorous quality standards to minimize the risks involved in supplement or pharmaceutical production. GMP covers numerous aspects of production, including the premises, the starting materials, the equipment, record keeping, sanitation, storage, employee training, and the personal hygiene of staff.
You may see GMP referred to as “cGMP.” The “c” stands for “current” to remind manufacturers that they must stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and systems to comply with the regulation. GMP compliance is widely accepted as one of the best indicators of a quality herbal supplement manufacturer.
Learn About Their Quality Assurance Measures
GMP adherence is critical, but there’s much more that goes into producing safe herbal supplements.
Find out if the manufacturer you’re considering offers a Certificate of Analysis (COA) with their products. The COA is a document attesting that the raw materials in the supplement have undergone specified testing with specified results, ensuring they are authentic and of high quality.
Another sign of a good quality assurance program is adherence to ISO protocols. ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is a nongovernmental organization that develops quality management system protocols that govern various aspects of a business’s manufacturing operations.
Your herbal supplement manufacturer should also have stringent internal testing and inspection processes. For example, KP’s quality assurance measures include species authentication and tests for dangerous pesticides, sulfur dioxide, aflatoxins, heavy metals, and aristolochic acid.
Consider More Than Lead Times and Minimum Order Requirements
Evaluating lead times and minimum order requirements is an important part of choosing the right manufacturer for your needs. You’ll want to make sure that the turnaround time is reasonable and the minimum order requirement isn’t too large for your needs. However, other factors go into this decision, and it’s unwise to make your decision solely based on price or timelines.
As the owner of the brand that will sell these products, it’s critical to keep in mind that you’re creating supplements people will ingest. If one manufacturer quotes a significantly lower price or faster turnaround time than other vendors, healthy skepticism is advised. They may be cutting corners somewhere to make that possible, and that can wind up being dangerous for your customers.
Understand the Scope of Their Services
Different manufacturers offer different services — it sounds simple, but it’s vital to understand exactly what you need and exactly what the manufacturer provides. How involved will you be in the creation of the formula? Will they bottle the product, or do you need to hire an outside bottling provider? Are you responsible for the design and branding of your supplement, or is it the manufacturer? Do they offer shipping and storage services as well?
There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, but you must confirm that the manufacturer’s offerings align with your needs so there are no surprises that disrupt the process down the line.
Custom Herbal Supplement Manufacturers — What Sets KPC Apart
With over 100 years of industry experience, KPC stands out as one of the leading herbal supplement manufacturers in the world. We are known for our responsible sourcing practices, our quality control standards, our advanced production facilities, our experienced personnel, and our century-long commitment to innovation.
Ready to get started with your supplement manufacturing needs? Contact the KPC team today to inquire about our OEM services and find out how we can help your business succeed.
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*Please note: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This article is not intended to suggest specific treatments for patients or that any supplements mentioned prevent or cure diseases or problems. Before taking any herbs, all patients should discuss their options with a licensed practitioner, including any other medications the patient is currently taking, as there may be contraindications between pharmaceuticals and herbs.
