The Bridge Between Innovation and Manufacturing
Pilot plants and food innovation centers let you test, refine, and scale your formulation before committing to a co-packer. The Alliance helps you find the right facility.
An FDA-registered, NASC-certified pet-care manufacturing and co-packing operation — ten product categories on flexible lines, out of North Texas.
Four generations of consumer product industry experience.
Our Position
Every consumer product follows the same path. Pilot Plants uniquely bridges both the Innovate and Create phases — where R&D becomes production reality.
Coming up with the idea
R&D, formulation development, and testing at food innovation centers. Food scientists turn recipes into reproducible formulations. Shelf-life testing, nutritional analysis, and consumer validation.
Creating the idea
Production validation, pilot runs, and process optimization. Small-scale manufacturing trials before committing to a co-packer. Pilot plants are the essential bridge to full commercial production.
Launching the idea
When your process is validated through pilot runs, you move to full co-packing and retail distribution. The Alliance supports every phase through to launch.
The Journey →Definition
A pilot plant is a small-scale facility where food products are developed, tested, and scaled up before mass production. It allows manufacturers to experiment with new recipes, optimize production processes, and ensure quality control — without the capital commitment of a full commercial line.
A pilot plant focuses on production process validation. The goal is to test your manufacturing process at small-to-medium scale before investing in a full co-packing run.
A food innovation center focuses on R&D and formulation. Food scientists, analytical labs, and nutritional testing help you develop and refine your product.
What We Cover
From R&D and formulation through regulatory compliance and commercialization — pilot plants and food innovation centers cover the full spectrum of food product development.
New product ideation and development from concept through commercialization
Food scientists, nutritionists, and formulation specialists on call
HACCP, SQF, GMP — food safety programs and quality assurance systems
Process engineering, equipment validation, scale-up troubleshooting
Functionality testing, stability studies, compatibility screening
Small-to-medium scale production runs for process validation
Supplier identification, spec development, alternative ingredient research
Retail-ready packaging design, compatibility testing, line integration
FDA, USDA, labeling requirements — stay compliant at every stage
Transition from pilot to full commercial production with confidence
Applied research, bench work, and formulation iteration
Licensed shared-use kitchens for early-stage production and testing
Full lifecycle development from prototype through launch-ready product
Accelerated and real-time shelf-life studies for retail and distribution
Trained panels and consumer testing for taste, texture, and appearance
Production scale-up and co-manufacturing partnership facilitation
Industry workshops, tours, and educational programming at facilities
Connect with buyers, suppliers, and industry peers through CPA
Competitive analysis, consumer trends, category sizing and opportunity
Technical and commercial feasibility for new products and processes
Types of Facilities
Not all pilot plants are the same. Understanding the type of facility helps you choose the right partner for your stage of development.
Academic infrastructure, cutting-edge equipment
University pilot plants offer access to advanced analytical equipment, food science departments, and student researchers. Typically non-profit or subsidized — lower cost with strong technical depth.
Mission-driven, broad access
Non-profit food innovation centers often receive government or foundation funding, enabling subsidized access for small and mid-size brands. Many offer incubator programs with mentorship.
Commercial-grade, production-ready
For-profit pilot plants operate at commercial scale with industry-standard equipment. Faster turnaround, more flexibility, and deeper contract manufacturing expertise.
For Brands
Need pilot runs, product development, or process validation? The Alliance connects brands with the right pilot plant or food innovation center — and manages the entire process.
For Facilities
Pilot plants, food innovation centers, commercial kitchens, and contract manufacturers — join the Contract Packaging Association and get matched with brands seeking production partners.
As Seen On
From emerging startups to nationally recognized brands, the Co-Packing Network has helped entrepreneurs find a practical path to production since 2008.
Featured on Entrepreneur TV
Production guidance for founders navigating the jump from a breakout opportunity to repeatable manufacturing.
A proprietary industry roster that extends the search when an initial CPA match is not available.
A multigenerational CPG legacy spanning supermarkets, wholesale distribution, and manufacturing since the 1920s.
The Alliance is creating a unified search and matching tool for the entire pilot plant and food innovation center ecosystem — making it easier than ever for brands to find the right facility at the right stage.
We are recruiting current commercial kitchens and contract manufacturers to offer pilot runs and/or create pilot plants within their own locations. We are also working with colleges and universities to connect their food science infrastructure with brands that need it.
Whether you operate a university food lab, a non-profit food innovation center, or a commercial contract manufacturing facility — there is a place for you in this network.
Become a Member FacilityBrand Services
From finding a facility through product launch — the Alliance provides end-to-end support for food and CPG brands.
We match your product, scale, and timeline requirements with the right pilot plant or food innovation center. University-based, non-profit, or for-profit — we find what fits.
End-to-end project management from first contact through final pilot run. We coordinate timelines, manage facility relationships, and keep your project on track.
Access to food scientists, nutritionists, and formulation experts who can take your recipe and turn it into a scalable, compliant, retail-ready product.
Tell us about your product and we'll match you with the right pilot plant or food innovation center.
