What Does Partnering with a Botanical Extract Manufacturer Provide for Your Brand?
There are several hoops, such as state and federal regulations, to jump through when it comes to botanical product manufacturing.
If not managed right, these challenges can pose regulatory and revenue risks, which is why many botanical brands rely on the expertise and experience of a contract manufacturer. By doing this, you can focus on what matters most—growing your brand.
Let’s dive into the challenges of manufacturing and how partnering with a botanical extract manufacturer can alleviate them.
3 Key Challenges of In-House Manufacturing
There are three universal challenges involved in manufacturing: risk, reliability, and scalability. Each holds numerous regulatory procedures that businesses may be unable to fulfill due to a lack of resources, time, and expertise.
1. Risk
Manufacturing botanical products must not only meet the demands of your customers, but also state and federal guidelines. Managing these requirements can be especially challenging on top of the responsibilities that come with running a business.
These regulations require robust procedures and programs to minimize the risk involved in managing raw materials. This involves:
cGMP Qualification. Adherence to this Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certification confirms the integrity and quality of products.
Proper Safety Programs. These programs focus on executing safety, analytical, and hygienic tests prior to manufacturing.
2. Reliability
Do the products entail the exact ingredients they claim to have noted on their labels? Will they perform their intended function? Will they all yield the same results?
These are just a few questions reliability in botanical manufacturing entails. Businesses that manufacture in-house must have proper facility inspections and quality checks in place to verify their products are compliant and ready for consumers.
Reliable botanical manufacturers must also ensure their production process maximizes output. Maximizing output requires efficient equipment and experienced/trained operators to mitigate product waste and losses.
3. Scalability
Without sufficient equipment and manpower, it can be challenging to keep up with the demands and needs of the market. Especially with botanical supplements, which require comprehensive quality checks, you need a robust system that efficiently delivers quality and quantity.
4 Benefits of Outsourcing from Reputable Botanical Extract Manufacturers
So how can outsourcing manufacturing mitigate those three challenges?
Businesses can experience four key benefits if they choose to outsource manufacturing. But with the myriad of contract manufacturers out there, it can be challenging to decipher who to lean on. Who is trustworthy, and who can deliver the unique specifications of your product?
Let’s dive into the four benefits of outsourcing. Use these to help guide your team toward finding the right manufacturing partner.
1. Regulatory Requirements Are Handled
Reputable manufacturers hold the right certifications and are regularly audited by the right entities. Therefore, you should not have to worry about attaining these authorizations yourself.
For example, a contract manufacturer will have:
Third-party cGMP certification
Regularly scheduled audits with certification agencies such as Oregon Tilth (organic certification) and OK Kosher (kosher certification)
Unscheduled audits with the state departments of agriculture and the FDA
Contract manufacturers can also provide regulatory compliance overview and consultation for new clients. With this, botanical businesses will benefit from having insights into trends and regulations they would not otherwise have access to on their own.
2. Consistent Quality Is Guaranteed
Contract manufacturers have processes in place to ensure products are of the highest quality and safe for use and consumption.
Sourcing
A credible botanical manufacturer will have long-term partnerships with both local and global botanical suppliers who ethically grow and source ingredients. Moreover, these partnerships are consistently evaluated and vetted through a supplier approval and qualification program.
Production
The manufacturing process entails various extraction and production processes such as:
Spagyric methods
Ethanol and glycerite extraction
Oil-based extraction
Non-herbal liquid blending
Packaging
If you produce a wide variety of products (liquids, capsules, powders, etc.), the right contractor will be able to package all of them in multiple formats (bottles, bags, etc.).
Not to mention, they will have automated packaging & filling capabilities, allowing you to fulfill customer demands with ease.
3. Scalability Is Not an Issue
Botanical contract manufacturers can source and produce a variety of products (liquid, capsule, powder, etc.) at a scale. This includes having the capability to offer both large order quantities and minimum order quantities that provide flexibility for your business.
4. Private Labeling Is Available
Not only can a reputable manufacturer formulate supplement recipes from scratch (all thanks to an internal formulation group), but they will also have the ability to replicate any existing recipes you have.
Contractor manufacturers may even offer label review consultation for new clients, ensuring their labels are compliant with state and federal requirements.
Why Consumer Product Brands Trust Earth Lab Botanicals
If you’re looking for a contract manufacturer, start with Earth Lab Botanicals. As a botanical contract manufacturer for over 30 years, we carry the expertise and experience your business needs to meet the expectations of customers and state/federal agencies.
As one of our valued partners, you can expect:
Over 300 herbal materials sourced from both local and global suppliers
Full compliance with federal and state standards (our previous FDA audit resulted in 0 findings and nonconformances)
An internal formulation group that can make formulations from scratch or replicate recipes
Expertise in herbal, liquid, and cosmetic manufacturing
Low MOQs (500 units)
Consultation services for new clients (compliance overview and label review)
Get Started with a Free Quote
If you’d like to learn more about our team and what we can do for you, reach out to us. We are happy to get you started with a free quote.