Are you looking to start your own cosmetic line or expand your current business? Then choosing the right manufacturer can be a complex and challenging task. There are several factors you have to consider before deciding the cosmetic manufacturer in India. Because of this, it can get pretty overwhelming for a beginner or even an established small business owner.
Do not panic, as in this blog, we are going to list the important factors that you should keep in mind while choosing a cosmetic manufacturer.
Formulation Ownership
If you require your product to be unique, many manufacturers have the option to produce a customer formulation based on your recipe. They can take care of everything, from sourcing the raw materials to the final manufacturing. But make sure to confirm if you can retain the ownership of the formulation.
Global Reach
If you are looking to sell your products in different regions, make sure to select a manufacturer that has additional facilities to fulfil the demand. Do ask them if they are using the same formulation in all facilities or not, because in some cases, a specific raw material might not be available in a region, and they would use an alternative.
Delivery Time
The delivery time can vary based on several factors, such as the production capacity of the manufacturer, availability of raw materials, certifications, order quantity, and packaging. Ensure that the delivery time matches your launch date.
Formulation Capabilities
There is a wide range of formats in the cosmetic industry, and each one is manufactured in a specific way. So, visit the manufacturing facility and make sure that they have all the necessary equipment and tools. Also, go through their previous clients to know if the manufacturer has prior experience in the specific cosmetic product that you want.
Manufacturing Capacity
Not all manufacturers are capable of producing large quantities. So you should check with the manufacturer about any problems that can occur, whether it could be in sourcing raw materials for the formulation or the manufacturing methods.
Ask them questions like,
- What equipment do you use?
- Who is in charge of the production?
- Are these raw materials easy to find, and if not, do you suggest some other alternative?
Necessary Certifications
Most manufacturers will help you get the necessary certifications required, like FDA, GMP, or COSMOS. These certificates will allow you to legally sell your product in various markets. Additionally, customers are more likely to buy your products if they are certified by regulators.
Budget
To decide on a budget, you would have to take into account all the factors that can impact the overall cost of the final product. These include the cost of raw materials, testing, certifications, packaging, and delivery. Ask the manufacturer of a BOM (bill of materials), which is a list of all the costs from start to end. This will help you set a suitable retail price in the end.
Conclusion
As you can see, finding a cosmetic manufacturer is not an easy task. It requires you to do thorough research before deciding on one.
