A checklist of what is needed to be successful
As more breweries and distilleries look to diversify their production lines, co-manufacturing (i.e., producing beverages for other brands or expanding into new beverage categories) has become a promising growth strategy. But before you commit valuable tank space or invest in new equipment, it’s essential to determine whether co-manufacturing is the right fit for your operation.
Here’s a practical checklist to help you evaluate readiness and set yourself up for success:
- Assess your capacity and capabilities
Do you have the tank space, packaging lines or production bandwidth to take on additional clients or product types without compromising your core business?
Review your current utilization and downtime.
Identify potential upgrades or modifications (e.g., filtration systems, blending tanks, canning lines).
Ensure your facility layout and scheduling can handle the complexity of multiple SKUs or brands.
- Know your compliance requirements
Co-manufacturing can blur regulatory lines between beverage categories, especially when producing non-alcoholic, hemp-infused or functional beverages.
Confirm you understand all applicable rules and regulations for co-packed or contract-produced beverages.
Verify labeling, ingredient and distribution compliance for each product type.
Consider working with consultants or legal advisors to manage evolving regulations.
- Evaluate your quality systems
Strong quality control is the backbone of co-manufacturing. You will need robust systems that can deliver repeatable, documented consistency across multiple clients.
Implement written SOPs, batch tracking and third-party testing protocols.
Standardize cleaning and sanitation processes between product runs.
Maintain Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for functional or hemp-derived ingredients.
- Clarify business and contract terms
Before signing on a partner, ensure both sides understand expectations and deliverables.
Develop a clear co-manufacturing agreement covering confidentiality, liability and quality assurance.
Outline pricing models (per case, per batch or per hour) and raw material ownership.
Define lead times, minimum order quantities and change order procedures.
- Align on brand fit and partnership goals
The best co-manufacturing relationships are strategic, not just transactional.
Choose clients or partners whose values, target markets and product quality align with yours.
Look for opportunities to collaborate on innovation, ingredient sourcing or sustainability.
Remember: every product you produce reflects on your brand reputation.
Co-manufacturing can open valuable new revenue streams for breweries and distilleries, but only if approached with a clear strategy, rigorous quality control and the right partnerships. Use this checklist as your starting point to evaluate whether your facility, team, and systems are ready to grow beyond your own label. Of course, if you have questions or want more information feel free to reach out to us at Volunteer Botanicals. We are happy to help guide you toward the best decision for your business.