Whether you wish to buy select food items and have them packaged with your brand or you want to establish an entire line of private label foods, there are many options available. Clients always appreciate quality private label gifts, and polls show about 70% of Americans believe private label foods are as high in quality as national brands. In fact, one out of every five products sold in U.S. markets are private label.

When looking at private labeling manufacturers basics, there are several things to consider. First, you must know what sort of product or products you wish to sell. Second, you must decide whether or not you'll be using your own recipe or the manufacturer's recipe. Then, it's a good idea to break private labeling manufacturers down into basic categories. These can include:

1. Private label food manufacturers for sauces and condiments

2. Private label manufacturers for beverages such as water and wine

3. Private label producers for more general food needs

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Select a private label manufacturer for sauces and condiments

Perhaps you want a gourmet treat to present to your best clients. Or maybe you want items to package and label for your restaurant or food chain. Either way, sauces and condiments are a good choice for private label brands, and many options are available to you.

I recommend: Private Label Foods offers private label manufacturing services to chains and restaurants using their own recipes and custom-made labels. Products include dressings, marinades, salsas and sauces. Hot Shots Wholesale Hot Sauces offers their unique hot sauces for your private labeling needs.

Purchase private label brand beverages

Present your customers with high-end wine, beer or spirits packaged in your own private label. Or distribute bottled water with your own label. Both are excellent ways to promote your brand and your business.

I recommend: Winery Exchange creates private label products from high quality beer, spirits and wine. Bottle Your Brand sells private label drinks, including bottled water, wine and beer.

Use private labeling for miscellaneous other food products

If you want an entire line of private label foods, you may need to seek out a larger manufacturer who can offer you a wide variety of foods. Also, consider approaching some specialists individually; for example, buy private label rice products direct from a trusted rice manufacturer.

I recommend: FoodSwing sells a wide variety of private label food products and helps you perfect your own recipes. Riceland Foods offers long grain brown, long grain milled, long grain parboiled and medium grain milled rice in bulk private label packaging.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before entrusting your good name to a private label manufacturer, be sure to do a little research. Has the company ever had their food items recalled? Does the quality of their products meet your expectations?

Private labeling, or offering a product or service provided by another company under your company's brand, is a great way to market your retail business. Private label products help market your company and develop your reputation as a provider of goods and services of bargain value or high-end exclusivity.

Private label manufacturers help retail companies increase their presence and diversify their offerings. When choosing a private label manufacturer, it's best to consider the following:

1. The type of private label brand you're looking for.
2. The manufacturer's reputation in the industry.
3. The kind of products you want to sell as a private label brand.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose budget values, premium goods--or something in between

Before choosing your private label manufacturer, determine how you want to position your brand. Different private label manufacturers can help you offer lower-cost alternatives to name brands, high-quality premium choices or quality products that encourage customers to buy locally.

I recommend: Alibaba offers a global list of private label manufacturers.

Do a background check on your chosen private label manufacturer

It's important to know if your private label manufacturer, particularly a private label food manufacturer, has ever been involved in a recall or if the quality of its products has ever been questioned. Having to pull products off the shelves due to a safety concern is never good for business - and if you're small enough, this could potentially aid in the demise of your company.

I recommend: The Private Label Manufacturers Association can provide information about its members. You must be registered to search the site, so take the tour and then sign up.

Determine the types of products you want under your private label--and how many

The more your brand is out there, the more you'll be able to build your retail brand. Depending on the goal of your brand, it's important to choose products wisely. For example, if you want your company to be known for high-end beauty products, it's best to stick with skin care, perfume, hair care, and other similar product lines.

I recommend: Check out Private Label Magazine for the latest private label manufacturing industry news, as well as ideas for your brand.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Private label manufacturing options are available in a number of industries, not just food. Research your options, all the way from skin care lines to aspirin.

Whether you want to create holiday gifts for all of your clients or wish to give one unique gift to your very best client, private label manufacturers are your best resource. Not only are quality private label items more impressive than generic gifts, but they make you and your business more memorable.

There are several important steps to take when making the most of private labeling manufacturers and their products. These may be broken down into three basic categories:

1. Research which private label products your clients want and are allowed to receive.

2. Select quality private label brand items.

3. Deliver private label products with style.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check which private label products your clients may accept

Before spending time and money organizing private label products for clients, it's best to first check for any policies regarding gifts; some government agencies, for example, don't allow any employees to accept gifts at all, and many corporations limit the dollar amount of any gifts their employees receive. Once you determine the policy, try to choose a gift that corresponds with your client's personal interests. For example, if your client is a cigar aficionado, choose a selection of quality private label cigars.

I recommend: For a useful guide to choosing business gifts, from finding the perfect item to the etiquette of giving, read "Present Perfect: The Art of Corporate Gift Giving" at Motivation Network. Since many companies have price restrictions on gifts, buy a box of private label fine cigars with a generic "personalized" cigar band from Fletcher Cigar Company, and give out just one or two per client.

Choose quality private label manufacturer products

Don't shop price; cheap gifts--even when private labeled--reflect poorly on you and your business. A small gift of quality is far better than a bigger gift of questionable quality.

I recommend: Custom Wine Source are private label producers of wine from all over the world. The Reading Coffee Roasters provides gourmet private label coffee of many types.

Deliver your private label products memorably

Take a few extra steps to make your gift even more memorable. Add a hand written note on custom stationary and, if at all possible, hand deliver the gift, especially if it's private label food that may be perishable.

I recommend: FineStationary.com sells custom corporate correspondence cards ideal for the holidays or any day you are giving a private label gift. Astor Chocolate provides quality private label chocolates for all your corporate needs. Plus, they come beautifully presented in a variety of stylish packaging.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When giving private label products to your clients, be aware of any cultural differences that may apply. For example, in Japan, gifts given in fours mean death.