What we do
Bespoke end-to-end contract manufacturing under one roof
From formulation through to palletised despatch, delivered by a partner, not just a supplier. Five service areas, BRCGS AA* certified, bespoke only. From 1,000 units per SKU. No white-label, ever.
1. Product development
Formulation, sourcing, and flavour work
NPD at Nootro is a structured, paid process, not a free pitch deck. We scope feasibility, develop the formula against your target claims and sensory profile, source compliant ingredients from vetted suppliers, and prototype until the sample is right.
A typical NPD project runs 4 to 8 weeks. For gummies (flavour-heavy iteration) and liquids (stability-heavy testing) we often run 6 to 10 weeks. You get: documented formulation, full specification, sampling batches at production scale, stability data, Novel Foods status review, claims feasibility review, and a costed path to production.
We formulate across all four of our production formats: capsules, gummies, powders, liquids, and we'll often recommend a format switch during NPD if your active load or target consumer fits better elsewhere.
- Formulation and reformulation (existing products welcome)
- Ingredient sourcing from vetted global suppliers
- Flavour, sweetener, and texture development
- Prototype sampling batches for sensory, stability, and claims validation
- Full product specification, COAs, and costing
- Novel Foods status review standard for compliance-sensitive actives
2. Manufacturing
Capsules, gummies, powders, and liquids on dedicated lines
Four production formats under one BRCGS AA* audited QMS. Each format runs on its own dedicated line: no cross-format contamination, no shared equipment between allergens, no compromised cleanroom discipline.
Our capsule line handles HPMC and gelatin across sizes 00 to 3. The gummy line runs on pectin base with custom mould capability. The powder suite blends from single-actives through 30+ component stacks and fills into stick packs, sachets, tubs, or bulk. The liquid line handles aqueous, oil, and alcohol bases from 5 ml up.
Batch traceability and in-process QC run across every line. Every production batch ships with a Certificate of Analysis.
- Dedicated encapsulation line (HPMC + gelatin, sizes 00 to 3)
- Pectin gummy line (vegan default, sugar-free capable)
- Powder blending and filling (stick, sachet, tub, bulk)
- Liquid filling (water, oil, alcohol bases; 5 ml to 500 ml)
- ISO Class 7 cleanroom for sensitive formats
- Batch traceability and in-process QC across every line
3. Compliance
Built into every stage, not bolted on at the end
Our BRCGS AA* QMS covers every batch: ingredient approval, in-process QC, third-party release testing, and full documentation for retail and export. Retail buyers ask for this paperwork before they list you; we send it as standard.
BRCGS AA* is the top available BRCGS grade, awarded on an unannounced audit with zero non-conformities. Most UK supplement manufacturers are BRCGS-certified but very few publish their grade.
We hold multiple Novel Foods dossiers. Brands developing within the scope of our dossiers work under our authorisation rather than starting the process from zero.
Informed Sport capability in place for brands supplying elite, professional, or collegiate sport: banned-substance screening on raw materials, segregated production runs, per-batch banned-substance testing.
4. Packaging
Retail-ready, to your brand
Packaging is handled in-house across bottles, pouches, sachets, jars, and tubs. Your labels, cartons, tamper-evidence, outers, and shrink-wrap, everything that walks out of here is retail-ready, not 'nearly retail-ready'.
We work to your pack specification and can recommend format options during NPD if you're open on packaging. For brands with in-house artwork and print suppliers, we integrate, you ship labels and cartons to us, we fill and pack.
Sustainable and recyclable packaging formats are supported where your brand spec requires them (PCR-content bottles, recyclable pouches, FSC cartons).
- Bottles (HDPE, amber glass, PET)
- Pouches and sachets (single-serve and multi-serve)
- Jars and tubs (scoop-ready, tamper-evident lids)
- Labels, cartons, tamper-evidence, outers, pallet-wrap
- Sustainable and recyclable formats where specified
- Integration with your artwork and print suppliers
5. Fulfilment
Palletised despatch to your 3PL or DC
We ship direct to your 3PL, distribution centre, or warehouse on pallets, with the full documentation pack: COAs, batch records, product specifications, customs paperwork where relevant. One handover, fully documented, no gaps for your ops team or your retailer's compliance check to trip over.
Storage buffer is available between production and call-off if your launch cadence or retail window demands it.
- Pallet-level despatch to your nominated address
- Full documentation pack (COAs, batch records, specifications)
- UK and EU delivery as standard; customs paperwork for export
- Storage buffer between production and call-off
- Integration with major UK 3PLs
Contract manufacturing FAQs
Common questions from brand founders scoping a UK contract manufacturer.
Do you offer white-label or stock SKUs?
No. We're a bespoke contract manufacturer: every product we make is developed to your specification, under your brand, to your commercial target. We don't hold generic SKUs to repackage. If you want white-label, we're not the right partner; if you're developing your own product, we are.
What does your NPD process cost?
NPD is quoted per project, scoped on complexity. Simple reformulations can be a few thousand pounds; ground-up formulations with flavour and stability work sit higher. We quote separately from production so the cost is transparent, no 'free NPD, hidden in the unit cost' model.
What's your minimum order quantity?
1,000 units per SKU across all four formats. This is a hard floor: the per-batch QC, documentation, and compliance overhead makes lower volumes uneconomic for retail-grade production. Among UK bespoke contract manufacturers, 1,000 is one of the lowest published MOQs.
How long does a product take end-to-end?
Standard path: 4 to 8 weeks NPD (if required) + 6 to 8 weeks production + logistics. A brand starting from scratch typically ships their first batch 3 to 4 months after first enquiry, assuming no regulatory blockers.
Do you supply the documentation retail buyers ask for?
Yes. BRCGS AA* audit certificate, product specifications, COAs per batch, stability data, claims substantiation, and artwork compliance review, all provided as standard. Major UK grocery, pharmacy, and DTC retailers all have documentation requirements we meet out of the box.
Can you handle Novel Foods ingredients?
Yes. We hold multiple Novel Foods dossiers, and we check Novel Foods status for every formulation during NPD feasibility.
Can you handle export compliance?
Yes for EU, Middle East, and most international markets. Each destination market has specific regulatory nuances (ingredient permissions, claims rules, labelling), we'll flag blockers during NPD and before despatch.
One partner, all five stages.
Bring us the product concept and we'll walk you through formulation, manufacturing, compliance, packaging, and fulfilment, with a single owner, a single invoice, and the documentation your retail buyer will ask for.
Related
Related: the supplement product formats we manufacture, our bespoke product development process, and our packaging and label capabilities.