Unlocking Your Brand’s Potential with Comprehensive Private Label-Adhesive Solutions

By Meridian Adhesives

In today’s competitive market, brands seeking to expand their product lines often turn to private labeling as a way to offer custom, high-performance solutions without the complexities of in-house production. For companies looking to develop their own adhesive products, the journey can be filled with technical, logistical, and regulatory challenges. Meridian, a leading provider of private-label manufacturing, offers an end-to-end solution that takes clients from initial concept through to market-ready product. In this Q&A, Greg Fodell, Meridian’s Director of Business Development, explains how the company’s private-label services enable brands to create high-quality adhesive products with custom formulations, scalable production, and versatile packaging — all with the expert support and infrastructure needed to succeed.

Q: Greg, could you start by explaining why private-label adhesive solutions are so valuable for growing brands?

Greg Fodell: Absolutely. Private labeling is an efficient way for brands to expand without the significant costs of setting up production infrastructure or assembling a technical team. By working with a private-label partner like Meridian, brands can quickly bring high-quality products to market. Instead of handling the complexities of formulation, compliance, and manufacturing, companies can focus on core operations like sales and brand-building while we handle the technical side.

For many of our clients, it’s an opportunity to enter new markets or offer specialized products without a big initial investment. For example, if a brand wants to launch an adhesive line tailored to building construction applications, Meridian has the expertise and facilities to develop that product from scratch, meeting specific industry requirements along the way.

Q: What are some of the main advantages brands can expect from partnering with Meridian on private-label adhesives?

Greg: Partnering with Meridian offers several key advantages that help brands bring products to market efficiently and cost-effectively. First, we can significantly speed up market entry. Since we handle everything from formulation to packaging, clients don’t have to worry about setting up production. This enables faster time-to-market, which is crucial in a competitive landscape.

Another big benefit is cost-efficiency. Without needing their own production facilities, our clients save on overhead costs, allowing them to allocate resources to other areas, like marketing or distribution. We also support product differentiation — our customized formulations and packaging options help brands stand out by meeting specific customer needs and preferences.

Additionally, we offer flexibility in production scale, which is particularly valuable. Clients can request small batches for limited test runs or full-scale production depending on demand. This flexibility allows brands to grow with us, adjusting their product quantities as their market presence expands.

Q: Let’s dive into custom formulation. How does Meridian work with clients to develop adhesives with specific characteristics?

Greg: Custom formulation is one of the areas where we really shine. Our process is collaborative from start to finish, allowing us to tailor adhesives to each client’s specific application needs. Different industries have unique adhesive requirements. For instance, adhesives used in construction may need high durability and environmental resistance, while those for electronics require precision and controlled conductivity.

Our formulation process includes several key steps:

1. Initial Consultation: We start by discussing the product’s intended performance and application environment. This helps us understand details like the desired curing time, temperature tolerance, or flexibility.
2. Laboratory Development: Using advanced technologies and tools, including an AI-powered platform called Uncountable, we develop and refine formulations to meet precise performance metrics. Uncountable analyzes data from past projects to help optimize new formulations, making the development process both faster and more accurate.
3. Iterative Testing: We conduct rigorous testing on viscosity, bonding strength, and other factors to ensure each formulation meets our standards. If adjustments are needed, we refine the product until it performs exactly as intended.
4. Regulatory Compliance: Compliance is crucial, especially in industries like automotive or healthcare. Our team ensures that each formulation adheres to industry standards, whether that’s OSHA, FDA, or other regulatory bodies.
5. Finalization: Once approved, the formulation goes through a final quality check to confirm consistency before moving to production.

By managing each of these steps, we ensure clients receive adhesives that meet their specific needs, whether for niche applications or broader industrial use.

Q: Can you discuss the importance of packaging in your private-label services? How does Meridian approach packaging for adhesives?

Greg: Packaging is crucial, not just for protecting the adhesive but for ensuring ease of use and reinforcing the brand’s identity. Our goal is to match each product with packaging that aligns with its intended use and the customer’s needs. We offer a range of packaging solutions, from small syringes for precision applications to large totes for industrial purposes.

For example, small syringes and squeeze bottles are perfect for adhesives used in electronics or medical devices, where precise application is essential. Cartridges and tubes are more suitable for construction and automotive uses, where durability and ease of handling are priorities. On the other end, we offer buckets, drums, and totes for bulk applications in large-scale industrial environments.

We also work closely with clients on branding. Custom labels, unique designs, and eco-friendly packaging materials are all options, allowing the finished product to resonate with consumers while also meeting practical needs. This level of customization supports each brand’s identity and helps them stand out in the market.

Q: How does Meridian support brands in scaling their production?

Greg: Scaling production is another area where Meridian adds significant value. We offer both contract manufacturing and toll manufacturing, which gives our clients flexibility. For brands that want full-service production, contract manufacturing is ideal — we manage every step, from raw material sourcing to final quality checks, ensuring consistent quality across batches.

In cases where a brand only needs limited production support, toll manufacturing can be a better fit. This is often used for small test runs or when brands want to adjust volumes without a long-term commitment. Toll manufacturing also allows brands to test new formulations on a smaller scale before committing to larger production.

Our facilities are designed to support both small-batch and high-volume production, so as a client’s demand grows, we can seamlessly increase production without sacrificing quality. This scalability makes us an ideal partner for brands aiming to expand quickly or introduce new products.

Q: How does Meridian handle the logistics and compliance aspects, especially for adhesive products?

Greg: Logistics and compliance are key to bringing any product to market efficiently, and adhesives are no exception. Meridian offers a full range of logistics services, from warehousing and inventory management to domestic and international shipping. This allows clients to maintain streamlined operations, knowing that their supply chain is handled.

On the compliance side, we work meticulously to ensure that each product adheres to regulatory standards. Adhesives are often subject to health, safety, and environmental regulations, depending on the industry. We handle all documentation and certification, ensuring our clients can enter their chosen markets with confidence.

By managing both logistics and compliance, we allow brands to focus on product promotion and sales, reducing the risks and complexities involved in adhesive production.

Q: What does Meridian’s quality assurance process look like?

Greg: Quality assurance is a priority at every stage of our process. Adhesives must be reliable, consistent, and meet high-performance standards, so we employ a multi-stage quality control process to ensure this.

During initial formulation testing, we assess the product’s stability, bonding strength, and compatibility with various surfaces. Once we move into production, in-process quality checks help us monitor for any variances in real-time. After production, we conduct final verification tests to confirm that each batch meets established specifications, and we also carry out randomized post-production inspections for ongoing quality assurance.

This structured approach helps us maintain consistent quality across every batch, which is essential for building trust with end users.

Q: Sustainability is a growing focus in manufacturing. How does Meridian address sustainability in adhesive production?

Greg: Sustainability is definitely a priority for us, and we’re continually exploring ways to make our operations and products more environmentally friendly. For clients interested in eco-friendly products, we offer biodegradable formulations and ingredients that still perform effectively in adhesive applications.

We also provide sustainable packaging options, such as recyclable and compostable materials, which help brands meet eco-goals. Additionally, our facilities follow energy-efficient practices to reduce our carbon footprint.

Our commitment to sustainability allows clients to offer adhesives that appeal to environmentally conscious consumers, while also contributing to broader environmental efforts.

Q: To wrap up, what do you think makes Meridian a unique partner for private-label adhesive solutions?

Greg: Meridian’s strength lies in our end-to-end approach. We offer a comprehensive range of services, from formulation and packaging to scalable production and logistics, all under one roof. This means our clients can depend on us for everything they need to bring a high-quality adhesive product to market efficiently.

What sets us apart is our combination of technical expertise, flexibility, and commitment to quality. Our team’s knowledge and dedication to customers make it possible for us to offer a truly customized experience. Whether a brand is just starting out or expanding its product line, we provide the infrastructure, guidance, and support to help them succeed.