What does it really take to bring a product from idea to reality?
In private label beverage and powdered food manufacturing, speed, precision and formulation expertise can make or break a product before it ever reaches the shelf. From concept and sourcing to sampling, refinement and scale, every step matters.
Here’s a closer look at the R&D process, capabilities and mindset behind the lab—directly from Alex McClean, Director of Research & Development and Regulatory Compliance at Corim Industries.
Q: How would you describe your role at Corim?
Alex:
“As Director of Research & Development, my role revolves around being creative and detail oriented. I have to be flexible, open minded and very thorough with all details to make great products.
I like to think of my position as one of the most fun jobs anyone can have. Every day I have the opportunity to create something great, make customers’ dream products and see my hard work fill shelves in stores.
It is a challenging job, but I have an excellent team to support me and I’m very grateful to be where I am.
Overall, being an R&D scientist for food manufacturing can feel like a mad scientist, but the end result is much tastier.”
Q: What are the primary capabilities of the R&D lab?
Alex:
“The R&D lab here at Corim focuses on creating new products for many different applications. Our capabilities are to create delicious, well thought out formulations that meet the criteria of our customers.
Every project is different, but we offer start to finish formulation, rounds of samples, nutrition labels, specification sheets, all necessary documentation, product meetings, detailed product analysis and so much more.”
Q: What types of products are most commonly developed?
Alex:
“One of the best things about Corim Industries is our diverse portfolio of products. On a daily basis, our team works on:
- Coffee
- Cappuccino mixes
- Hot chocolate mixes
- Drink mixes, including teas, lemonades and fruit beverages
- Matcha
- Sugar packets and alternative sweeteners
- Fortified beverages
- Mushroom coffees
- Electrolyte blends
- Instant creamers
- Cocktail and mocktail mixes”
Q: What does the product development process look like?
Alex:
“Product development always starts with an in depth conversation with me or a member of our team. I will ask many questions relating to the product concept, ingredient restrictions, nutrition requirements and flavor profile.
From there, I will work on sourcing any new materials. Once I have everything, I will put together samples and ship them directly to our customer. We will discuss feedback, make any tweaks or changes necessary until we have the perfect product.
Once formulation is complete, I will send the customer to the rest of my team to discuss packaging, pricing and future logistics.”
Q: How do you help improve existing products?
Alex:
“We offer flavor profile tweaks to improve the potency of the product.
We offer clean label tweaks, whether it be natural colors, no sugar, no artificial sweeteners or flavors, or fortified with vitamins, minerals or adaptogens. We can always make a product healthier and tastier.
We also offer collaborative advice based on market trends while still ensuring we do not compromise our customers’ values. We are always open to feedback and treat every project with a team mindset.”
Q: What challenges do customers typically bring to the lab?
Alex:
“Unfortunately, bringing new materials into our facility will increase customer minimum order quantities. We always recommend starting with our in house materials, but that does not work for every product.
No matter what the challenge may be, we are always open and transparent about any potential challenges we see on the horizon.”
Q: What sets Corim apart from other manufacturers?
Alex:
“Corim Industries was built on the ideology that no project is too small or too big. We are open and willing to work on all inquiries and do our part to set our customer up for success. Our goal is always to grow with our customer and build something together.
Most R&D labs won’t give the same devotion and care to all projects. We don’t shy away from small projects, we see them as an opportunity to grow something together.
As long as it’s a powder mix, we can make it work here. And with our packaging facility, we are a one stop shop for most products.”
Q: How do you help customers move efficiently from concept to production?
Alex:
“Our team offers specific advice from start to finish. We are not only making the product, we are explaining why we do it the way we do.
The transparency behind every step of the process is one of many things that makes Corim great. We teach while we collaborate. We explain potential problems and solutions before anything can go wrong.
We also move very quickly. Often times, customers will receive a sample within a week of their original inquiry.”
Q: What’s something customers are often surprised by?
Alex:
“We often work on nutraceutical or fortified products. We have an extensive nutritional background and apply that knowledge to create healthy or performance based products.”
From Idea to Execution
At Corim, R&D is about more than formulation. It is about collaboration, transparency and building products that succeed in the real world.