Your supplement brand took years to build. Now you need a contract manufacturer who can scale it without destroying it. We break down how to evaluate contract manufacturers, what documentation they actually need, which certifications matter, and what terms protect you when batch minimums jump from 1,000 to 100,000 units overnight
- Our Mission
When you know which certifications actually matter, what MOQs are realistic, and why that contract manufacturer ghosted you after quoting, uncertainty becomes confidence. We translate the unwritten rules of supplement manufacturing into decisions you can trust.
Terms like NSF-GMP, Prop 65, and stability testing become clear through real examples. No more nodding along when your contract manufacturer throws around "matrix effects" or pretending you understand why turmeric keeps clumping.
Armed with vetted vendor lists, proven RFP templates, and actual cost breakdowns, you stop getting blindsided by hidden fees. You'll know exactly why one flavor house quotes $50K while another wants $5K—and which one you should actually pick.
- Vendor Vetting Framework
Key Services We Provide to Nutrition Brands
Vendor Evaluation
Finding a reliable contract manufacturer requires more than comparing quotes. We decode their actual capabilities—which certifications mean they won't fail FDA inspections, why their MOQ suddenly tripled, and whether that "state-of-the-art facility" is really a warehouse with one tablet press. You'll learn to spot red flags like missing stability data, vague lead times, and the classic "we can make anything" pitch that means they've never handled your ingredients. Real vetting prevents six-figure mistakes.
Supplier Matching
Getting the right manufacturer match means understanding your real needs versus nice-to-haves. A gummy brand doesn't need the same certifications as a prenatal. A 10,000-unit run has different options than 100,000. We map your actual requirements—ingredient complexity, packaging needs, testing protocols—to vendors who specialize in exactly that. No more wasting months with contract manufacturers who quote low then admit they can't source your hero ingredient or handle your capsule's enteric coating.
Contract Navigation
Smart manufacturing agreements go beyond unit price. The real money hides in setup fees, stability testing charges, and what happens when you need to change one ingredient. We teach you which terms actually matter—like who owns the formula, what triggers price increases, and why "net 30" becomes "net 90" after your first order. You'll understand why some contract manufacturers demand 50% deposits while others offer credit terms, when to push back on shelf-life requirements, and how to structure agreements that protect you when Amazon suddenly triples your orders.
The Vendor Selection Process
Understanding Your Needs
We start by mapping your actual production needs, not your wishlist. What’s your real monthly volume? Which ingredients cause headaches? Are you selling on Amazon or just D2C? This discovery reveals which manufacturers can actually handle your formula complexity, packaging requirements, and growth trajectory. Most brands discover their “simple” vitamin has fourteen ingredients that only three contract manufacturers in North America can properly source.
Requirements & Documentation
Before any contract manufacturer will quote, you need your ducks in a row. That means finished formulas (not concepts), realistic volume projections (not dreams), and actual specifications (not “make it taste good”). We help you prepare the documentation that gets taken seriously: ingredient decks with CAS numbers, stability requirements, packaging specs that include barrier properties. This prep work separates real inquiries from tire-kickers.
Vendor Matching & Outreach
We know which manufacturers actually deliver versus which ones just have pretty websites. Our network includes the contract manufacturer that saved a brand’s launch after another ghosted them mid-production, the flavor house that fixed a chalky protein in two weeks, and the packager who can do pouches under 5,000 MOQ. We match you based on real capabilities, not marketing claims—connecting you only with vendors who’ve solved your exact problem before.
Terms & Partnership Setup
The real work starts after the quote. Payment terms, liability caps, IP ownership, scaling clauses—these details determine whether you’re building a partnership or a problem. We guide you through the terms that matter: who owns formula modifications, what triggers price increases, how to handle rejected batches, exit clauses that don’t trap you. One bad contract term can cost more than shopping for the lowest unit price ever saved.
