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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – PRIVATE LABEL

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. What is private labeling?

Private labeling is the process of us as a manufacturer making products with your branding on them to sell to your clients and customers.

2. What is the Minimum Order Quantity?

Our MOQ is 500 units per SKU for traditional private labeling. If you need less than this, then please read on further about our Private Label-Ready program which will have lower MOQs with you needing to supply and apply the label.

3. What’s included in the price?

In general, our pricing will include everything. For example, a private label salt scrub price would include the jar, lid, seal, custom printed label, custom salt scrub, and assembly. The only thing that is not included in the cost is the shipping cost. If you let us know where the product will be shipped, we can quote this as well.

4. What are your payment terms?

Our current payment terms are: Orders that are less than $5000 will require full payment upfront when placing orders. Orders that are over $5000 will require a 50% deposit with the remaining balance due upon order completion.

5. Can I order formulas in bulk with no packaging?

Of course, we have a separate division that deals with bulk/wholesale products. We work with many private labelers, bulk end users, spas, hotels, and cruise lines who just need products in bulk with no packaging. No problem at all. Send us an email with your needs and we will let you know how we can assist.

6. How long has Midwest Sea Salt been private labeling?

We have been in business since 2005. Over the years we have grown to be one of the largest bath & body private labelers in The United States because of our commitment to our client’s success. We make great formulas and products so you can succeed thus furthering the growth and expansion of not only our company but yours as well.

7. What cost can I expect private labeling to start at?

This is a hard question to answer but in general private label projects on the low end start at around $2000 for 500 units. This will vary depending on what you need. Reach out and we can get a specific number based on your needs.

8. Do you manufacture private-label products that are in national chains?

Of course. We are one of the largest Bath & Body private labelers in The United States. We proudly manufacture products for brands selling in these national retailers: CVS, Walgreens, Macy's, Sephora, Saks 5Th Ave, GNC, Rite Aid, Kroger, Amazon, Vitamin Shoppe, 7/11, Whole Foods, Neiman Marcus, and many more.

9. What if I cannot meet the Minimum Order Quantity right now?

No worries at all. Everyone must start somewhere, and we have a new program just for you. Our “PRIVATE LABEL-READY” program is built just for you. Our Private Label-Ready program has minimums as low as 6 units per SKU and this is where we take our retail products (only products in bottles or jars) and send them to you unlabeled so you can design and apply your label and start building your brand. Once you are ready for us to take over, we can handle everything at that point. The product would use our retail formula and packaging, so you know you are getting a tried and tested formula that we currently sell to our retail clients. The difference between this program and the full Private Label program is that you cannot select the packaging or customize the formula. The product will come unlabeled and ready for you to label. We will insert a completed label into your packaging so you can see the label size we used and the details that we put on our label. In general, the MOQ is 6 units, and the cost is 50% of the retail cost listed on our website. (Shipping is an additional cost depending on where you are located.) This is a great way to get started and test the market. Email us for more specifics based on your needs.

10. How large is The Midwest Sea Salt Company and what are your capabilities?

This is a great question. We are a full-service custom manufacturer. Not only do we have a great production staff, but you will also be supported by 4 chemists, project managers, quality control engineers, and procurement sourcing experts. All of this is paired with 7 fully automated production lines. When it comes down to it, the people in our facility are the key to our success. We all care about each product that leaves our facility. We have grown so large because of word of mouth. We strive to be your best option for bath & body products. Regarding capabilities, we run a tight ship heavy with automation. On average, we complete and ship 32 million private label units a year with the capability to push that to 60 million with no additional capital expenditures.

11. Is private-label skincare profitable?

Absolutely. We work with brands that have grown from doing $100k a year in sales to over $20 million in sales. On average we will charge you between $4-$6 per unit with retail being between $15-$20 depending on your target market. So, after moving 10,000 units you would clear roughly 150k minus fees associated with selling your products such as Amazon fees or freight costs.

FORMULATIONS

1. How do I come up with a formula?

We make this process super simple. Give us as many details as you have about the ingredients you would like in your product. We will take this info and fill in any missing ingredients or details to come up with your ingredient deck. So, you can have the entire ingredient deck or just an idea of the product with no ingredient details and we will assist with the formula.

2. Can you use my formulation?

Of course. If you have a formulation or ingredient deck, you can send this to us. We will confirm that we can recreate the formula and we will make it to spec.

3. Can I modify your formulas and ingredients

Yes, you certainly can modify existing stock formulations of our retail products. Customizing your products will help provide a unique and individual branding opportunity since a unique product will help you stand out from the competition.

4. What if I don’t see a product I am looking for?

We absolutely can formulate and manufacture products other than those listed. We have accumulated an extensive library of formulations consisting of thousands of products. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, please contact us, as we most likely can create a product formulation to suit your needs.

5. Can you replicate an established product?

In most cases, we can. In this instance, we would ask that you send us a sample. Our formulators will assess our ability to recreate the product and will let you know if we think the project is a good fit for our abilities.

6. Can you create natural or organic products?

Yes. Every project that we work on is custom to your needs. If you need us to use natural or organic ingredients, we can certainly accommodate this.

7. Do you test on animals?

Never. We are a 100% cruelty-free facility.

8. Where can I find the ingredients?

We do not list our ingredients on our pricelist for a reason. We create each ingredient deck based on your needs. You are not tied to using a specific formula. Tell us what you need, and we will create an ingredient deck around your needs.

9. Can you provide COA and MSDS sheets?

Yes, we can give you MSDS sheets and COAs for every product that we make for you.

SAMPLES

1. Can I order samples?

Yes, you can order samples. As a company, we do not have formulation fees. So, if we think we can make a product we do not charge you for formulating the product to assess our ability to make it for you. We do charge a sampling fee once we have assessed that we can make the product and are ready to send it to you. Our sampling fee starts at $25 and will depend on the product and quantity needed. Inquire about samples to see the cost of your specific needs. The sampling fee does include shipping as well.

2. Will my samples come in full-size packaging?

No, samples are merely for testing the formula. Because we are a custom facility, we do not order packaging until we have a finalized order. We can always request packaging from vendors for samples if you need an actual sample of the packaging but in general, the samples will not come in retail packaging.

3. I need to send containers, labels, or samples. How do I do that?

Please make sure your vendor marks the box with YOUR name on it. We receive an enormous amount of stock packaging through our facilities, so it is hard to determine one customer's packaging from another. Please send packaging for products that are approved for production to: The Midwest Sea Salt Company Inc. 8964 Rite Track Way West Chester, Ohio 45069

PACKAGING

1. What kind of packaging do you offer?

Packaging is the only part of the private label process that we do not manufacture in-house. Because we want your product to be based on your vision, we don’t limit products to being put in “stock” packaging. We source all the packaging for each product. If we can find it available in the market, we can fill it. We also can use the packaging that you send to us as well. So, there are no limits on the packaging.

2. Can I use my packaging?

Absolutely. If you have packaging you would like to send or a preferred supplier you can always send us packaging, components, or ingredients. We always say we will do as much or as little as you need us to. So, you can send any components you would like to complete your product.

3. Can you create a custom pouch for me?

Yes, it’s one of our specialties. We manufacture custom-printed stand-up pouches here in-house. The MOQ for custom pouches is 1000 units and these pouches can accommodate dry products as well as liquid pouches that include a spout for dispensing. Custom pouches are a great way to lower costs while also presenting amazing branding on custom packaging. They also provide for endless size customizations because we build the pouch around the product, we are putting in it.

4. Can you make a custom retail box for my product?

Yes, we can make and print custom retail boxes in-house to be included in your final retail packaging.

ORDERS

1. How do I place an order?

It’s as simple as emailing us your ideas. In that email let us know the products, quantity, and packaging you are interested in, and we will give you pricing specific to what you are looking for. Every project is unique, so we provide customized proposals based on your needs.

2. I’m worried about people finding out I use a private-label company. How is our identity protected?

This is a valid question and one of the reasons that we are so successful. Your identity is of utmost importance. With every order, we will sign and send you a Non-Disclosure Agreement asserting that we will never divulge any client info. No products will ship with our names on them and our physical production floor is off-limits and non-personal. So, no tours, visits, or walkthroughs are allowed. Our shipments are isolated so even freight companies do not have access to our production floor which houses the most important asset you own… Your Brand Identity. We have you COVERED… literally.

3. Is there any hidden cost?

Everyone hates fees that pop up. We do too. The only additional fee on top of the order will be the freight cost. Unless you change something the pricing on our proposal will not change. We can also give you a freight quote or you may use your shipping carrier. We do not pad shipping costs. What we get charged, we pass on to you.

DESIGN & LABELS

1. Do you offer label design?

We currently do not offer label design. Our expertise is in the actual creation of an amazing formula and end-user retail experience. We would recommend using an experienced design to bring your brand vision to life through a label design. We will then print this design and apply the label. Many clients who do not have designers use Fiverr.com to locate inexpensive designers. Fiverr is a marketplace that has thousands of label designers that could assist with this aspect of the retail product.

2. Will I get a label template?

We will supply you with the label template for any product we make. You can then take this template and either design the label yourself or give this to your designer. The template will let you know where our equipment will be cut so we can make sure that none of your critical images or wording are cut in the label creation process.

LOGISTICS & SHIPPING

1. How much does shipping usually cost?

Shipping costs will be different depending on where you are shipping the items to. Let us know your proposed order and address and we can get you a shipping quote. You may also always use your own shipping company to pick up your products from our facility as well.

2. Can you ship to Amazon FBA?

Yes, we can. For a frame of reference, we ship roughly 10-15 truckloads of private-label products to Amazon FBA daily. We do not charge shipping fees for products going to Amazon FBA. Amazon will give you labels to have us apply to your shipment, and we will ship them out accordingly.

3. What are your turnaround times?

This will certainly depend on your specific needs and the season but in general products that are in a jar or a bottle will take 15-20 business days and products in custom pouches will take 4-6 weeks to complete… start to finish.

4. Do you offer drop shipping?

No, we currently do not offer this service. Being that we are an automated high-volume facility we are not set up to handle individual drop shipping orders at this time.