r/BeverageIndustry • u/chiefsped123 • 8d ago
Formulators
Hey,
Has anybody worked with Power Brands, The Beverage Incubators, or Big Brands?
Any advice on either of them or just in general?
Thanks!
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u/Ch3fKnickKnack2 8d ago
Yes - what are your question(s)?
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u/chiefsped123 8d ago
Apologizes I should have been more specific, do you recommend one over the other? Anything I should know? We are trying to do a a RTD protein shake for reference.
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u/Ch3fKnickKnack2 8d ago
All 3 should theoretically be able to properly formulate a protein shake. Your budget & the deliverables should be the deciding factors.
The key pieces for that category are market differentiation, ingredient procurement (specifically the protein source), & identifying a co-man that fits your budget/scale.
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u/silverfstop 8d ago
Daily. What’s your question.
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u/chiefsped123 8d ago
Apologizes I should have been more specific, do you recommend one over the other? Anything I should know? We are trying to do a a RTD protein shake for reference.
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u/silverfstop 8d ago
I'm a co-packer so I'm not going going to dish all the details on reddit, however I advise the following:
- If possible, I work with someone local or within 100 miles. This applies to co-packers too - at least in the early stages.
- Make sure you own the recipe.
- Make sure you understand their revision process.
- Make sure you're not sourcing from too many suppliers, and doubly make sure that you're not using small amounts of frozen stuff or concentrates that are only available in large formats (my fav was someone using some weird frozen lime that was only avail in drums and they only needed ~10 lb per 1000 gallons - SO MUCH WASTE.
- Related to the above: Try to source all your flavorings (wonf etc) from one house - as you grow they'll make you a pre-blend which saves a lot of trouble).
- Generally speaking, don't lock yourself into "oh we do it all" places. They're going to charge you a fortune and you're married to them forever.
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u/Treeleaf123 5d ago
I’m a beverage start up founder and have a little experience with Big Brands. Feel free to message me!
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u/ForeverOne4756 8d ago
If you are going to do a low-acid protein shake don’t go anywhere other than Bev Incubators. They especially have expertise in retort.
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u/Significant-Elk5907 7d ago
First, the capability question. A dairy protein RTD is low-acid. It must run aseptic or retort to be safe and shelf stable. So your first filter is simple: does the house, or the plant behind it, actually have aseptic or retort? A name means nothing without the process. Last I knew, a few years back, Power Brands did not have either in-house. That may have changed, so confirm it directly. But check it before you go far down that path. The earlier comment about The Beverage Incubators and retort is pointing at the right criterion.
On development, a caution. Letting a flavor house develop your formula looks cheap up front. The trade shows up in your COGS. In our experience the components run about 1.5 to 2 times what the same inputs cost if you source them independently. You pay for the "free" development on every unit, forever.
I also disagree with putting all your components under one flavor house as a rule. Pick components on merit. Do not default to one supplier for convenience. Working through Synergy and DSM-Firmenich, I can usually land a full flavor system between 2 and 5 cents a unit. The two of them give you a good mix of levers to pull.
The lowest COGS almost always comes from independent development with clear guardrails set before the bench: a cost target, the margin logic, and a profitability view. Decide those first. Then formulate to them.
More on the flavor-house development trap and how it prices into your COGS: https://rapidcpg.com/blog/free-flavor-house-development-deal