Beginning a supplement company can be thrilling, but one of the most challenging hurdles for startup companies is having to deal with inventory and manufacturing obligations. If you are still in the testing stage, this can be daunting and feel like a big risk, as most large manufacturers need you to place an order of thousands of pieces at the start. And this is where a Low MOQ supplement manufacturer can be of help. MOQ is short for Minimum Order Quantity, and a “low MOQ” means that you can work with that manufacturer to produce small quantities—sometimes as low as 100 or 500 pieces. This method is less financially risky for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and plus, allows you to test a product idea before committing to large scale production.
MOQ supplement manufacturers work with growing brands and are more flexible:
Whereas other types of manufacturers typically work with established brands manufacturing over 10k+ bottles, low MOQ supplement manufacturers work with growing brands and are more flexible. They allow you to make small batches, experiment with packaging, and help you get to market quickly without having to make large up-front investments. Because the demand for health and wellness products continues to grow each year, this model has paved the way for many small brands who otherwise might not have a space on the shelf.
Why Choose a Low MOQ Manufacturer?
One important advantage of a low MOQ supplement manufacturer is they help you get started. The first is that it lowers financial risk. It’s always hard to know how the market will react when you’re introducing something new. Low volume production runs allow you to “test the waters” get and listen to customer feedback and make adjustments before spending a lot of money.
Second, it is more flexible. Lower MOQs also support manufacturers who are likely to offer opportunities for custom formulas, packaging, and certifications like organic, vegan, or gluten-free. This can be especially important if you’re looking to differentiate yourself in a crowded market from other supplements by having your appeal to specific diets or niche markets.
Increased speed to market is another. It also usually takes less lead time to produce in small batches so you can react to trends quicker.
Alternatively, if you see the demand for a particular ingredient rise such as ashwagandha, collagen or probiotics you can develop a product within weeks instead of months.
You do pay a higher price for each unit, but that’s usually a good compromise due to the flexibility and much lower cost of entry.
Finding the Right Manufacturer:
But, when searching for a low MOQ manufacturer, quality and compliance should be a key focus. Buying from a supplier who has strict manufacturing practices, like GMP, is FDA registered (filling this out is applicable only for US market), and provides 3rd party lab tests to confirm safety and accuracy of their products is a must.
Transparency is also essential. A good manufacturer will be transparent about where and how they manufacture their products and their COAs. They should be willing to send prototypes or small sample production runs so you can check product quality before committing to a full order.
Most of these manufacturers offer value-added services such as private labeling, custom packaging, and regulatory support. It can save you time and investment, particularly if you are doing compliance for the first time and are brand new to the supplement industry. For instance, a partner such as Handian provides end-to-end support for small businesses from formulation to packaging so for you it would be easier just to focus on branding and selling.
Steps to Get Started:
Start with a clear vision of your product. Determine if you will use stock formulations to expedite production or if you will formulate a unique to your brand product. Once you have an idea of what you want, contact a few low MOQ suppliers for quotes. Do not be shy about your projected order size, setup fees, packaging, lead time, etc.
Once you have eliminated some options, request samples to assess quality, taste and packaging. This is important because you want to make sure your product is consistent with your expectations and your customer’s expectations. After you are happy, test it with a small order and launch your product to receive feedback. From there you can iterate on your product and get ready to scale when needed.
Challenges and Considerations:
In addition to the challenges in working with a low MOQ manufacturer,
There are advantages as well.
position your product:
- The primary concern is cost, as making smaller batches typically means higher costs per unit. In order to protect your profit margin, you should position your product as premium and price it so.
scalability.
- A second point is scalability. Many manufacturers cannot accommodate volume as you grow. You want to pick a partner that has the possibility to grow with you so that you do not have to change suppliers down the line, which is always expensive and time consuming.
quality control
- And lastly… have quality control on watch. Mistakes in formulation, labeling, or packaging, can ruin your brands reputation even in small runs. Always ask for documentation and do third-party testing if you want added peace of mind.
Final Thoughts:
A low MOQ supplement manufacturer allows small businesses and startups to realize their visions without having to make huge initial investments. It’s a streamlined approach for product testing, responding to market trends, and gaining foothold in the increasingly competitive health and wellness market.
Partnering with Handian gives you the expertise, flexibility and support to successfully introduce and grow your brand. Whether making a niche vegan supplement, building a collagen powder/protein du jour, or a multimineral/multivitamin supplement, beginning small lets you hone your methods and focus, develop a loyal customer base, and grow when it feels right.
Your supplement company can be successful despite the presence of larger companies in the space, with the right plan and a manufacturing partner you can trust..