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Today , consumers are better educated on what they want and need . They can now research product information and reviews on their mobile as they walk down a store aisle
complies with the regulatory requirements set by the US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ). Gary Schlatter , President and CEO , shares insights into OraLabs ’ inspiring story .
“ My journey in the industry began in 1990 , with the introduction of an affordable teeth whitening product for consumers for use at home , an untapped market at the time . However , after 18 months on the market , the FDA changed its stance on teeth whitening , considering it a drug rather than a cosmetic . Although the FDA later reversed its position , I had already shifted my focus from whitening products to whitening toothpaste . After a patent dispute and a packaging lawsuit related to the whitening toothpaste , I sold the formula to a leading whitening brand . With the funds from that sale , I developed Ice Drops breath freshener , OraLabs ’ flagship product . During this time , I was working from my condo and leased a room from a food producer , where I manually made the product with support from contract labor . From my car , I delivered the products primarily to convenience stores and gas stations . As I started gaining more traction , I acquired a filling machine , enabling me to conduct packaging and formula revisions , eventually achieving the perfect product .
“ Fast forward to 1995 , and I had successfully shipped 36 million bottles of Ice Drops breath freshener . Indeed , at that time ,
I was selling my products to approximately 100,000 convenience stores . However , as larger brands began to notice this success and acquire space in convenience stores , I saw the need to innovate and create a new product to continue growing . Therefore , I developed a mini lip balm which was not only inexpensive to produce but also sold for half the cost of other lip balms on the market . Its success along with liquid breath freshener allowed me to further develop my expertise in the production of hot fill products , which created the foundation of what is now more than 20 filling lines , multiple products and more than 100 million units per year at OraLabs . Marking the beginning of OraLabs as we know it today , I purchased our current headquarters and manufacturing plant in 2003 ,” he adds .
From its experimental beginnings as a one-man band , OraLabs quickly evolved into a widely renowned brand through its vast range of products and services . “ In terms of services , we have a 14-year licensing agreement to manufacture , market and distribute brands owned by Procter and Gamble ( P & G ), develop and create private label store brands for major retailers , and offer contract manufacturing to other prominent brand owners . Additionally , OraLabs has its own range of retail brands and makes products for the promotional products sector .
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