PILOT & SMALL-BATCH MANUFACTURING

Use the first batch to learn before you scale

Pilot and small-batch manufacturing can help emerging brands test the market with a first batch — confirming process, packaging, quality and supply decisions before routine commercial production.

the pilot run

What a pilot should prove

01

Equipment fit

The approved formula can run on the intended equipment.

02

Sensory consistency

Critical physical and sensory attributes remain acceptable.

03

Pack Compatibility

Filling, counting, sealing and batch coding work with the selected pack.

04

Practical testing

Sampling and testing are practical.

05

Confirmed numbers

Yield, waste and unit costs are confirmed with actual production data.

06

Transfer to scale

The approved specification can transfer to a larger batch.

MINIMUM ORDER QUANTITY

What changes the MOQ

MOQ is influenced by dosage form, batch size, ingredient minimums, custom tooling, printed packaging, testing, changeover and cleaning requirements. We provide the applicable MOQ after reviewing the complete brief.

A blanket “500-unit MOQ” is not credible across every format.

LEAD TIME

What changes lead time

Lead time begins after formula, specification, artwork, commercial terms and required materials are confirmed. Custom ingredients, printed packaging, third-party testing and development rounds may extend the schedule.

Once these are confirmed, we agree a production window for your batch.

STAGE GATES

From brief to commercial scale

01

Brief complete

Key technical and commercial inputs are available.

02

Prototype approved

Formula, flavor, texture and serving direction are accepted.

03

Specification frozen

Materials, pack, criteria, tests and artwork are controlled.Formula, flavor, texture and serving direction are accepted.

04

Pilot released

Production and pack behavior are reviewed against the agreed plan.

05

Commercial scale

Forecast, purchase order, materials and production window are confirmed.

Ready to plan your pilot batch?

We review the complete brief and come back with the applicable MOQ and a production window.