In the post-pandemic era when people are more conscious of the choices, they make for themselves to be healthier and more natural, it becomes a daunting task for contract manufacturers to make these expectations a reality. Contract manufacturers or Private Labels in cosmetics and personal care have seen a steady rise in demand in the past few years, particularly because of increased consumer awareness, and changing lifestyles, and with the increased participation of women in workplaces the demand for luxury cosmetics has also seen an uptick.
A contract manufacturer primarily provides a variety of core manufacturing and auxiliary functions to brands looking forward to focusing more on marketing and their core competencies and leaving the troubles of manufacturing with a contract manufacturer. But the job doesn’t end for a contract manufacturer only with core manufacturing, with brands getting more sensitive to consumer needs and the consumer shift towards more natural formulations, a contract manufacturer invests heavily into R&D capabilities, new ingredients, and innovative and sustainable packaging.
All these capabilities are the forte of Kapco International, a company established in 1980 at Parwanoo, Himachal Pradesh. Over the years this private label manufacturer nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas has invested heavily in research & development of not just ingredients but also the entire supply chain of cosmetic & personal care products. A team of dedicated, highly qualified, and experienced personnel is what makes Kapco International a leading contract manufacturer in India.
With various manufacturing plants in Himachal sprawling over almost 1,40,000 square feet fitted with numerous bulk reactors, automated filling & labeling lines, and state of art packaging machines. All these capabilities give Kapco an edge in developing formulations faster, with the latest ingredients, better packaging, and a shorter lead time to launch a product. "We have a dedicated formulation development team with many pioneering innovative products, the majority of which are new to India.
For our esteemed customers, we actively optimize our existing formulations and improve our processes on a continuous basis”, Varun Kapoor, the Director of Kapco International, further explained that the company exports a variety of goods to major markets including the United States, Europe, the UK, UAE, Russia, Thailand, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Egypt.
Unique Products & Services
Kapco International which is a GMP, ISO 22716, ISO 9001:2008 certified, and SEDEX audited company, has always had its eye on quality as a driving force.
Kapco has always sought to provide its customers with products that are assured of high quality, and this also led Kapco to focus more on green chemistry-based products which are free from sulfates, silicones, mineral oil, or parabens. Some of the products which they are already manufacturing using this method are Shampoos, Conditioners, Hair masks, Facial creams, Serums, and more. Kapco recently added a brand new line to manufacture color makeup cosmetics like lipsticks, eyeliners, kajal, mascara, compact & eye shadow, and more. Now, Kapco has its eye on enrolment in Ayurveda which would be completed in the next few months.
Complete Client Engagement Process
From understanding their specific needs to delivering the products, Kapco's client engagement is comprehensive. First, the brand communicates the need and the desired outcome of the product. This can be accomplished by sharing a brief about a standard, a benchmark, a global production process, or even their own unique concept. Based on this brief, Kapco's research and development team creates small sample batches and submits them to the brand. If the brand approves the sample, then the stability test is initiated. The company then creates 30 to 40 samples for community testing and shares them with the client. Since they have their own testing panels and evaluation methods, clients conduct their own analysis of samples.
When Kapco is given the approval, the samples are then sent to independent laboratories for further testing like safety & efficacy. After receiving approval, the Kapco team then conducts in-house packaging compatibility testing and tags the final product sample. For instance, a brand requests the production of a unique shampoo, which must be packaged in a plastic container. Kapco determines whether the shampoo and that particular plastic polymer are compatible, as well as whether the bottle will not leak. As soon as the brand, the labs, and everyone else gives Kapco the final approval, the manufacturing of the batch is initiated, and the brand then releases the product into the market.
However, the narrative continues even after they introduce the product. Consequently, the business also monitors client feedback and reviews. Thereafter, if required, Kapco can align the new adjustment with the prime formulation with minimal modifications.“We can achieve such exceptional products in such a short lead time because of our team. We are backed by a highly skilled team of professionals with immense expertise in their respective domains. Our team is segregated into various departments and works in close coordination with each other”, adds Varun.
At kapco, we're all about delivering top-notch products that meet & exceed our customers' expectations. We take pride in sourcing only the best materials & utilizing the latest technologies to ensure our products are of the highest quality possible
Resolving Challenges from End-to-end
With the rise of India’s growth story, the manufacturing industry is gearing itself up to meet the challenge, as its consumer market is growing the demand for more distinct and cutting-edge products is increasing. For any contract manufacturer, it is an absolute must to stay in touch with shifting consumer preferences and trends, a challenge that Kapco is tackling head on, under the vision of Varun Kapoor, Kapco is establishing a state-of-the-art R&D and Innovation Center in Mumbai, which will include a full-fledged development laboratory for personal care, home care, and color cosmetics. In addition, the company is developing an evaluation center where brands can come to have their products formulated and even test them in real-world settings.
Tackling Supply Chain
To meet customer demand, businesses must procure premium ingredients and packaging materials, manage their inventory, and ensure timely delivery. This can be extremely complex. Kapco has an entire team dedicated to packaging and raw material procurement to ensure that all inputs are aligned on time. In addition, the cosmetics industry is heavily governed by numerous laws and regulations, and ensuring compliance with these regulations can be difficult, particularly for small businesses and startups with limited resources.
Kapco assists all its clients in adhering to regulatory standards and the most recent regulatory guidelines. Lastly, achieving customer retention and loyalty. It can be difficult to create products and experiences that consistently exceed customer expectations and to actively engage customers to establish long-lasting relationships. For the long-term success of any cosmetics or manufacturing company, Kapco aids in building customer loyalty and customer retention.
Future Roadmap
With the advent of an R&D center in Mumbai, Kapco has made it clear that they are in for a challenge, under the visionary leadership of eminent founders and a dedicated team, Kapco is working on a mission to consistently elevate the organization. Keeping this in mind, the company aspires to be among the top contract manufacturers in the skin care, hair care, and nutraceutical industry.
.jpg "Artificial Intelligence to Revolutionize Advanced Chip Design")
