Supplement Manufacturing Costs

There are quite a few things that go into a final quote. 

To start, lets break down fixed and variable costs in manufacturing. Our lead project manager, Tim Rowe, breaks it down here.

TL:DR

When you ask “What’s your price per unit?” you’re really asking:

• What portion of this is fixed cost?
• What portion is variable?
• How does the cost vary with different order sizes?
• What fluctuates with commodity markets?
• What else is included that may not be immediately obvious? 
• How much does storage cost?

And while it can be tempting to look for a standard price per unit, beware. The only way a manufacturer can offer that is to intentionally cushion margins on their end to accommodate uncertainties.

Flat fees are simpler, but they can cause brands to overpay. 

Who We Work With

Our philosophy is simple: 

• Deliver a quality product on time
• Provide great jobs for our team members
• Reinvest profit into the people, processes, and equipment we need to better serve our partners

We work with brands ready for MOQs of 20,000 units or more. Our single- and high-speed multi-lane machines are capable of manufacturing liquids, powders, capsules, tablets, liposomes, and more.

Costs per unit are tough to accurately convey in an article because there are too many variables.

But as a point of reference, stick packs will cost anywhere from $0.15 to $0.50 per unit for orders under 50,000. 

Want A Personalized Quote?

With the right information, we can tell you exactly what it will take to put your vision into action.

When the time is right, reach out for a free consultation. You’ll get a quote, as well as a no-pressure roadmap put together by a team that’s been there – and, if it appears we’re a good fit, product samples.

In the meantime, let’s connect on Linkedin. 

I post about my life and learnings as a manufacturing CEO, and I’m always excited to share and connect with ambitious startup founders.

Ben Steuart — Owner, Steuart Nutrition

‍

Ben Steuart is the co-founder and CEO of Steuart Nutrition, a contract manufacturing and supplement innovation partner for powder, liquid, and stick‑pack supplements. He launched the company in 2019 alongside his wife, Sarah, building on his lifelong roots in the food production industry, where he grew up working in his father's manufacturing business in Mabel, Minnesota.

Throughout his career, Ben has developed deep expertise in supplement manufacturing and business operations. At Steuart, he leads with a commitment to lean operations, fostering long-term partnerships, and delivering flexible, transparent service—prioritizing the client’s vision as much as his own. His leadership guided the business’s rapid expansion from a single facility to multiple locations, enabling agile responses to market needs—from producing hand sanitizer during the COVID‑19 pandemic to scaling CBD and nutrition supplement lines.