Interview - Ben Shanley - Tancredi Foods

Have you ever wondered how certain businesses can afford to commission their very own range of private label products? Then wonder no more because you can have such an advantage too. We spoke with Ben Shanley, Owner of Tancredi Foods and discovered the benefits of contract manufacturing.

FFW: Who is behind Tancredi Foods?

TANCREDI FOODS:  Ben Shanley and Glen Findley started Tancredi Foods in 2003.

FFW: What product lines do you offer your contract manufacturing clients?

TANCREDI FOODS: We are able to make a range of gourmet salad dressings, caramelised balsamic, mayonnaise, relish, jam and dessert sauces.

FFW: Are all your products still manufactured here in Australia?

TANCREDI FOODS:  Everything is manufactured in our kitchen near Newcastle in the Hunter Valley.

FFW: Do you focus on natural ingredients?

TANCREDI FOODS:  We tailor our products to the client’s specification, but we specialise in premium products with clean labelling.

FFW: Would it be safe to say that your jams, relishes, mayonnaises, dessert sauces and dressings taste like home-made?

TANCREDI FOODS: While obviously a commercial product, for food safety we design our products to be as hand made as possible.

FFW: What kinds of clients are you working with?

TANCREDI FOODS:  We manufacture for a number of distributors, for small artisan producers who have grown bigger than their own premises and for businesses that want their own brand on a range.

FFW: Do you offer private label services?

TANCREDI FOODS:  Yes, and we also carry a number of clean skin lines for customers that just want to brand the product themselves.

FFW: What is the process for a company looking to commission Tancredi Foods to create products for them?

TANCREDI FOODS:  Please contact us and tell us what you are trying to achieve. We will send you samples of similar products and provide you with a quote. We will then tailor your products to your specification.

FFW: For what purposes to companies have these foods made for their businesses?

TANCREDI FOODS: It’s an opportunity for them to cost-effectively brand their own products, promote their own brand, or create unique corporate gifts.

FFW: What benchmarks of quality do you uphold?

TANCREDI FOODS: Our products are all chef-produced in small batches.

FFW: What would be the three biggest selling products in your range?

TANCREDI FOODS: Caramelised Balsamic, Garlic Aioli and Salted Caramel Dulce de Leche.

FFW: Are you able to customise particular foods to suit client requirements?

TANCREDI FOODS:  Yes, we specifically design products for individual clients.

FFW: Do you offer set package sizes or can clients nominate larger or smaller packs?

TANCREDI FOODS: We have a range of stocked glass jars and bottles, but can access a full range of sizes and designs.

FFW: If a client was in two minds about having private label foods created for them, what would you say to get them over the line?

TANCREDI FOODS: We can create great tasting products for them that they would be proud to associate with their business.  We can take care of every step of the process, making it efficient and easy.

FFW: What is the minimum order size for contract manufacturing?

TANCREDI FOODS: A batch of around 250 is our standard minimum, however there is no minimum for our clean skin products.

Has it ever occurred to you before, how easy it can be to have your very own line of private label products? Tancredi Foods makes it infinitely simple and there is no compromise on flavour or quality. Contact them today to discuss your own requirements.