Colombia returns to PLMA and is part of The Store Brands Phenomenon 2024 in Chicago 

Los Angeles, Nov. 12, 2024 – Colombia’s robust presence at this year’s Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) trade show showcases its growing status as a premier private label manufacturer. Representing a wide array of innovative products and solutions, eleven Colombian food companies and seven non-food companies will present their advanced, sustainable, and reliable offerings—opening new possibilities for U.S. brands. The Store Brands Phenomenon 2024 – Empowering the Retail Industry will take place from November 17-19 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, providing a vital platform for Colombia to exhibit its leadership in private label manufacturing.

With a strong commitment to quality and operational excellence, the Colombian companies participating at PLMA pride themselves on their logistical efficiency and responsiveness. Noteworthy exhibitors in the food sector include:

• Manitoba: With 25 years of experience in nut and dried fruit snacks, Manitoba is renowned for its premium quality and rigorous certifications, including FDA, HACCP, ISO 9001, OEA, and BASC. Their products are carefully crafted to meet international standards, ensuring high customer satisfaction.
• Glopack: Known for producing unique specialty salts, custom seasoning blends, and a variety of packaging solutions, Glopack specializes in delivering innovative and customized seasoning products tailored to the U.S. market.
• Nebraska: A top producer of high-quality dulce de leche and sweetened condensed milk, Nebraska stands out for its HACCP and GMP certifications, underlining its commitment to safe and superior food production practices.
• Natural Harvest: Dedicated to transforming regional fruits like avocado and aloe into healthy, sustainable products, Natural Harvest is certified by BASC and registered with the FDA, offering health-focused products to meet the increasing U.S. demand for functional foods.
• USP: Specializing in wheat flour tortillas and corn chips, USP has over a decade of experience in developing private labels for Colombia and Latin America, delivering customized solutions in the snack food category.
• Al’fresco: A trusted private label manufacturer across South America and the Caribbean, Al’fresco provides sauces, vinegars, and a diverse range of packaged vegetables and fruits, adhering to international quality standards.
• La Soberana: Known for its high-quality cornmeal products and extensive line of canned goods, grains, and pasta, La Soberana emphasizes quality and variety, meeting the diverse needs of global markets.
• Hiplantro: This innovative herbal tea producer focuses on functional, eco-friendly teas made from 100% natural ingredients. At PLMA, Hiplantro will introduce “Tea Tonic,” a new product designed to enhance wellness through natural ingredients.

Beyond the food sector, Colombian companies excel in the production of personal care, cleaning, skincare, packaging, and oral care products. These non-food companies use high-quality raw materials, often incorporating natural ingredients, to create innovative and sustainable products that meet the demands of environmentally conscious consumers.

Highlighting Colombia’s Non-Food Exhibitors:

• Berhlan: With over two decades of experience, Berhlan sources certified raw materials from leading global suppliers to create products that emphasize both sustainability and performance. Their formulations incorporate eco-friendly ingredients to minimize environmental impact without sacrificing quality.
• Cannaxia: A white-label manufacturer focused on cost-effective personal care products, Cannaxia offers customized formulations for hair, face, and body products, carefully balancing quality and affordability to meet client-specific needs.
• Eco Pacs: Leading the way in sustainable packaging and ultra-concentrated cleaning products, Eco Pacs innovates by removing water from traditional cleaning solutions. This approach optimizes logistics, cuts costs, and eliminates the need for rigid plastic packaging, aligning with global sustainability goals.
• Essenpro: With 50 years of expertise in the cosmetics and personal care sector, Essenpro offers private labeling, turnkey solutions, and custom formulations across facial, hair, oral, and body care products. Known for high-quality standards, Essenpro tailors products to diverse market needs.
• LPS: Specializing in biodegradable products, LPS uses advanced technology to manufacture recycled and natural bottles, with PET or HDPE options available. LPS is certified by Bureau Veritas for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, ensuring compliance with international quality and environmental standards.
• Macrolab: Innovating within the oral care space, Macrolab customizes products using renewable sources such as PLA for traditional items and silk for biodegradable floss. Their eco-conscious approach includes cardboard packaging with vegetable-based inks.
• Unibol: A large-scale paper manufacturer, Unibol produces paper from 100% recycled fibers, which supports forest conservation and extends landfill life by repurposing materials that would otherwise be discarded.

Why Colombia Stands Out as an Export Platform for Private Labels

With its strategic geographical location, advanced logistics, and adaptable manufacturing capabilities, Colombia has become a preferred export platform for private label products. One of its key advantages is strong connectivity; Colombian ports provide direct routes to the U.S., ensuring efficient transit options. Cartagena de Indias, for example, connects to eight major U.S. ports with competitive shipping times ranging from just 3 to 16 days, allowing for faster delivery and cost-effective logistics.

Additionally, Colombia offers convenient lead times and flexible minimum order quantities, making it easy for U.S. buyers to meet diverse market needs. Colombian companies are well-equipped to accommodate competitive production schedules and adaptable order sizes, giving brands the flexibility needed to thrive in a dynamic market.

Carmen Caballero, president of ProColombia, underscores the valuable role of ProColombia’s U.S. office in supporting U.S. retailers, distributors, and buyers: “Our U.S. office is a vital resource for those seeking reliable Colombian manufacturers for private label products. We offer services at no cost, including supplier matchmaking, technical support, guidance on tariffs and trade agreements, logistics information, and opportunities for business matchmaking.” Caballero adds, “By leveraging ProColombia’s expertise and network, U.S. retailers and distributors can confidently explore Colombia’s competitive manufacturing landscape to diversify their supply chains, source innovative products, and reduce costs.”

Colombia is a recognized leader in private label household cleaning products, which represented 27% of cleaning product sales in Colombia in 2023. Supermarkets, hypermarkets, and discount stores account for 48.4% of household cleaning product distribution, driving private label growth and aligning with global trends.

Colombia also holds a significant export market in cosmetics and personal care, with more than 33% of national production destined for international markets. In 2023, exports in this sector reached US$ 764,5 million, with the United States ranking as the sixth largest destination, accounting for US$36,4 million.

The Store Brands Phenomenon 2024 will bring together over 800 international suppliers, with more than 50 country pavilions representing 60 nations. Visitors will have the exclusive opportunity to discover Colombia’s distinctive products and capabilities, showcased among 1,800 exhibitors and over 3,000 booths.