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An Interview with Harry F. McLachlan
Owner of Caribia Inc.

What types of products does Caribia custom manufacture?

We specialize in cosmetics and personal care products such as sunscreens, moisturizing lotions, shampoos, perfumes, skin lighteners, skin toners, revitalizers, texturizers, resurfacers, acne scrubs, alpha hydroxide acids, eye gels, wrinkle creams, eye creams and throat creams (for export). We have also manufactured arthritis gels. Our largest product line is our own line of Hawaiian Tan® sun care products. We do lotions, creams, gels and liquids. We will tint these as needed, but we will not manufacture color products such as lipstick or nail polish.

What quantities of product will Caribia handle?

We will take on custom manufacturing jobs as small as 300 units or as large as 25,000 units, where a unit is a tube or bottle. Production runs which are most economical for our clients are in the 5,000 to 20,000 unit range. We can also ship product in 55-gallon drums for customers who want to do their own packaging. We are a "boutique shop" which can provide faster turnaround times and be more responsive to customer needs than our larger, less flexible competitors.

What sort of turnaround time can a customer expect?

We typically quote delivery two weeks after receipt of raw materials and components, but we generally ship within one week.

Who are Caribia’s typical customers?

We custom manufacture for all types of entrepreneurs, including dermatologists, plastic surgeons, estheticians, educators, and operators of tanning salons, beauty salons or beauty schools. Many of our products are formulated with special scents and colors for export. We manufacture products for many direct mail order firms. We also do custom manufacturing for some of the better known cosmetics and personal care products companies.

What guarantee of quality does Caribia offer?

First of all, this is a regulated industry which requires a drug and an alcohol license from the State of California – which we have. We are also inspected annually by the FDA. We stay with quality equipment, such as steel mixing tanks, and adhere to high quality control standards consistent with good manufacturing practices. We never skimp on materials. I started my career as a quality control manager, and I personally inspect all product before it leaves our door. And as a boutique shop, we pay more attention to detail for all phases of a customer’s order than our larger competitors.

Who provides the formulation, Caribia or the customer?

As a flexible custom lab, we can go either way. If the customer supplies us with the list and percentages of all ingredients, we can contact our suppliers and price out a production run without delay. If the customer comes to us with a sample that he would like us to imitate or simply has something in mind, we get our chemist involved. A modest up-front formulation fee will then apply. Up to three revisions may be required before the final formulation is approved and a production run can be quoted. We will work with the customer as needed at every step of the way from concept to packaging and labeling.

What sort of packaging does Caribia handle?

We can handle most packaging components, including jars, tubes and glass or plastic bottles of different sizes. We can apply labels, or use pre-labeled components. We will pack the components directly into shipping boxes or into individual 12-slot cartons, as specified. In most cases, the customer will supply us with the components and labels, which are an integral part of product marketing. We can then simply procure the raw materials, compound these into the final product, fill the components, and load the components into boxes. We have also done products on a 100% turnkey basis, from concept through packaged product. On the other extreme, we have shipped products in 55-gallon drums for customers who want to do their own packaging.

How long has Caribia been in business?

Caribia has specialized in the formulation and manufacturing of cosmetics and personal care products for over 30 years. The company started in Hawaii in the 1960's as Liana of Waikiki with the manufacture of the high-end family of Hawaiian Tan ^® sunscreen products. These were developed by the company founder, Dr. Horst Baumgartner. In 1978, the company was moved to Southern California and incorporated as Caribia Inc. It has been serving personal care product clients from that location ever since.

What is the best way to initiate a custom manufacturing project?

Simply contact me, Harry F. McLachlan, Owner, via phone, fax or e-mail. Better yet, fill out our quotation form, so that we have all information needed to contact you. If you know the product ingredients and percentages, we will be able to quote manufacturing right away. To simplify paperwork, you may wish to fill out our e-mail form. If you only have a product sample to emulate or a product concept, we will use our know-how and experience to formulate the product for you.

Whatever your situation may be, we will work closely with you at every step of the way to supply you with a winning product. We are a cosmetic lab and manufacturing facility with the flexibility and resources to provide the highest level of customer service to small and medium-size clients.