Case Study: Strate­gic Clar­i­ty with Eu­ro­pean Co-Man­u­fac­tur­ing Mar­ket Scan

The Challenge: Navigating Outsourcing Risks and Market Shifts 

Creamy Creation, a Dutch-based cream liqueur specialist operating globally, has spent more than a decade perfecting the art of blending premium cream with spirits to create indulgent alcoholic beverages. The company has grown into a mid-sized, internationally recognized player. 

Having outsourced some of its production, Creamy Creation began facing supply chain challenges and realized it was time to reassess its outsourcing strategy. In particular, they wanted to better understand the current European co-manufacturing landscape for packaging formats like cans, glass, and PET. After years of operating within a known network, they lacked up-to-date visibility on available technology, capacity, and cost structures across potential partners. 

They needed a fresh, impartial perspective. One that could help guide a make-versus-buy decision. 

The Cibus Nexum Solution: An Anonymous Market Scan and Benchmark Analysis 

Cibus Nexum was brought in through a trusted personal connection, offering a fast, budget-aligned proposal. With no real competitors under consideration, the company trusted Cibus Nexum’s independent approach and deep market knowledge. 

We executed:  

Anonymous Market Scan – Mapping the European co-manufacturing landscape across relevant packaging types (glass, PET, cans), capabilities, and technology readiness. Conversion Cost Benchmarking – Providing a side-by-side analysis of current co-manufacturing costs, enabling Creamy Creation to assess potential cost benefits or risks. 

The project began just two weeks after internal approval, demonstrating our ability to move quickly and decisively when client timing matters most. 

The Results: Strategic Insight for Smarter Decisions 

Thanks to the insights provided by Cibus Nexum, Creamy Creation gained a much-needed update on the co-manufacturing market in Europe – something they hadn’t revisited in many years. Our findings offered clear input for their internal make-versus-buy discussion, allowing them to move forward with more confidence and up-to-date knowledge. 

Whether they choose to expand outsourcing or reconfigure existing supply chains, Creamy Creation now has a benchmarked view of the market, detailing who’s operating, with what technology, and at what cost. 

Why Creamy Creation Chose Cibus Nexum 

Rather than navigating a sprawling market analysis on their own or turning to a generalist consultancy, Creamy Creation trusted Cibus Nexum because of our targeted expertise, impartial approach, and the strength of our network. 

Our ability to activate the project within two weeks of their go-ahead, combined with a budget-conscious offer, made Cibus Nexum the clear choice for this strategic outsourcing assessment. 

Lessons Learned: The Importance of Clear Scoping 

One key takeaway from this collaboration was the importance of tightly managing project scope, both at the start and throughout execution. As projects evolve, expectations can shift, and Cibus Nexum took this as a reminder to reinforce scoping discipline to ensure efficiency and alignment on both sides. 

Need Strategic Clarity on Your Outsourcing Options? 

Whether you’re looking to benchmark manufacturing costs, identify co-manufacturers, or simply understand what’s changed in the market, Cibus Nexum helps food companies make smarter outsourcing decisions. 

Reach out to explore how we can support your strategic planning.