By Hsu Yuan-Chang, General Manager

In today's society, pets have become important members of many families. As lifestyles change and living standards improve, more and more people are paying attention to pet health. Pet owners go to great lengths to ensure their beloved pets grow up healthy and happy. With 2.22 million registered dogs and cats in Taiwan, a 12% annual increase, the sales in the pet-related industry have grown from 26.6 billion NTD to 38.7 billion NTD, a 46% increase over the past four years. This huge market opportunity has attracted numerous entrepreneurs to the pet health market, leading to the success of many new brands in the health products sector.

As the pet health product market continues to grow rapidly, you might be considering creating your own health product brand. However, before you begin, selecting the right contract manufacturer is a crucial step to building a successful brand. Government regulations for pet health product ingredients and efficacy are stringent, and with many contract manufacturers to choose from, finding the right one is essential. When searching for a manufacturer, it is important to select a partner with extensive experience and expertise. They can not only offer valuable advice but also optimize processes, effectively reducing production costs. This article will guide you in choosing the right contract manufacturer for your pet health products, laying the foundation for your brand's success.

 I. Key Concepts to Understand Before Choosing a Contract Manufacturer

A good health product manufacturer is not just a supplier; they are your partner in expanding your pet business. They can make your product more competitive, improve yield rates, satisfy consumers, and ensure timely delivery. Conversely, choosing a poor supplier can lead to increased friction, communication delays, and time costs, not to mention poor product quality, which can result in customer complaints and increased returns and exchanges. In extreme cases, choosing a subpar ODM/OEM manufacturer could lead to entire batches of defective products being scrapped, costing you tens or even hundreds of thousands of NTD. Additionally, delayed deliveries can postpone new product launches or entire project timelines, leading to breach of contract and losses. These issues can result in significant company losses, so it's important not to consider "price" as the only or highest criterion when evaluating suppliers.

II. Four Key Indicators for Evaluating Suppliers

Choosing the right contract manufacturer is crucial because they will be responsible for everything from selecting the formula to producing your product. Here are some important factors to consider:

 1. Do They Have Their Own Factory or Do They Outsource?

The first thing to verify when looking for a pet health product manufacturer is whether the company owns its factory. Some companies that offer contract manufacturing services do not have their own factories and instead outsource production. This can lead to higher costs and less control over the manufacturing process. Manufacturers with their own factories are more familiar with the production process from start to finish, making the process smoother. 

To confirm whether a potential partner owns its factory, you can search the Ministry of Economic Affairs' factory inquiry system. Since these products are meant for pets, the production environment must not be taken lightly. Requesting a factory visit during the initial stages is a good idea. A visit will allow you to directly understand the manufacturing process and product quality, giving you greater confidence in entrusting your product to the manufacturer. We also welcome customers to visit our factory, and you can schedule a visit through the link below.

 2. Production Capacity

Understanding the production capacity and capabilities of a pet health product manufacturer is another key evaluation criterion. Production capacity refers to the number of products a manufacturer can produce, while production capabilities refer to the ability to meet production demands within a given time frame.

These two factors directly affect whether the manufacturer can deliver on time. If your product suddenly becomes a hit, it becomes especially important that the manufacturer can efficiently handle orders and ensure timely supply. An efficient manufacturer should be flexible enough to handle sudden increases in demand, have a well-organized production schedule, and maintain a stable supply chain to minimize waste and maximize production capacity.

Additionally, check whether the manufacturer offers a complete production line. A manufacturer that offers multiple dosage forms can save you the trouble of communicating with multiple suppliers. Currently, the three most common pet health product dosage forms are:

- Capsules:  Some products are developed in capsule form due to the palatability of certain raw materials. If a pet does not like swallowing capsules, the contents can be mixed with food or treats.
- Tablets:  Tablets are convenient as they can be made in different sizes. However, during the tablet manufacturing process, excipients must be added to improve product stability.
- Powder Packs:  This is the most common dosage form in the market. The main advantage is the ease of controlling intake, allowing for adjustments in feeding amounts and ensuring quick absorption. We have granulation technology highly praised within the industry, along with high-efficiency packaging machines and various aluminum bag specifications.

Furthermore, regular maintenance and updating of equipment are crucial for ensuring the efficient production of pet health products. A reliable manufacturer should have a professional technical team to maintain equipment, quickly repair any mechanical failures, and reduce the risk of production interruptions. Our company has a dedicated team of skilled technicians to ensure smooth operations.

3. Quality Control

As products intended for pet consumption, quality and safety directly impact their health. High-quality pet health manufacturers implement strict quality control procedures to ensure that their products meet all relevant regulations and standards.

Brand owners should have a basic understanding of product quality or find a trustworthy supplier. It’s crucial to know what constitutes good and bad quality. For instance, when it comes to buildings, we may not know the quality of materials like rebar and concrete, but we rely on national standards. However, if inferior materials are used without proper testing, how can you judge the quality? Is the supplier's claim of superior quality reliable? For pet health product manufacturers, here are four important criteria:

- Factory Certification:  Having the necessary certifications means that the manufacturer's quality management system has been audited and meets international standards. These certifications usually require manufacturers to have well-established quality management systems and production facilities, ensuring that every detail of the production process is standardized. Our company is certified with HACCP and ISO22000 for food safety.
  
- High-Quality and Traceable Raw Materials:  The ingredients used in health products directly affect product quality and safety. Therefore, regulations on ingredient selection in health product manufacturing are important, including pesticide residues, plasticizers, heavy metals, moisture content, microorganisms, and COA certificates. Only manufacturers with rigorous quality control can guarantee the safety and quality of the products.

- Strict Production Control and Quality Testing:  An excellent manufacturer will establish strict control procedures, including raw material testing, production line management, and product testing, to ensure product consistency and quality. Our factory implements eight strict testing procedures, closely monitoring every stage of production. We also conduct internal quality control tests, including microbiological testing, stability testing, and other necessary chemical and physical tests. These capabilities are crucial for ensuring the quality and safety of pet health products. In this era of instant information dissemination, any product issue could trigger a PR crisis. Product quality is the foundation of a brand; if the foundation is unstable, a long-term business could collapse overnight.

- High and Stable Product Yield: High-quality products often come with higher costs. Besides evaluating production capacity, it’s also important to assess the product yield. A high defect rate can significantly impact costs and brand reputation. Ensure that the manufacturer has strict quality control standards and procedures, including proper raw material selection, production process control, and adherence to international standards and regulations.

 4. Product Development Capability

The pet health market is becoming increasingly crowded, with product types and functions facing serious homogenization. Without a core formula and differentiated problem-solving solutions, pet health brands may find themselves in a price war with other similar products. Mastering core technology is key to long-term product success, making this the most crucial point when choosing a manufacturer.

“Can the manufacturer provide customized services to meet client product requirements and market positioning?”

This question reflects whether the manufacturer is innovative, progressive, and unique, ensuring that your products stand out in the market. A manufacturer with strong R&D capabilities will directly impact your brand's success. Clients often hope their manufacturer can customize products according to their needs, offering differentiated solutions. The initial development process requires continuous communication and adjustments to formula details. An experienced manufacturer will consider the brand owner's perspective during the planning phase, providing the best formula design suggestions.

For example, with the increasing demand for natural and additive-free products, our R&D team proactively suggests using all-natural, additive-free ingredients, which could make it easier for clients to apply for certifications like A.A. and increase product competitiveness.

Our nutritionists and R&D team are well-versed in the principles and applications of nutrients and functional ingredients. We select the most suitable health food ingredients to design high-quality formulas that address pet needs and solve pain points, establishing long-term and stable partnerships with our clients. Besides the ability to customize formulas, we also organize new product development meetings, bringing together marketing, sales, and other personnel to combine market trends with client needs, developing marketable and palatable generic products. These offerings provide a series of pet health products for new brands or clients wanting to test the market quickly.

 5. Value-Added Service Support

A trustworthy pet health product manufacturer not only meets client demands in production technology but also excels in after-sales support and services. The manufacturer should provide professional technical support and consulting services to help solve production issues and offer innovative solutions. To build a strong brand, you need more than "standard" product quality; you also need a "diverse empowerment" strategy, including rich "experience," unique "patented" ingredient selection, and a customer-centric service philosophy.

 III. Conclusion

Choosing the right contract manufacturer for health products is a critical decision that can directly impact your product quality and business

 success. When making your choice, consider factors such as manufacturing experience, R&D capabilities, and production capacity, and conduct thorough evaluations and investigations. If you're looking for a reliable pet health product manufacturer, we welcome you to contact us. We are committed to creating the highest quality pet health products for you and helping you establish a successful brand.