The global custom nutrition and supplements market, which soared to a staggering valuation of $43.4 billion in 2022 with a projected CAGR of 15.0% from 2023 to 2030, reflects a period of remarkable expansion. This surge is driven by increasing consumer demand, as more individuals embrace personalized health solutions to support their active lifestyles and wellness goals.
In this evolving landscape, today’s consumers are well-informed and demand transparency from supplement brands they trust. This growing expectation is a key driver reshaping the industry, pushing brands to uphold higher standards in ingredient sourcing, quality control, and labeling.
With the market flooded with countless manufacturers, a critical question arises: How can supplement brand owners identify the right manufacturing company—one that aligns with their needs across R&D, formulation, production efficiency, and reliable lead times?
Understanding how to find a supplement manufacturer is crucial to the success of your nutraceutical company. Choosing the right company can impact everything from product quality and innovation to compliance and supply chain efficiency. In this guide, we’ll explore the key factors to consider when selecting the ideal custom supplement manufacturer to meet your brand’s unique needs.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer
Choosing the right supplement manufacturer is critical to ensuring product quality, reliability, and timely delivery. A manufacturer with extensive experience is more likely to have invested in rigorous quality control measures, advanced research, and formulation capabilities. Additionally, seasoned manufacturers often have a well-established network of storage and shipping services, ensuring your products are delivered on time while maintaining the highest industry standards.
Carefully review and understand the terms and conditions outlined in the contract. Pay close attention to the fine print, as it may contain crucial details about pricing, lead times, quality standards, and liability. Conduct thorough research to clarify any uncertainties, and if needed, seek professional legal or industry advice to ensure a well-informed decision.
Don’t hesitate to ask for important certifications like NSF GMP certification, NSF Certified for Sport, Kosher, Halal, and certified organic. Any reputable dietary supplement manufacturer you choose must adhere to these quality control standards. Vitaquest has maintained a stellar reputation with global regulatory agencies and is the first company of its kind to achieve the FSSC 22000 Food Safety System Certification.
What Is a Supplement Manufacturer and What Do They Do?
A contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) offers a broad range of services. These include product development, manufacturing, packaging, regulatory support, quality control, shipping and supply chain management. A CDMO produces the final product based on a client’s formula and ensures it meets quality standards and regulatory requirements. They are involved in the entire process, from the early stages of research and development through manufacturing and packaging.
This is very different from a private label manufacturer, in which a supplement brand pays a third-party manufacturer to produce an existing product formulation and then sells it under their brand name. This model is also known as white labelling. Private label manufacturing doesn’t allow any variation in the existing formula, and there is limited access to expertise and resources of a CDMO. It is virtually impossible to offer any meaningful differentiation of your product when multiple other brands are selling the same formula.
Choosing the right CDMO for the contract manufacturing of supplements is essential to aligning with your business goals and product vision. Assess whether they have proven experience producing the specific supplement types and formats you plan to sell. Do they hold the necessary certifications to ensure quality and facilitate sales through online retailers and major retail chains? Do they provide expert guidance to help you make informed manufacturing decisions? Asking these key questions will help you identify a reliable manufacturing partner that supports your brand’s long-term success.
Important Tips for Finding the Best Supplement Manufacturer
Before selecting the best supplement manufacturer for your business, you’ll need to evaluate several key factors to ensure a successful partnership. The following expert tips will guide you through the essential criteria, helping you make an informed decision and set your brand up for long-term success.
1. Understanding Your Supplement Manufacturing Needs
Understanding your specific manufacturing requirements is vital when selecting the ideal supplement manufacturer. Before embarking on your manufacturing venture, it’s essential to have a clear vision. Define your product requirements meticulously, outlining what you aim to achieve with your supplements. Your success also hinges on catering to the right audience. Thoroughly research market trends and pinpoint gaps in the industry. Understanding your target audience’s preferences and needs is key to crafting supplements that resonate with consumers.
Additionally, different supplements require different forms and delivery methods. Discuss the details with the manufacturer and check if their suggested dosage forms and delivery technologies align with your needs.
Furthermore, production volume is a critical factor to consider. If your product gains traction in the marketplace, is your supplement manufacturer equipped to immediately scale up production to meet the growing demand? In this case, size matters—a manufacturer that is too small may struggle to adapt quickly, potentially causing delays and missed opportunities. Ensuring your partner has the capacity and flexibility to support your brand’s growth is essential for long-term success.
2. Industry Experience and Reputation
When selecting a supplement manufacturer, with so many options available, it’s crucial to prioritize industry experience and reputation. The best contract manufacturers are typically those with a long-standing presence in the industry. A wealth of experience indicates they know how to execute production correctly and possess the problem-solving capabilities to handle any challenges that may arise. You certainly don’t want a manufacturer learning to troubleshoot issues for the first time while producing your product.
In addition to experience, it’s essential to research manufacturer reviews, testimonials, and case studies to assess their reliability. A manufacturer with a proven track record of producing successful products offers greater confidence in their ability to deliver. While ten years of experience is a solid foundation, two decades or more is even more reassuring—and four decades of experience sets the gold standard for quality and expertise.
3. R&D, Quality Control, Certifications, and Compliance
Ideally, your list of potential supplement manufacturers in the USA should include companies that invest in thorough research and development when formulating products for their clients. This directly affects the quality of your supplement. Since the quality of these formulations impacts the health of your customers, it’s wise to do your due diligence.
While virtually all manufacturers will claim to follow FDA guidelines, such claims do not guarantee adherence to GMPs (good manufacturing practices. True assurance comes from GMP certification, which is awarded after a manufacturing facility has been audited for GMPs by a credible third-party agency. NSF GMP certification is among the best GMP certifications and should be the minimum certification expected.
Other valuable certifications include NSF Certified for Sport, which offers added assurance regarding supplement safety for the dietary supplement industry and consumers. Additionally, certifications like Kosher, Halal, and certified organic products provide an extra layer of credibility, allowing you to meet a wide range of consumer preferences and demonstrate a commitment to quality and ethical standards.
4. Manufacturing Turnaround Times
It’s important to have transparency on lead times before you sign a contract with a supplement manufacturer. Different manufacturers offer different manufacturing lead times. Find one that best suits your timelines, so you’re not caught off guard after placing an order. Many manufacturers advertise lead times as fast as 4 weeks. This is an unrealistic turnaround time, and it’s best to pay extra attention to where the manufacturer is cutting corners to deliver your products that fast. Bringing a low-quality product to the market can harm your business and customers.
5. How Flexible is the Supplement Manufacturer?
When evaluating contract supplement manufacturers, it’s important to inquire about the range of products they can produce and the formats they specialize in. For instance, if you plan to offer fast-melt tablets, ensure your manufacturer has experience with this specific product type. If they lack this expertise, look for a company with a proven track record in manufacturing fast-melt tablets that can meet your needs. You don’t want your project to serve as a trial run for a manufacturer; instead, choose one with the confidence and experience to deliver exactly what you require.
Additionally, it’s essential to partner with a flexible supplement manufacturer that can easily adapt to changes in your product, packaging, or delivery requirements. Whether it’s formulation adjustments, a decision to switch bottle types, or working with different shipping companies, confirm your manufacturer is agile enough to accommodate these changes smoothly and efficiently.
6. Planning for Long-Term Supplement Manufacturing Success
As your business grows and you get more orders, you’ll need to ensure your supplement manufacturer can keep up and scale with you. To figure this out, here are some questions you can ask:
- Raw Materials: How much purchasing power do they have & approximately how much do they keep on hand at any given time?
- Space: How much room do they currently operate in? Is there an opportunity for them to expand their current facilities or do they have plans to build or acquire additional space?
- Quality Control: How good are they at ensuring your products meet quality and safety standards? Do they possess expertise in manufacturing and getting products registered in foreign countries?
- Vertical Integration: Do they do everything themselves, like making supplements, designing labels, and packaging? Or do they hire other companies for some of these tasks?
- Formulation Services: The quality and purity of ingredients, bioavailability, and clinically approved dosages are essential factors that impact a supplement’s success. Many manufacturers offer research-backed formulation services that save you time and effort. Can they work with you every step of the way, from concept ideation to production?
- Scaling Production: If your product is experiencing strong sales, you may need to scale up production quickly to meet growing demand. However, not all manufacturers have the capacity to ramp up production on short notice or within an acceptable time frame. Before choosing a supplement manufacturer, ask: Can they scale production efficiently and promptly to accommodate your needs as your business grows? Ensuring your manufacturer has the necessary resources and flexibility to handle increased volume is crucial for maintaining product availability and capitalizing on market demand.
- Seasonal Demand: Seasonal demand fluctuations are common, with products like weight loss support supplements seeing spikes in sales during January and just before the summer months. It’s important to assess whether your supplement manufacturer can accommodate these seasonal surges. Can they adjust production schedules, manage increased volumes, and ensure timely delivery during peak demand periods? Ensuring your manufacturer is equipped to handle such fluctuations will help maintain consistent product availability and support your business’s growth during high-demand seasons.
You should explore other options if your supplement manufacturer can’t thoroughly answer these questions. Scaling up your production isn’t just about working with a company that uses state-of-the-art equipment to manufacture supplements. Making a mistake here can slow down your ability to manufacture and deliver products, which can upset your customers, retailers, and distribution partners.
7. Confidentiality and Protecting Your Custom Formulations
When you’ve invested significant effort into developing the ideal supplement concept to meet your brand and customer needs, safeguarding your intellectual property is crucial. Ensure your supplement manufacturing partner maintains strict confidentiality, particularly regarding proprietary formulations. At the very least, implement non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to protect your sensitive business information and formulas. Have an in-depth conversation with your manufacturer to understand their confidentiality measures and confirm they have robust security protocols to safeguard your intellectual property throughout production.
8. Cheaper Isn’t Always Better
While you may be tempted to choose a supplement manufacturer based on low price estimates, it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for in the supplement industry. Prioritizing cost over quality can introduce significant risks. Instead, compare the services offered, including quality control, customization, and expertise. Striking the right balance between cost considerations and the long-term benefits of working with a trusted, experienced manufacturer is crucial. Remember, supplement manufacturing is a long-term investment—focus on the bigger picture and avoid decisions that could ultimately harm your business and customers.
9. Minimum Order Requirements and Flexibility
You must understand how a manufacturer’s minimum order requirements will impact your budget, inventory management, and product testing. While it may be appealing to work with a manufacturer that offers extremely low order quantities, those that do often have less experience and capabilities. You don’t want to trade quality for low order quantities. At the same time, the order quantities need to fall within a reasonable range.
10. Explore Different Fulfillment Plans
Based on your budget and business plan, talk to potential supplement manufacturers about their fulfillment options. Ensure you understand whether they can fulfill large orders and manage your inventory.
For example, you don’t want to order a quantity that reflects the amount of product you expect to sell in two years, as your product may become outdated too quickly. Choose a supplement manufacturing partner who can accommodate your production needs, whether you’re testing a new product or scaling your business. Be sure to ask manufacturers for clear policies regarding order quantities to avoid surprises.
What Red Flags Should You Watch Out for When Choosing a Supplement Manufacturer?
Finding the best supplement supplier can be a daunting task. Here’s a list of red flags to watch out for before you agree to work with them.
Unrealistic Promises
Avoid manufacturers that make lofty claims about production timelines that seem too good to be true. Exercise caution when presented with exceptionally low costs. In such cases, manufacturers typically cut corners on quality, ingredients, certifications, and other important factors that can affect your product, business, and customers.
Lack of Transparency
Manufacturers who refuse to or are reluctant to share sufficient details about their processes are usually guilty of hiding something they don’t want to reveal to potential customers. Always ensure clear communication from the get-go and steer away from manufacturers who seem fishy.
Inadequate Quality Control
Avoid supplement manufacturers who do not possess the required quality control certifications or have a history of product recalls. This means the manufacturer is not fully committed to formulating a clean and safe supplement.
Limited Flexibility
Reputable supplement manufacturers are usually adaptable and happy to customize formulations based on your business goals. Be wary of manufacturers who are rigid in their ways and refuse to comply with standard formulation options.
Lack of Experience
Possessing the right skillset can make or break your product. Partner with manufacturers with a proven track record and references who back their claim of producing high-quality supplements. This reduces the risk of production delays and errors, subpar quality, and other rookie mistakes.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturing Partner
Collaborating with a reputable, well-established supplement manufacturer is essential. Such manufacturers can adapt to ever-evolving market trends, including changes in dosage forms and delivery technologies while maintaining strict compliance standards.
Vitaquest International is a prime illustration of this expertise, backed by over 45 years of experience and acknowledged as a leader in the supplement manufacturing industry. Our reputation is fortified by a track record of in-house production for capsules, powders, and tablets, marked by an unblemished history of zero product recalls. Vitaquest remains the preferred choice for brands in search of a manufacturer committed to consistently utilizing high-quality raw materials and ingredients, coupled with state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities.
How Can Vitaquest Help You Manufacture a High-quality Supplement?
Vitaquest is a contract development and manufacturing organization that has provided supplement brands with exceptional supplement research and development, manufacturing, packaging design, and fulfillment solutions for over 45 years.
In addition to these services, Vitaquest specializes in agglomeration, with a dedicated, state-of-the-art facility for this process. Agglomeration involves transforming fine powders into larger granules, improving handling, flow, and mixability into solution.
Whether you’re a newcomer to the industry or aiming to diversify your product range, Vitaquest possesses the expertise, cutting-edge facilities, and solutions needed to swiftly and effectively turn your pre- and probiotic supplement concepts into reality. Vitaquest offers a variety of dosage forms, including capsules, tablets, chewable tablets, oral disintegrating tablets (OTD), powders, and its proprietary QFizz™ effervescent technology. Furthermore, you’ll receive an exceptional level of customer support.
Vitaquest also has expertise in domestic and international regulatory standards, and sustainability practices. Sourcing sustainable ingredients and using eco-friendly manufacturing processes can enhance brand appeal. Our FDA cGMP compliance – as well as third-party GMP certification from NSF, USP, and others – assures both brand owners and consumers that we meet industry regulations and standards. Likewise, our ability to offer Kosher, Halal, certified organic products, and FSSC 22000 Global Food Safety certification are indicative of Vitaquest’s dedication to manufacturing excellence.
To discover how Vitaquest can help you start or expand your dietary supplement business, call 800-526-9095 to speak to one of our knowledgeable sales executives or request a competitive nutraceutical manufacturing price quote.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Find a Supplement Manufacturer:
Q: What Certifications Should a Supplement Manufacturer Have?
At a minimum, a supplement manufacturer should have GMP certification, preferably NSF GMP certification, which is among the most reputable. Additional certifications to consider include NSF Certified for Sport, Kosher, Halal, and certified organic, depending on your target market and product requirements. Although less common, FSSC 22000 Food Safety System Certification is highly desirable, as it demonstrates a commitment to the highest food safety and quality standards.
Q: What Should I Do if My Supplement Manufacturer Doesn’t Meet My Quality Expectations?
Don’t work with them! There are many other supplement manufacturers from which to choose. If you want a good custom supplement manufacturer, look for one with extensive experience, and with quality certifications such as NSF GMP certified, NSF Certified for Sport, Kosher, Halal, and certified organic. The FSSC 22000 Food Safety System Certification is a plus.
Q: Can I Find a Supplement Manufacturer for Small Batch Production?
Yes, but be careful working with a supplement manufacturer that offers a very low minimum order quantity (MOQ). If it’s too low, that may indicate the manufacturer is inexperienced—and you don’t want to trade off quality for a low MOQ.
Q: What are the Risks of Choosing a Low-cost Supplement Manufacturer?
The major risk is that low-cost supplement manufacturers are low-cost for a reason. More often than not, this is due to cutting corners and compromising quality. You don’t want to sacrifice quality for cost. Consumers won’t purchase a low-quality product a second time.
Q: How Can I Ensure the Protection of My Supplement Formulations?
First, choose a reputable supplement manufacturer that prioritizes confidentiality and is unlikely to share your proprietary formulation with other brands. Second, you can implement a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to provide another layer of legal protection for your intellectual property.
