Our Mission
Innovate · Create · Launch
Every consumer product follows the same path. Coming up with the idea. Creating the idea. Launching the idea. Pilot Plants is uniquely positioned to support brands at both the Innovate and Create phases.
Pilot Plants: The Only Arm That Bridges Two Phases
Most arms of the Alliance operate in a single phase. Pilot Plants is different. We cover both Innovate (through food innovation centers, R&D labs, and formulation services) and Create (through production pilot plants and the transition to co-packing).
This means Pilot Plants can support a brand from the very earliest stages of product development — turning a recipe into a formulation — all the way through validated pilot production runs and the handoff to a commercial co-packer.
Phase One
★ Pilot Plants HereInnovate
Coming up with the idea
Every great consumer product starts with an idea. The Innovate phase is about turning that idea into something real — developing formulations, testing ingredients, validating shelf life, and getting the science right before you invest in production. Food innovation centers are the heart of this phase.
Pilot Plants uniquely participates in BOTH Innovate and Create. Food innovation centers — a core part of the pilot plant ecosystem — are where the R&D work of the Innovate phase happens.
Alliance Arms at This Phase
Food Innovation Centers
Visit →foodinnovationcenters.org
R&D facilities with food scientists, nutritional analysis, shelf-life studies, and university partnerships. Where recipes become formulations with defined specs.
Commercial Kitchens
Visit →commercialkitchens.org
Licensed shared-use kitchen spaces for early-stage production. The first place most brands make real product — health department approved, commercial equipment.
Cottage Foods
Visit →cottagefoods.us
Home-based food production for farmers markets and direct-to-consumer sales. The lowest-risk way to validate your concept with real buyers.
Invention Guidance
Visit →inventionguidance.org
From concept to working prototype — patent guidance, product development, and prototyping for food and non-food consumer products.
What Happens at This Phase
Most brands spend 6–18 months in the Innovate phase. Don't rush it — the work done here determines everything that follows. A validated formulation with shelf-life data and nutritional specs is the output.
Phase Two
★ Pilot Plants HereCreate
Creating the idea
You've validated your formulation. Now it's time to prove it can be manufactured. The Create phase is about taking your validated product concept and testing it at production scale — before committing to a full co-packing run. Pilot plants are the defining infrastructure of this phase.
This is the primary phase for Pilot Plants. Production trials, process validation, COGS modeling, and the co-packer transition — everything that happens between a validated formulation and first commercial run.
Alliance Arms at This Phase
Pilot Plants
Visit →pilotplants.org
Pre-commercial production testing to validate your manufacturing process before committing to a co-packer. The essential bridge between innovation and scale. This is us.
Contract Manufacturing / Co-Packing
Visit →co-packing.org
Outsourced manufacturing at commercial scale. You own the brand and formula — the co-packer owns the facility and equipment. The destination after successful pilot runs.
Private Labeling
Visit →privatelabeling.org
White-label manufacturing for retailer brands, store brands, and private label programs. Manufacturing for other people's brands at commercial scale.
CPG Own Facilities
Visit →cpgmfg.org
For brands ready to build or optimize their own manufacturing plant. Facility planning, equipment sourcing, regulatory compliance, and ongoing operations support.
What Happens at This Phase
The Create phase typically takes 3–12 months. Getting the right manufacturing partner is the single most important decision you'll make. Pilot runs typically take 1–6 months to complete before a co-packing decision.
Phase Three
Launch
Launching the idea
Your product is manufactured and packaged. Now you need to get it into the hands of consumers. The Launch phase connects you to retail channels, distribution networks, broker relationships, and go-to-market strategy — leveraging the Alliance's 30+ years of retail relationships.
Retail Channels We Cover
What Happens at This Phase
Launch is ongoing. The Alliance's Conzumables and Co-Packing Network covers every major retail channel in the U.S. and Canada. Most brands spend 12–24 months building sustainable retail distribution.
Where Are You?
Tell us where you are in the process and we'll point you to the right resources.
I'm innovating
I have an idea or early-stage product and need formulation development, R&D, or a food innovation center.
Get guidance →I'm creating
I have a validated formulation and need pilot runs, process validation, or help finding a co-packer.
Get guidance →I'm ready to launch
My product is manufactured and I need help with retail placement, distribution, or go-to-market.
Get guidance →