outsourcing question - help please...

I want to find a us-based (or overseas) CANDY designer + manufacturer.

I need to be able to trust that they will not rip-off my idea, while I hire them to help me develop + produce the idea!!

(that's always the risk, of course)

I also need them to be able to do small runs to get things started, etc.

Any ideas out there?

Thanks.

-- TW

PS: The reason I say it'd be better to be a us-based place is, since it has to do with FOOD, it would be better to have it be us-based -- but maybe that notion is incorrect -- I don't know.

Just be sure they know what they're doing...

Candy design gone wrong:

http://www.seriouseats.com/2008/06/c...one-wrong.html

I should NOT hire those same people to produce my "Candy Canoe" idea then, huh?

Cheers.

-- TW

Zactly

Originally Posted by -TW

I should NOT hire those same people to produce my "Candy Canoe" idea then, huh?

Cheers.

-- TW

TW,

Non disclosure agreements can help. Definitely, try and find yourself a Candy making person, (that you can easily work with) reasonable close by somewhere in the US/CAN. There's surely enough of them around if you Google select Candy related keywords...

If you consider overseas and you probably know where in the world I'm referring to, watch out regarding All the Lead related (food safety) horror stories! ...
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&c...=&oq=&gs_rfai=

Quick info regarding Non disclosure agreements etc...
http://www.wipo.int/sme/en/documents/outsourcing.htm

Phil

Any of your searches turn up any US-based "candy people" that could be a starting point for me? My searches only showed me china leads, etc.

Needs to be someone who I can trust + work with + who can work on a small scale, yet be able to scale up if/when needed. -- and who will allow ME to retain ownership of the overall idea/concept (ie: won't try to take over "my" business, etc.).

-- TW

PS: the big candy show (chicago) is one year from now -- I figure I'd give this one year to see if it pans out -- with the candy show as my goal (launch).

PPS: If you've ever seen the food network show "Unwrapped," they almost ALWAYS feature at least one company whose story goes like this... "In 1913, my great grandfather had a crazy idea [insert HIGHLY UNLIKELY / STRANGE food idea here], and it's been going ever since [w/ MILLIONS in sales every year, for dozens + dozens of years with no end in sight]." In other words, one CAN create a food "fad" that lasts pretty much FOREVER. That appeals to me -- even though it's not easy to hit it just right to begin with -- lottery ticket thinking, basically -- but it DOES/CAN happen.

No problem...

Glad to help...

Try digging into a few of these. Sometimes wheeling, dealing and negotiating with the small guys can make for some Excellent win-win situations for All parties involved, including the trust issues...
http://www.google.com/search?q=candy...D&ved=0CBAQpwU

Phil

One more to help keep you busy...

Don't forget to keep your Eyes open on the All the Localized and Hidden kitchen table candy makers...

Almost everywhere as you just never know on the Amazing stuff that they can produce and supply too! Just apply caution on All food and health related issues...

Here you go. If I come across other good ones, I'll post the additional links...
http://www.google.com/search?q=candy...C&ved=0CCcQpwU

Stay uptodate...
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&c...&btn G=Search

Phil

[MMacGillivray]

Hi, TW - sometimes it's worth searching the Yahoo directory -

dir.yahoo.com

I came across a directory of candy companies - I know nothing about them, but it could be a good place to start.

Best
Margaret

[Ankesh]

Thanks for thinking candies TW.

So 2 minute research shows 2 candy associations / networks in USA:
http://www.pmca.com/
http://www.candyusa.com/

If you call them and give them a location or some idea about what kind of candy you're looking to get made, they will connect you with a couple of their members.

Also found:
http://www.candydetective.com/
but didn't investigate further.

Also - another way to find manufacturers of candy is to look at the packaging of competitor candies. A lot of your competitors may not have their own plants - so they will be outsourcing their manufacturing too.