ABOUT TALOS GROUP

Expertise at the center.
Production in motion.

We help companies develop products, make better manufacturing decisions, and bring production programs to life.

MISSOURI-BASED
SERVING BUSINESSES NATIONWIDE

A PRACTICAL MANUFACTURING PARTNER

One clear point of contact.
A wider world of capability.

Led by Blaine Conway, CEO, Talos Group is a manufacturing and business consulting company specializing in commercial freeze drying, food processing, ingredient sourcing, and consumer packaged goods.

Our work connects the technical details of manufacturing with the decisions that matter to your business: what to make, how to make it, who should produce it, and what it will take to scale.

We work with a selected network of processing, packaging, ingredient, and equipment partners. That lets us design a production approach around your project’s needs rather than a single facility’s equipment.

From a focused sourcing request to a complete cooking, freeze-drying, and co-packing program, our team helps define the plan and coordinate the work.

WHAT DRIVES OUR WORK

Good decisions.
Made before production.

Practical guidance for the details that determine whether a manufacturing program works.

Commercial thinking

Capacity, yield, cost per unit, capital investment, and operating expenses belong in the same conversation.

Fit for your product

Process requirements, ingredients, inspection needs, packaging, and the target market guide partner selection.

Coordinated execution

A clear scope and aligned suppliers help connect development, manufacturing, and packaged-product delivery.

WHERE WE CAN HELP

Build with us.
Or build your own.

Use our network for production, bring us in to plan your own operation, or combine both as your business grows.

Explore our capabilities
  • Contract & toll processing, with a freeze-drying specialty
  • Freeze-dried ingredient sourcing
  • Commercial freeze-dryer selection & procurement
  • Cooking, freeze-drying & co-packing facility planning
  • Product development & commercialization
  • Business strategy & manufacturing cost analysis
  • Turnkey CPG manufacturing & packaging

BUILT AROUND YOUR REQUIREMENTS

The right process.
The right production partner.

Processing and packaging options through our network, matched to the product and market you’re serving.

  • SQF
  • USDA Organic
  • USDA
  • FDA
  • Kosher
  • Halal

Certification, inspection, and regulatory requirements are confirmed for each project and selected facility. USDA refers to inspected production; FDA refers to regulated food processing.

PROCESSING & FREEZE-DRYING QUESTIONS

Plan your next
production step.

Practical answers for brands, ingredient buyers, and companies building their own operation.

Discuss your project
What is the difference between contract manufacturing and toll processing?

In a toll-processing project, you typically supply the material and pay for an agreed processing service. A contract-manufacturing program can also include sourcing ingredients, coordinating multiple processing steps, and packaging a finished product. Talos scopes responsibilities, specifications, material supply, and packaging with you before choosing the production approach.

Can I send my own product for commercial freeze drying?

Yes. Talos coordinates toll freeze drying for customer-supplied materials through its manufacturing partner network. Send the product description, input format, estimated wet weight, desired finished format, and timing. We review product suitability, handling requirements, and whether a pilot run is needed before arranging production.

What products can Talos help freeze dry?

We evaluate projects involving human food, prepared meals, sauces, proteins, fruits, vegetables, pet treats, and ingredients. Commercial freeze drying, also called lyophilization, requires a process suited to the specific material. Product acceptance, preparation, food-safety controls, drying requirements, and packaging are confirmed with the selected processing partner.

Can Talos manage a complete freeze-dried product launch?

Yes. We can coordinate product development, ingredient sourcing, pilot runs, cooking, freeze drying, blending, co-packing, and packaging. The scope is built around your product, budget, and production requirements. Early-stage concepts and established brands are welcome.

Do you offer processing beyond freeze drying?

Yes. Talos coordinates contract and toll processing that can include cooking, blending, co-packing, and packaging through its manufacturing partner network. You can contact us for a single processing step or an integrated manufacturing program. Freeze drying is our specialty, and it does not have to be part of every project.

Do you work with both human food and pet treats?

Yes. Talos supports human food, pet treats, freeze-dried ingredients, and consumer packaged goods. We match each program to its product requirements and the appropriate processing and packaging partners.

Can you source bulk freeze-dried ingredients?

Yes. We help source freeze-dried fruits, vegetables, proteins, and other ingredients for food formulations and pet products. Share your ingredient, preferred cut or powder format, order volume, specifications, and any certification requirements so we can evaluate supply options.

Can you help us buy a commercial freeze-dry machine?

Yes. Talos supports commercial freeze-dryer selection and procurement. We help compare equipment against your product, practical capacity, utilities, capital budget, and operating costs. We also evaluate how cooking, freezing, material handling, and packaging fit around the dryer. Equipment availability and purchase terms are confirmed for each project.

Can you help us set up or improve our own manufacturing facility?

Yes. We provide manufacturing and business consulting for cooking, freeze-drying, and co-packing operations. Projects can cover facility and process planning, equipment selection, capacity modeling, staffing assumptions, cost per unit, operating expenses, and business strategy. The consulting scope is tailored to the decisions you need to make.

What processing and certification options are available?

Through our processing and packaging network, we can arrange options for SQF, USDA Organic, USDA-inspected production, FDA-regulated food processing, Kosher, and Halal requirements. Availability and applicable certification or inspection scope are confirmed for the selected facility and your product.

What information do you need for a processing quote?

Start with your product or ingredient, the service you need, and how to reach you. If available, include whether you supply the material, estimated batch size or annual volume, target timing, packaging format, and inspection or certification requirements. You do not need a finished specification to start the conversation.

Is there a standard minimum order or lead time?

Minimums, pricing, and lead times depend on the product, process, packaging, and manufacturing partner. We review pilot projects as well as recurring commercial programs. Contact Talos with your requirements so we can evaluate fit and available production options.

LET’S BUILD WHAT’S NEXT

Your product.
A clear path to production.

Have a specification ready? Send the details. Still developing the idea? Tell us what you want to make. We’ll help define the next step.