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AS PRIVATE LABEL MANUFACTURERS, INNOVATION IS OUR MOTTO

Innovation is one of HSA’s core values, the guiding light that has allowed us to become leaders in the private label manufacturing industry. So, in order to celebrate that and share a little bit more about HSA’s story, we’ve decided to have a chat with Paolo Delle Piane, our Strategic Marketing Director, who is going to give us an insight into the inner workings of HSA. Here we go!
Private label manufacturers: HSA's innovation

Q: HI PAOLO, THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHAT WITH US! HOW ABOUT YOU SHARE A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR ROLE AT HSA?

A: Hey guys! Sure, my pleasure. I am currently the Strategic Marketing Director of all HSA’s divisions: corporate, skin & hair care private label, brand.

 

My job has 2 objectives: sharing and communicating the values and worth of HSA with the world, so that it gets recognized as one of the best private label cosmetic manufacturers worldwide; studying and developing new and innovative color, care & treatment products for hair & skin.

Q: WOW, THAT’S SOME SERIOUS MULTITASKING! AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT “INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS” I’D LIKE TO KNOW: WHAT DOES INNOVATION MEAN TO YOU?

A: Innovation today means many things to me: first of all, innovation is a work ethic and a method. It’s not just about creativity and “inventing” things that have never been seen before. Innovation is a true process that needs to be handled, coordinated and planned at a company-wide level, in order to stay competitive on the market with a unique value proposition.

 

Then, innovation to us is a true mindset: we approach all aspects of our job with innovation. Innovation of the projects, of the processes, of how we approach the market, of the communication strategies, and of the products.

 

Innovation is a daily business! We have people internally who work constantly and specifically to find new products that embody the concept of innovation.


And finally, innovation means taking a risk. Jumping into the unknown of going out on the market with a product that has never been seen before...to blow consumers’ minds.

Q: THAT’S VERY INTERESTING, THANK YOU! AND WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU WHEN YOU ENTER HSA’S DOORS?

A: Well, it depends! No day is really like the other here. Some days are fixed and I call them “progress”: we take all the new projects and discuss them in detail with all the teams who are going to take part in their development, so that the information is known and shared within everyone.

 

Other days are multi-layered with different activities: studying the international beauty market; dealing with the clients’ requests (which happens on the daily, trust me!); evaluating and testing new products; implementing all the new communication strategies we’ve developed for the company both internally and externally.

 

It’s a lot, but somebody’s gotta do it!

Q: WOW, I FEEL TIRED FOR YOU MAN! AND WHEN YOU FINALLY GET TO THE END OF YOUR DAY, WHAT IS THE THING THAT GRATIFIES YOU THE MOST?

A: There are actually many things about what I do that make me really proud. But most of all, knowing that I’ve helped HSA in taking one step forward to becoming one of the best and highest recognized private label cosmetic companies in the world.

 

When I see requests coming in from every Continent and from big, very well known brands, I know we’re on the right track to something really amazing. And that’s when I feel most gratified.

Q: I BET! THAT IS TRULY AMAZING. AND WHEN YOU DO R&D, WHERE DO YOU USUALLY FIND INSPIRATION?

A: Inspiration comes from different sources. One is for sure our Trends Forecaster, where we share knowledge and market research with “colleagues” from all over the world, about the upcoming beauty trends. And I also do my own research! I’m always looking at indie brands and little beauty start ups (mostly on social media) to see what’s new on the market and what consumers are looking for.

 

We are also very involved with international fairs and webinars, especially regarding ingredients and raw materials: mushrooms, superfoods, exotic fruits...stuff that has never been used in beauty before!

Q: DO YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE A FAVORITE PRODUCT? ONE YOU KEEP CLOSE TO YOUR HEART?
Private label manufacturers for innovative products

A: I actually have many, I feel like they’re all my babies. One is for sure a face mask that is very very peculiar - sorry, I can’t tell you more, it’s still a secret! I’m just very proud about it because I’ve named a beauty category that today doesn’t exist yet. You’ll see it on the market soon, don’t worry.

 

I’m also very attached to our sanitizing product line for hair and skin. It’s very clean, with antibacterial natural ingredients, and it’s very pleasing and stimulating to all the senses, sight, touch and smell specifically.

Q: NOW I’VE GOTTA ASK, CURIOSITY IS EATING AT ME. HAVE YOU EVER RECEIVED A FUNNY/BIZARRE REQUEST FROM A CLIENT?

A: Well, yes. And let me tell you, more than once! I’ve actually received a few lately regarding the development of products for the care of private body parts. Which is undoubtedly funny, I see that. But trust me when I say that this is a micro-trend that is getting bigger and bigger!

 


We were actually amongst the first ones to manufacture such kinds of products for a Scandinavian brand, which is having a huge success. And we still can’t believe the amount of pieces we keep producing, it’s amazing!

Q: AND WHEN YOU GET A CHALLENGING REQUEST TO DEVELOP SOMETHING THAT IS A LITTLE ODD OR EVEN UNKNOWN, BECAUSE IT HAS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE, HOW DO YOU APPROACH IT?

A: With an open mind! Flexibility is probably our biggest flex - sorry for the wordplay - which allows us to open up to new projects pretty quickly and easily. We are not scared of challenges and our labs are ready to work on the clients’ brief no matter how challenging it may be, as long as we’re in it together!

Q: SO, LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WHY DO YOUR CLIENTS PICK HSA INSTEAD OF A COMPETITOR? WHAT MAKES HSA UNIQUE?

A: Definitely, our great know-how in the hair color department. We are actually known worldwide as the leading private label hair color manufacturers.

 

Generally speaking, clients come to us because of the high level of personalization we offer, regarding all aspects of a product: color, texture, fragrance, actives, ingredients. So much so that we are able to offer over 6 billion color combinations. Most manufacturers can’t do that.


Also, we refer to our clients as “partners” because we establish a kind of relationship that benefits the both of us: we are open to invest in the development of new formulations and lab tests FOR the client, with no extra fee. Because we see it as a chance that can grow both of our businesses and want to be a part of it ourselves.
HSA, private label manufacturer

Well, that’s all folks! It was a very interesting insight into how HSA works. The level of innovation in its private label activity is through the roof. Awesome! Thank you so much Paolo for sharing your time and knowledge with us.

 

And if you’d like to have your own chat with Paolo about how HSA can develop a cosmetic line for your brand, please get in touch! He’ll be happy to answer all of your questions.

 

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