Streamlining NPD: How Supplying Your Own Raw Materials Or Moulds Can Speed Up Your Private Label Chocolate Project
When developing a new private label chocolate product, cost, speed and efficiency are often top priorities. For some customers, supplying their own raw materials, packaging components, or bespoke moulds can be a smart way to control costs, accelerate the NPD process and bring a unique product to market faster. At Hames Chocolates, we’re pleased to support this approach—provided the right approvals, checks and technical steps are completed to keep quality and food safety at the forefront.
Allowing customers to supply their own inputs gives greater control over the final product’s appearance, flavour or branding. However, it also introduces important responsibilities around supplier verification, raw material approval and factory risk assessment. To help customers understand what’s involved, we’ve outlined the process below.
The first essential step is supplier approval. Before any raw materials, packaging, or moulds can arrive on site, our technical team must review and approve every supplier involved. We require that suppliers hold a recognised GFSI standard such as BRCGS. If a supplier is a manufacturer with GFSI accreditation, the process is usually straightforward; however, if the supplier holds certifications such as BRCGS Agents & Brokers or Storage & Distribution, additional information about their own upstream suppliers will be required. In many cases, we will also request supplier questionnaires and carry out a traceability test. This ensures full transparency in the supply chain and helps us confirm that all materials meet our safety and quality expectations.
Next, we ask customers to provide detailed raw material specifications for every component they intend to supply whether it’s an ingredient, a packaging element, or a chocolate mould. These specifications allow us to carry out a full risk assessment, including allergen reviews, to ensure that the material can be used safely within our factory environment. This stage is critical, no material can be accepted on site until the risk assessment is complete and formal approval is granted by our technical manager.
Once all suppliers are approved and every material has passed its assessment, we can begin planning samples and production. Only after our technical team has signed off can we schedule production, evaluate performance in our production lines, and ensure the supplied materials integrate seamlessly into our processes.
This structured workflow means that although customer supplied materials can accelerate NPD, they must be handled with care and due diligence. Our commitment to product safety, consistency, and quality is central to every project we undertake. By following these essential steps, we can work together confidently and efficiently to bring your private-label chocolate concepts to life.
If you’re exploring the option of supplying your own raw materials or moulds and would like support with your next NPD project, our team is here to help guide you through every stage of the process.
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