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

01

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.

02

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.

03

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.

04

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.

05

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

Startup Brands

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
Emerging Brands

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
Established Brands

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
Extension Program — When You Need More Than Matching

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.

Private Labeling

Want Your Own Label?

Private labeling lets you put your brand on products from established manufacturers.

Explore Private Labeling

CPG Manufacturing

Build Your Own Facility?

Outgrowing co-packing? Design and build your own manufacturing facility.

Explore CPG Manufacturing

Pilot Plants

Need a Trial Run?

Not sure about full production? Pilot plants let you test at small scale first.

Explore Pilot Plants

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.