Industry Member Spotlight: Alkuhme
This article appeared in the April 2026 issue of MiMfg Magazine. Read the full issue and find past issues online.
Alkuhme is behind 400 everyday products on store shelves throughout the country — but you wouldn’t know it.
The Auburn Hills company is a private label and contract packager that develops natural formulas for body wash, household cleaners, shampoo, laundry detergents and many other health, cleaning and beauty products. The business also blends, packages and ships the products — all while intentionally remaining inconspicuous.
“We are behind the scenes of a lot of big brands,” says President Steve Berry.
The Process
After clients contact Alkuhme with a concept for a green product, Alkuhme’s chemists and production floor professionals develop it from start to finish.
“Once we come up with a product, we go back and forth with the customer to get the consistency, smell and efficacy they like,” Berry explains.
Afterward, Alkuhme tests for shelf stability as well as standards for ecommerce deliveries. They also complete micro-testing in-house based on U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, ensuring the products do not contain yeast, mold or harmful bacteria. The initial development lasts about seven weeks, but they can offer quicker turnaround for urgent deadlines.
How We Motivate Our Team
We provide visual goals with results to clearly show the team what is needed and how they are doing.
Our Impact
We provide a quality manufacturing and formulating option for ecommerce and national brands.
Berry says large companies that develop green products on their own must often go through multiple internal channels but, with Alkuhme as a partner, results tend to come faster.
“We have debuted a client’s brand into Macy’s for a holiday launch within eight weeks from the first time we talked to her,” Berry says. “We have another customer who launches new ecommerce items every month. We get it developed and he keeps expanding.”
As with most manufacturers, Alkuhme’s biggest challenge is engaging production talent. The chemists are particularly difficult to find because they must work with unique chemistries at Alkuhme.
“We usually get graduates right out of college that have a chemistry degree and train them here,” Berry explains.
How We Measure Success
Against potential production on each individual line and in each area of the business.
How We’re Innovating
Constant new formulations and upgrading of products.
As for the best part of the job, that would be having front-row seats to experience customers’ joy upon the successful launch of their innovations.
“We have people that came in here with a napkin, saying this is their idea, and then we’ve created the formulas,” Berry says. “Our customers sometimes start small and later get landed into a big grocery chain and are elated. They get excited to see their product on the shelf.”
The Purpose
Berry began working in this field in the mid-2000s, focusing on automotive chemicals. After he pivoted into consumer products, he recognized how harsh traditional ingredients can be on skin, hair, building surfaces and the environment.
In 2017, he transformed his business to concentrate on using only renewable plants and minerals.
“When we first started, there were very limited ingredients that we could use to put our formulas together, so they were usually more expensive and didn’t work as well,” Berry adds. “Now, they’re about the same price and they work better.”
By pairing efficiency, scientific expertise, a spirit of innovation and a dedication to the health of consumers, Alkuhme gives businesses a rare advantage in bringing high-quality green products to market.
Alkuhme is an MMA Industry Member and has been an MMA member company since September 2024. Visit online: alkuhme.com.