For Brands
Find Your Perfect Co-Packer
Whether you're a startup launching your first product or an established brand scaling production — the CPA's RFQ system connects you with qualified, vetted contract manufacturers.
Submit an RFQ →The Process
How It Works
Submit Your RFQ
Complete the Contract Packaging Association's Request for Quote form at contractpackaging.org. Describe your product, volume, packaging, and requirements. The more detail you provide, the better your matches will be.
Automated Matching
The CPA system matches your RFQ against its member manufacturer database. Manufacturers are filtered by product category, volume capacity, certifications, geography, and available capabilities.
Receive Introductions
Matched manufacturers respond to your RFQ. You'll receive introductions from qualified co-packers who have confirmed capacity and capability to produce your product.
Evaluate and Qualify
Conduct facility audits, request samples and quotes. Compare manufacturers on capability, quality systems, MOQs, lead times, and cultural fit. Take your time here — this is your most important vendor relationship.
Execute and Launch
Sign your co-manufacturing agreement, run production trials, finalize packaging, and begin commercial production. If the CPA can't match you, we step in with our 40,000-manufacturer roster.
Preparation Guide
What to Prepare Before Contacting a Co-Packer
The more prepared you are, the better your co-packer matches will be — and the faster you'll move through qualification. Here's what manufacturers will want to know.
Product Specifications
- ✓Formula or recipe (or a description if proprietary)
- ✓Product category (food, beverage, supplement, personal care, etc.)
- ✓Current or target ingredient list
- ✓Key allergen and dietary claims (organic, gluten-free, kosher, vegan, etc.)
- ✓Shelf life requirements and storage conditions
Packaging Requirements
- ✓Container type (bottle, pouch, can, carton, jar, tube, etc.)
- ✓Container size(s) and fill weights
- ✓Retail-ready packaging specs (UPC, case pack, pallet config)
- ✓Label requirements — FDA, nutrition facts, etc.
- ✓Any club store, e-commerce, or specialty format needs
Volume and Timeline
- ✓Initial production volume (minimum order quantity target)
- ✓Projected 12-month volume
- ✓Target launch date or first ship date
- ✓Production frequency (once, monthly, quarterly, as-needed)
- ✓Geographic distribution target (regional, national, international)
Quality and Certifications
- ✓Required facility certifications (SQF, BRC, GFSI, AIB, etc.)
- ✓Organic certification requirements (USDA, CCOF, etc.)
- ✓Kosher or Halal certification needs
- ✓FDA registration requirements
- ✓Any third-party auditing requirements from your retail buyers
Programs
Programs for Every Stage
Just Getting Started
You have a recipe and a vision. Maybe you've been selling at farmers markets or direct-to-consumer. Now you want to scale. The CPA's RFQ system works for startups — many member manufacturers accept small initial runs.
- ✓ Low minimum order options available
- ✓ Co-packing guidance from our team
- ✓ Formulation scaling support
Growing and Scaling
You have proven product-market fit and are expanding distribution. You need a reliable co-packer who can grow with you — consistent quality, increasing volumes, and the flexibility to add SKUs.
- ✓ Matched to manufacturers with growth capacity
- ✓ Multi-co-packer strategy guidance
- ✓ Retailer spec and compliance support
Optimizing at Scale
You're doing volume and looking to optimize your co-packing strategy — reduce costs, add redundancy, qualify new manufacturers, or expand into new product categories.
- ✓ High-volume manufacturer matching
- ✓ Contract negotiation guidance
- ✓ Redundancy and risk mitigation planning
For brands that need more than just a manufacturer introduction — the Co-Packing Network's extension program provides end-to-end project management through the entire manufacturing setup process.
What the Extension Program Includes
- ✓ Direct access to our 40,000-manufacturer roster
- ✓ Manufacturer qualification and vetting support
- ✓ Production trial management
- ✓ Contract review guidance
- ✓ Quality and compliance support
- ✓ Packaging and labeling coordination
Best For
- → First-time brands who've never worked with a co-packer
- → Brands whose CPA RFQ didn't result in a match
- → Complex or unusual product categories
- → International manufacturers needed
- → Tight timelines requiring dedicated support
The 40,000 Guarantee: If the CPA's member network cannot match your specific requirements, we will work directly with you from our own roster of 40,000 contract manufacturers to find the right partner.
Beyond Co-Packing
Continue Your Journey
Co-packing is one path to market. Depending on where you are, these Alliance resources may be the right next step.
Start Finding Your Co-Packer Today
The CPA's RFQ is free to submit. The matching is automated. The manufacturers are vetted. There's no reason to wait.