- How do I find a co-manufacturer for my CPG product?
- Use the database above. Start with a keyword for your product format (sauces, gummies, cold brew, shampoo bars), filter by state or country to keep freight short, then add dietary certifications if your channel needs them. Most founders end with a shortlist of five to ten facilities, then run discovery calls to confirm capacity, MOQs and equipment fit before asking for samples or quotes.
- What is the difference between a co-manufacturer and a co-packer?
- In practice the terms are used interchangeably: both produce your product under your brand from your formula. Some directories reserve co-packer for a facility that only fills pre-made bulk product into your packaging and co-manufacturer for one that formulates and produces from raw materials. This database includes both, so confirm scope with each facility; co-pack only means you need a formulation partner upstream.
- What MOQs should I expect?
- It varies widely by category. Food and beverage typically floors at 1,000 to 5,000 units per SKU per run, with some specialty co-mans starting at 500 and large plants requiring 10,000 or more. Supplements commonly need 5,000 to 25,000 capsule or bottle minimums. Beauty runs 1,000 to 3,000 units for established formulas and higher for custom work. Pet food is often 10,000 pounds or more per run. Lower MOQs mean a higher unit cost; that is the trade for early-stage brands.
- How long does it take to onboard a new co-manufacturer?
- From signed contract to first production run, expect 8 to 16 weeks for a standard SKU and longer with formulation work or custom packaging. The variable pieces are formula transfer and pilot runs (2 to 6 weeks), raw material procurement (2 to 8 weeks for non-stock ingredients), packaging procurement (4 to 12 weeks for custom labels, cartons or bottles) and the co-man's next open production slot. Plan retail launch dates around that; a slipped co-man is one of the most common scaling failures.
- Which states have the most CPG co-manufacturers?
- California (209), New York (102), Illinois (96), Texas (83), Pennsylvania (73), Florida (67), Wisconsin (66), New Jersey (66) and Minnesota (51) lead, and together those nine states hold about 49 percent of the database. International facilities are concentrated in Canada (136) with a smaller presence in the UK, UAE, Germany, Ireland and several other countries. A facility within 500 miles of your primary fulfillment center is a strong starting rule for freight.
- Which dietary certifications are tracked, and who requires them?
- Organic (351 facilities), kosher (311), gluten-free (120), vegan (32) and dairy-free (8). Whole Foods, Sprouts and most natural-channel retailers require facility-level certification rather than a packaging claim, and premium retailers such as Erewhon audit your co-man's compliance documents directly. Confirm the certification on the facility before signing; switching co-mans after launch over a missing cert is expensive.
- How do I evaluate a co-manufacturer's quality and reliability?
- Three signals: the most recent SQF, BRC or GFSI audit summary with any non-conformances; two or three client references at your stage and category that you actually call; and capacity utilization, since a plant at 50 to 70 percent has room for you and one at 90 percent may struggle with your ramp. Visit in person before signing anything meaningful. Photos and video tours miss what a walk-through catches.
- Is this database free?
- Yes, with no signup. Every facility is listed with public contact details: click through to the website or use the phone shown on the card. Access is not sold, filters are not gated and co-mans are not charged to be listed. If you run a facility and want to be added or updated, use the submission form below or email hello@3plhub.co.
