FMI’s Product Development Team is Passionate About Your Success in the Marketplace
The entire Product Development team has a passion for helping you thrive in the marketplace by creating products that will make a meaningful impact in the lives of the consumers who use them. We have a strong commitment to quality, innovation, learning and improvement, and staying informed of the trends in your market.
Capabilities
The FMI Product Development team can help with many aspects of your new product launch. Whether you have a completed formulation, are looking to improve an existing product, or just have a great new idea, our team will help see it through to fruition. Our goal is to partner with you to transition your product from just an idea swirling around inside your head to one that can swirl around one of our beakers and eventually become a top selling product!
We Can Assist You With:
- Sourcing of raw materials
- Formulation of innovative products
- Established formulas to use as a starting point
- Lab scale samples for your evaluation
- Early identification of potential scale-up challenges
- Knowledge of the benefits of ingredients in your product
The Process
The FMI Product Development team works very closely with your Account Manager and Account Specialist to help foster a partnership with you. Together, we explore many facets of you and your product including but not limited to your needs from us as your contract manufacturer, your retail and regulatory requirements, and your marketing strategy—all to ensure your success in the marketplace. We welcome you to visit our facility to meet our team, take a tour of our manufacturing areas, and discuss your brand and product ideas.
The first step of the new product development process is to complete one of our comprehensive Product Profile Sheets. This will provide us the necessary guidelines and desired product attributes you are looking to achieve as well as how your product will be packaged for sale. We will then provide a price estimate for your review and approval. Next, our Product Development team will create samples of your proposed product for evaluation. Should any challenges or difficulties arise in the development process, our team communicates them with you along with alternatives in order to come to a mutually agreeable solution. Communication is always timely, honest, and transparent. Upon final formula approval, the product will begin to move into the first-time production pipeline where our Quality and Production teams will take over guiding your new product into its final stages. We are as invested in the success of your product as you are!
Megan Conrad
Megan started with FMI in 2009 and was promoted to Product Development Manager in 2012. She has both a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a Master’s degree in Chemistry from Lehigh University. Megan is an active member of the New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists (NYSCC), and Vistage Key Executive Leadership Group. Under Megan’s watch, there have been numerous innovative products developed at FMI that have experienced commercial success. Your product innovation and success in the marketplace is supported by Megan’s ability to cultivate strong customer and vendor relationships, and her understanding of consumer needs and trends.
Kristopher Lang
Kristopher Lang has been with FMI since 2001 and is one of our most senior employees. He started working in the Compounding/Product manufacturing area before transferring to Product Development in 2003 to better utilize his skills and creativity. With over 25 years of chemical experience and first-hand involvement working in the operation, Kristopher is invaluable in helping to identify process efficiencies and strategies for successful scale-up from the lab to production. Kristopher is the veteran of the FMI Product Development team and has been intricately involved with several of our customer’s greatest successes while looking ahead to many more.
Marina Starcic
Marina Starcic graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Lehigh University in 2016 and immediately joined the team full-time after a year working as an intern at FMI. Marina brings a fresh perspective to the group and is eager to help identify new trends in the personal care market. She has a keen eye for color, a particular panache for detail, and a strong commitment to learning.
Zoey Bragg
Zoey joined the Product Development Team in June 2023 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Lafayette College where she was recognized for high proficiency in laboratory skills. She is a natural problem-solver and approaches each project with high energy and a creative edge. As an avid user of beauty and home care products, Zoey is excited to discover and contribute to trends within the industry.