Factory 18 is the Melbourne manufacturing facility behind Johnny Retro sauces, salts and rubs. It is where our own products are produced, packed and prepared for retail and foodservice.

In addition to manufacturing the Johnny Retro range, Factory 18 also offers co-manufacturing services for selected food businesses. This means we can use our facility, equipment and food-safety systems to manufacture suitable products for other brands, while the brand owner retains ownership of their recipe, product and intellectual property.

Food Co-Manufacturing at Factory 18

Looking for a reliable food co-manufacturer to produce your established recipe without taking control of your brand or intellectual property? Factory 18 provides small-batch co-manufacturing for food businesses that have already developed their product and need a professional manufacturing partner to bring it to market.

Based in Altona North, Melbourne, our HACCP-certified facility specialises in producing shelf-stable sauces, condiments, jams, chilli oils and related products for Australian food brands.

Our approach is simple: you retain ownership of your recipe, brand and intellectual property, while we focus on producing your product consistently, safely and professionally.

Manufacturing Without Taking Over Your Product

Many co-manufacturers prefer to manage the full process, including recipe development, ingredient sourcing, formulation and production. That model does not suit every brand.

Factory 18 is designed for food businesses that want to maintain control of their product. Where your recipe, specifications and compliance documentation are already established, we can focus specifically on manufacturing and packing your product.

This allows you to protect your intellectual property, maintain ownership of your formulation and work with a manufacturer that respects the work you have already invested in developing your brand.

Our Co-Manufacturing Capabilities

Our current manufacturing capabilities may include:

• Shelf-stable sauces and condiments
• Tomato-based sauces
• BBQ-style sauces
• Marinades and cooking sauces
• Jams, chutneys and relishes
• Chilli oils and infused oils
• Hot-fill glass bottling
• Small and emerging food brand production runs
• Batch cooking, filling, capping and packing

All products are assessed individually to confirm they are suitable for our facility, equipment, food safety system and production processes.

Who We Work With

Factory 18 is suited to established and emerging food brands that have completed the product-development stage and are ready to move into commercial production.

• Emerging food brands preparing for retail
• Established brands requiring additional manufacturing capacity
• Food businesses moving from kitchen-scale to commercial production
• Retailers developing an exclusive or private-label product
• Hospitality businesses looking to commercialise a signature sauce or condiment
• Brands seeking a Melbourne-based manufacturing partner

Your Recipe. Your Brand. Your Intellectual Property.

We understand that your recipe and product formulation are valuable business assets. Our role is to manufacture your product according to the agreed specification, not to take ownership of your recipe or brand.

Before manufacturing begins, the responsibilities of both parties should be clearly documented. This may include confidentiality arrangements, product specifications, ingredient responsibilities, intellectual-property ownership and manufacturing requirements.

Where appropriate, a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement can be put in place before detailed recipes and commercially sensitive information are shared.

Product Readiness and Compliance

Before a product can be accepted for co-manufacturing, it must be suitable for commercial production and supported by the appropriate product, ingredient and compliance documentation.

Depending on the product and the proposed arrangement, we may require:

• A finalised commercial recipe or master formulation
• A detailed finished-product specification
• A documented manufacturing method
• Ingredient specifications and Product Information Files
• Supplier declarations and allergen information
• Nutritional information and label content
• Food safety and shelf-life evidence
• Relevant laboratory or microbiological testing
• Packaging specifications
• Batch-size and production-volume requirements

Where additional technical, regulatory or validation work is required, you may need to engage a qualified food technologist or food regulatory consultant before production can proceed.

Client-Supplied Ingredients

We may consider manufacturing products using ingredients supplied or nominated by the brand owner, subject to review and approval.

All ingredients must be traceable, suitable for food manufacturing and supported by current supplier documentation. This may include Product Information Files, allergen declarations, certificates of analysis, ingredient specifications and evidence of approved sourcing.

The responsibilities for ingredient sourcing, supplier approval, allergen verification, storage, traceability and product compliance must be agreed before manufacturing begins.

Our Co-Manufacturing Process

1. Initial Enquiry: Tell us about your product, packaging, expected volumes and current stage of development.
2. Product Review: We assess the recipe, process, ingredients, packaging and production requirements.
3. Documentation Review: We confirm that the required product, ingredient and compliance information is available.
4. Trial Production: Where appropriate, a trial or pilot batch may be completed before commercial production.
5. Manufacturing Agreement: Production responsibilities, pricing, minimum volumes, specifications and intellectual-property arrangements are documented.
6. Commercial Production: Approved products are scheduled for manufacturing, filling and packing.

Why Manufacture with Factory 18?

• HACCP-certified food manufacturing facility
• Melbourne-based production in Altona North
• Small-batch manufacturing for growing food brands
• Experience producing sauces and condiments
• Hot-fill glass bottling capability
• A straightforward manufacturing-focused approach
• Respect for your recipe, brand and intellectual property
• Clear product, ingredient and compliance requirements
• A practical pathway from established recipe to commercial production

Is Your Product Ready for Co-Manufacturing?

Factory 18 is best suited to products that have already been developed, tested and documented. We do not automatically take over recipe development or become the owner of your formulation.

If your product is still at the early idea stage, you may first need assistance from a food technologist, product-development consultant or food regulatory specialist before it is ready for commercial manufacturing.

Request a Co-Manufacturing Assessment

Tell us about your product, current stage of development, packaging format and expected production volumes. We’ll review the information and let you know whether the product may be suitable for manufacturing at Factory 18.

Complete the co-manufacturing enquiry form below to start the assessment process.

Looking for Johnny Retro sauces for a restaurant or hospitality business? View our foodservice range.

Interested in stocking Johnny Retro in your store? Visit our Become a Stockist page.