Services
Product Development
INNOVATION:
New Product Concepts: Ideas that meet objectives from category disruptors to market-share stealers.
Benchtop Samples: Ideas evolve and come to life.
Lab Capabilities: Fully equipped for blending, chopping, tenderizing, marinating, forming, coating, cooking, freezing and more.
DEVELOPMENT:
Formulations: A comprehensive approach with fine-tuning as needed to ensure smooth transition to full plant production.
Specifications: Every detail matters, every ingredient is unique. Our specifications help you scale up successfully.
Flavor Profiles: We achieve sought-after deliciousness that is feasible and supports profitability.
Co-packer Selection: Relationships and technical knowledge that open doors and facilitate strong partnerships needed for commercialization.
Ingredient Selection: From the conventional to organics, we find what every product needs, while balancing supply, cost, and functionality.
Equipment and Utilization: Whether it’s spec’ing new equipment or optimizing what’s existing, we develop processing specs that fit—functionally and fiscally.
Production Runs: On-site visits for test and full production runs to make sure our formulations translate correctly.
Cost Analysis: We work up a base pro forma that clients can hone as they source and scale up.
QUALITY:
Assurance:
Safety: We guide clients through plant safety requirements and help test and problem-solve at the product level to meet shelf-life objectives.
Ongoing Improvement and Optimization: We look at all angles, navigating the way to better efficiency, performance, and profitability.
Branding & Strategy
TRENDS & INSIGHTS:
Trends: We track what’s booming and what’s emerging, and provide recommendations and reports as needed.
Concept Testing: We utilize a reliable, predictive tool for measuring consumer liking and purchase intent. Or implement a less costly DIY alternative.
Product Positioning: We translate the most compelling benefits into effective positioning platforms that differentiate products and guide product development, selling and marketing.
BRANDING:
Brand Strategy: Product development should always be in lock step with brand vision. We have been assessing brand strengths and opportunities for decades.
Brand Identity: Our team creates strong brands and imagery-from brand name to logo to graphic standards-that build brand perceptions and pique consumer interest in new products.
Product Naming: It’s important to know when to follow category norms and when to create curiosity. We have experience in both kinds of naming.
MARKETING:
Market and Category Analysis: Using syndicated data and our own internet-based research we validate opportunities and pinpoint promising market segments.
Market Research: Consumer feedback—whether A&U, in-home use tests (IHUT), central location testing (CLT) or sensory—all help shape products, in development and in market launch.
Selling Messages: We write trend- and insight-driven stories that highlight product differentiators, and weave them into touchpoints like sales presentations, brochures, web site content and press releases directed at both buyer and consumer audiences.
Ad and Sales Materials: Our creative team develops effective ads and sales materials, distilling the selling message in impactful creative execution.
Consumer Experience
ON-SHELF:
Package Graphics: From design chops to understanding labeling regulations, we create engaging package graphics that act like mini billboards.
Package Messaging: Consumers are highly motivated to read label content such as claims and nutrition facts, so we craft messaging that drives affinity and succinctly informs.
Dietary Guidelines: As consumers embrace various, trending diets to control their wellness, our expertise helps deliver on-target products and the right package claims.
AT HOME:
Cooking Instructions: Our culinary team develops simple steps for the microwave, skillet, oven, instant pot and air fryer.
Product Usage: We create usage ideas and recipe suggestions that are easy to follow and will engage consumers. Our culinary team is bursting with ideas.