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Author Hannah Rubery Categories E-Liquid, Manufacturing, Xyfil Updates Posted on

The Importance of Market Research

Why is market research so important?

For your products and services to be well-received by consumers, you must know who your target consumers are and what it is they are looking for. Market research helps provide you with this essential information from your competitors and existing products. No one wants to launch a product that simply gets swept away by other similar ones. Finding your niche or targeting consumers un-fulfilled needs is key to success.

Those who already have existing products and services may already have a wealth of information that can help to understand consumers. In turn, they reveal key aspects relevant to launching a new product or service. Assessing key trends and anticipating the market are just one of the elements of market research. If there’s a gap in the market, then you want to be the first to know about it. Even for those already established, keeping in touch with the customers’ needs as well as market trends can give you an edge over your competitors.

Where do you begin – How to plan market research

It all begins with a plan. Knowing what you are trying to accomplish and what information you will need for your product/service launch is a great start. There are things you can do yourself such as speaking with potential customers or performing your own analysis of your topic. Of course, there are also ways to outsource your market research that helps to offer an outside opinion that’s truly unbiased, allowing you to gather rich qualitative and quantitative data.

By completing effective market research, you can hope to develop new and effective marketing strategies. Solve your business’ biggest challenges, investigate expansion opportunities, and identify how to tap into these opportunities. In this effort, we reached out to deal with Groundswell Innovation, a goal-driven company with 12 years of experience in helping companies make a return on investment.

Our work with Groundswell Innovation

Groundswell Innovation is a Northern Powerhouse Partner and being based in Preston, alongside a proven track record of success with previous clients, helped us to choose them as a means for market research. Having worked alongside other manufacturing businesses and well-known companies such as Visa Europe, BT Openreach and the Public Sector, we were confident in their abilities. 

We were fortunate enough to work alongside Groundswell Innovation to help us understand and achieve our goal for an upcoming product*.

The exceptional team helped to provide us with rich qualitative data (conducting 12 interviews with Mobility Healthcare Professionals) and quantitative research conducted by two students from Lancaster University – a great partnership that not only benefits local companies but local students.

The research exceeded our expectations and was well executed within the tight deadline.

“I think it's crucial to work with a company like Groundswell who understand what your objective is, because they will work to reach (and exceed) your expectations and execute the deliverables on time... And any work that they do will be fully backed up and fully researched.”

Nikita, Production Manager at Xyfil.

The questions we wanted answering through market research were:

  • How best can we commercialise our new product?
  • Is there a clear space for it on the market?
  • How do we create a clear and credible ‘go to market’ plan?

And we were not disappointed by the evidence-based strategy provided by Groundswell Innovation. By helping us to define the key messages of the product and providing competitor’s analysis plus feedback, we’ve been able to take a decisive step forward with the future of this new product.

Here at Xyfil, we pride ourselves in also being able to help our customers through their journey in the market. With our 10+ years of experience in the market, alongside valuable insights gained from working with partners like Groundswell Innovation, you can rest assured that we will take your brand from concept to reality and all the way to market.

*Please note, the product cannot be named due to its commercially confidential nature.

Get to know us more and meet the team over on LinkedIn.

Author Hannah Rubery Categories E-Liquid, Manufacturing, Xyfil Updates Posted on

The Future of E-Liquid Manufacture After Brexit

While Brexit may have shaken up many businesses and worried others about its implications, the vaping industry is one that we feel could benefit from this sudden shift. It certainly came as a surprise from some when much of the country voted to go ahead with Brexit. Immediately concerns were raised about how the UK would handle the change. From trade deals to an economic crisis, everything was on the table and the pandemic didn’t help. But there may be a silver lining for those in the vaping industry.

Pre-Brexit industry

The UK is currently regulated under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR), the equivalent of the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). These regulations cover:

  • Bottles of nicotine-containing E-Liquids containing no more than 10ml
  • Disposable E-Cigarettes and single use cartridges or tanks must not exceed 2ml in volume
  • E-Liquids must not include harmful ingredients that pose a risk to health in a heated or unheated form
  • Nicotine strength in nicotine-containing products is restricted to a maximum of 20mg/ml
  • All nicotine-containing E-Liquids must be first passed by the MHRA before they can be sold

There are also strict rules around the packaging and labelling of these products to ensure that they are not aimed at young people and children, and clear warnings that the product contains nicotine. In the UK in particular, our regulations also include that these products cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18.

Post-Brexit industry

With the newfound freedom there will undoubtedly be reviews on many of the UK’s laws and regulations that were previously imposed by members of the EU. As the UK has always been a staunch supporter of vaping as a safer alternative to smoking, with the means of aiding smoking cessation, it is very likely that these regulations could be amended.

With an ambitious target of making the UK smoke-free by 2030, it’s certainly in the UK government’s best interests to take another look at the rules and regulations that could potentially be hampering some from making the change.

Although of course, the vape market is not the only thing to be hit by Brexit. There have been many issues, not just due to Brexit, with imports and exports of goods. Between Brexit and COVID-19, it’s hard to say for certain which contributed more to the prevailing issues. As trade agreements fall into place, the issues will be ironed out in time.

This year, manufacturers are seeing the need to drive inefficiency and delays from their supply chains by deploying highly flexible ecosystems that let them handle disruption. It’s an unfortunate fact that while things are still stabilising, we may have to get used to disruption in the long-term. Establishing a resilient supply chain is quickly becoming a necessity for manufacture.

At Xyfil we had established risk management systems before the pandemic, to ensure flexibility with our suppliers. We created backups for our suppliers and backups for those. These prior plans really showed in our ability to remain open without a single day of manufacturing lost because of our extensive strategies. Making sure that your supply chain remains running is but one of the ways to keep your manufacturing business devoid of disruption.

The Possibilities of the Future

Talks are soon to go ahead regarding the way vaping is treated by governments, and although the EU may be bending to the will of the WHO (World Health Organisation) and their aggressive stance against vaping, the UK is in a great position to make impactful changes.

For vapers and businesses, making changes to the tank size, amount of E-Liquid, nicotine strength levels and restrictions on advertising could have a massive impact in the UK. By making changes to these things, it would allow brands to create more diverse ranges of products, tailored even more towards those looking to quit smoking.

Often, 20mg/ml is not enough for smokers to make the change as they don’t get the strong nicotine hit, they need. This ends up ultimately turning them back towards smoking. Similarly, by being able to properly advertise vaping products, businesses would be able to reach more people than before and be able to proactively help smokers make the change to a less harmful alternative.

What do you think? Has Brexit impacted your business for better or for worse? Keep posted with us for any new developments in the E-Liquid and CBD industry.

Flavor Development
Author Hannah Rubery Categories CBD, Compliance, E-Liquid, Production, Regulations, Xyfil Updates Posted on

Flavour Development – E-Liquid and CBD

E-liquid and CBD product sales margins don’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. In fact, some sources predict they’re set to climb by at least 20% between now and 2027. Now is the perfect time to get ahead of the curve.

Here at Xyfil we are experts in helping you develop your CBD or E-Liquid product, from initial idea development right through to creation, regulation compliance, and packaging design. The market for E-Liquids is competitive with new brands/products appearing every day. To stand out in this growing market and get ahead you must get creative when developing your next product flavour. 

Define Your E-Liquid with Flavour

With so much competition now on the market, offering something that’s new but has the staying power to build a loyal fanbase is key. Your product packaging and logo may be enticing to new customers, but what really keeps them coming back is the experience of a great product. Flavours are obviously a big factor in a customer’s choice when picking their E-Liquid or CBD vape. So whether you are looking to bring a new variation to an existing, popular flavour, or a completely new experience, research is key. Much research has found that fruit flavours rank highly amongst most vapers, albeit only by a little more. This doesn’t mean that other flavours such as menthol, desserts, drinks and tobacco should be ignored, it means there’s room for improvement which very well could be your next venture!

Let us lead you through the best route for flavour development. 

Eliquid

E-Liquid Essentials: Safety Regulations 

First things first, ensure your flavour producers are safe, regulated, and reliable. Not only is this an essential for sale in store or online across the UK and European Union, it ensures safety and consistency in your product, and builds trust in your customer base. 

Our  ISO 7 Laboratory testing at  Xyfil meets the highest standards of compliance, meeting full Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), toxicology and safety analysis requirements. Alongside stringent testing and safety measures and a dedicated, expert team of scientists, we maintain full traceability of all of our products. Throughout the production process, we closely monitor the quality and safety of our product, through employee traceability reports, raw material sample collections, and comprehensive recording of ingredients and product processes. 

Working with Xyfil means working with an industry leading team you can trust. When you’re trying to get ahead of the competition, make sure your production is as straightforward as possible and save yourself the stress. We’ve got you covered.

Creating A Bestselling Flavour 

Flavour development starts with focusing on your base taste. How are you going to create this, and what combination is key? Working with our dedicated team of flavour experts is central to developing a top selling CBD or E-Liquid product, with a flavour that sells.

Our flavour ranges are some of the broadest on the market - from apple and cherry menthol to blueberry ice, Cuban Crème and caramel latte. Our in-house research and development teams work consistently to explore and develop new flavour bases and combinations based on the latest scientific findings and insider market research. Whether you already know your exact flavour or have an idea on the taste you wish to create, Xyfil will help your dream become a reality.

Alongside a diverse and inspiring range of flavours to choose from, our cannabidiol is sustainably sourced from a premium, award-winning supplier. We also offer 100% organic CBD Isolate, full-spectrum CBD, MCT oil and flavoured terpenes as needed. 

How We Keep Your Flavour Safe

Confidentiality you can trust is essential to successful white label manufacturing. Setting your flavour, branding, and product marketing in stone will ensure your success over your competitors.  We’re proud to say our infrastructure, processes, and working systems are all centred around a secure protection of intellectual property and full confidentiality for all projects. Alongside compiling non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) as standard, we also include data masking measures such as advanced encryption and pseudonym systems. These methods ensure your product and specific flavour profiles are kept strictly between you and the dedicated project team in question. 

So, What Next? 

Drop us a message to get your product journey underway - it’s going to be a bestseller; we can already tell. 

Author Huw Leave a comment Categories Manufacturing, Regulations, White Label, Xyfil Updates Posted on

How To Launch Your E-Liquid Brand in 2021.

Getting To Grips With The Market

In the 5 years between 2014 and 2019, e-cigarette sales rose by $12.3billion, and estimates suggest the current number of adults who vape could be around 55 million. With the industry growing quicker than ever before, there has never been a better time to launch your e-cigarette brand on the vape market. As a leading CBD and E-liquid manufacturer with clients worldwide, we know better than most the challenges faced by new producers breaking into the market. Let us talk you through the launch process.

Gaining Legal Recognition

So, you’ve worked with a top team of producers, manufacturers and designers – maybe us! - to turn your product ideas into a tangible, ready-to-market product. Nice work. What next?  

As you might expect, there’s a good number of regulations you’ll need to be compliant with, along with gaining respective approvals, before you can sell on the market legally. In the UK, these are governed by the MHRA (Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency). 

The TRPR (Tobacco and Related Products Regulations Act) updated by the EU Exit Amendment 2020 is your main point of essential compliance, and producers must submit information about their products to the MHRA to ensure full compliance via the MHRA Submissions Portal and European Common Entry Gate (EU-CEG). Submission is recommended six months before you intend to put your product on the market for sale. Turnaround time from submission to receiving approval can take up to 60 days, and fees do apply. 

As producer, it is your responsibility to ensure your products comply with TRPR requirements. Once the MHRA are satisfied your product complies, it is recorded as “declared” and you are free to supply your product for public sale in the UK. Our compliance team can help with this process to make sure that everything is up to standards.

The Perfect Marketing Window

Receiving legal status is half the battle. Once you’re confident you can place your product on store shelves with ease, it could be all too easy to take your foot off the gas. But don’t stop here! This is the perfect opportunity to amp up your marketing campaign to increase your audience and generate your first sales. 

Make the most of your social media channels: post partnership content or discount codes for purchases through your new suppliers to direct traffic. Paid promotions across your platforms will also be a great opportunity to capture new potential customers who may not already be aware of your brand. Recent newcomers, JUUL, had excellent success with these techniques back in 2017 – their social media engagement rose from a monthly average of 765 in 2015 to 30,565 in 2017, and they managed to capture more than half of the entire e-cigarette market share by the end of 2017!

Time To Get Started!

Hopefully, our handy run down of launching an E-liquid brand on the market has given you a better understanding of how the process works. While it can seem overwhelming, being prepared and consulting the experts are some sure-fire ways to make your first product launch as smooth and seamless as possible. If you need help with any aspect of CBD production, marketing, or launch – why not drop us a line? Get in touch at info@xyfil.com.

Author Huw Leave a comment Categories Community, Xyfil Updates Posted on

Xyfil arrange an awesome staff BBQ.

As a big thank you to the Xyfil family for all their hard work and dedication, we arranged an awesome staff BBQ, supplied and beautifully presented by A2Z BBQ catering. Everyone was invited from across the business … production, operations, marketing, sales, accounts and HR.

Xyfil Family

Sometimes you just have to take five and remember we’re all part of something huge, it’s important we acknowledge everyone by saying thank you and letting you all know, it’s much appreciated, you’re really valued and if it’s right on the inside, it’s great on the outside!

Thanks to the amazing guys at A2Z for a delicious feast, you can find A2Z and their service by following the link: https://www.instagram.com/a2zbbqcatering/

2019/20 - BBQ
Author Huw Leave a comment Categories Hand Sanitiser, Xyfil Updates Posted on

Xyfil on the front line of hand sanitiser production in the UK.

Xyfil – Press Release

In 2020, Xyfil diverted 80% of its operations to the production of hand sanitisers and PPE. With over 50,000 bottles of alcohol-based sanitiser every day, our production facility is at the frontline of hand sanitiser manufacturing in the UK.

Our team from compliance, R&D, production, design and engineering have joined forces to support the project and get it off the ground in record-breaking time. Xyfil CEO Mr Hansrod stated:

“Our clean rooms and physical bottle supplies on the ground make us ideally placed to help serve this emergency, but it is the desire of our teams and suppliers to help and feel useful at this time of need that has got this project realised. We are incredibly proud of the work everyone has done.”

At over 50,000 bottles of alcohol-based hand sanitiser produced per day, Xyfil’s production facility is at the frontline of this national crisis, supporting NHS Trusts, local care homes and pharmacies that are currently struggling to provide enough hand sanitiser for everyone. Xyfil’s hand sanitiser formulation, which is as per WHO (World Health Organisation) guidelines, kills 99.9% of all bacteria - with a little something added to be kind to your hands.

The Preston manufacturer is well-equipped for large-scale bottling and labelling, with ISO 7 laboratory facilities and a fast-paced production line. As manufacturing operations diversify, Xyfil is recruiting extra staff during this time and retaining key employees on site to keep up with the high demand. E-liquid manufacturing remains active within the business and suppliers are still encouraged to make enquires and orders.

Supporting the local community is an important factor for the company directors. Hand sanitiser will be provided to local NHS Trusts, pharmacies and care home providers as a priority. The general public will also be able to purchase hand sanitiser products from Xyfil’s retail and distribution partner, My Vapery at www.myvapery.com.

Xyfil is calling all care home providers, pharmacies, NHS Trusts and other frontline institutions that require hand sanitiser to get in touch on 01772 888 778 or to visit www.xyfil.com for more information.

If you would like more information on this release, please direct all press enquires to info@xyfil.com, or call +44(0)1772 888 778. www.xyfil.com
Xyfil Ltd T/A My Vapery 15-19 Sedgwick Street, Preston, PR1 1TP, United Kingdom.
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