#177 - Finding Your Co-Man: Lance Schwarzkopf of Copack

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff and Lance Schwarzkopf take us behind the scenes of launching a food or beverage product. They break down the complexities of working with contract manufacturers, or "co-mans," to transform a concept into a market-ready product. Daniel and Lance share essential steps for emerging brands, from developing and protecting proprietary formulas to sourcing quality ingredients and securing critical documentation, like a process authority letter.They provide practical advice on finding a co-man - from the pre-work and product development that happens prior, to finding out the options, to outreach strategy, building effective co-man relationships, managing ingredient and packaging orders, and setting up agreements to ensure smooth production flow. Emphasizing the importance of communication, strategic planning, and proactive relationship management, Daniel and Lance offer valuable insights into overcoming production challenges and avoiding common industry pitfalls.Tune in to learn how to streamline your path to a successful launch! If you're ready to take your product from concept to market, don’t miss this episode and be sure to subscribe for more expert advice!Check out their co-man list via their website copack.netTo inquire about their discounted search for Startup CPG community brands, email [email protected] and mention the Startup CPG rate!Listen in as they share about:Preparation Before Approaching Co-ManufacturersSourcing Industrial IngredientsThe Role of a Product Specification DocumentProcess Authority and Shelf Life StudiesFinding and Engaging a Co-ManufacturerConsiderations for Hiring a Co-Man Search PartnerChallenges in Co-Man CommunicationInitial Steps and PlanningContracts and AgreementsImportance of QA and BenchmarksProduction Day and Quality ControlWarehousing and DistributionResources and Support for BrandsEpisode Links:Website: http://copack.net/ Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanceschwarzkopf/ Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected] music by Super Fantastics