# R&D RADIO: Building a Reliable Formula Brand with Casey Bauer, COO, Bobbie

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-08-31
- Length: 25m
- Episode: 361
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-08-31-r-d-radio-building-a-reliable-formula-brand-with-casey-bauer-coo-bobbie
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/e1babe72

## Summary

Casey Bauer, COO of Bobbie, explains how the company maintains food safety as one of only four U.S. infant formula manufacturers by conducting over 2,000 safety and quality checks at multiple stages, from raw materials to finished cans. He details Bobbie's 'test obsessed' approach, including partnerships with labs like IH Laboratories to adopt lower detection limits for contaminants, and their transparency tracker that allows customers to verify lot-specific testing. Bauer also discusses the strategic decision to keep domestic manufacturing in Heath, Ohio, while still utilizing contract manufacturers to meet 300% year-over-year growth, and how the 'Bobbie Promise' protects subscriber inventory during shortages.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Casey Bauer and Bobbie's Mission
2. The Pressure of Being One of Four U.S. Manufacturers
3. Implementing 2,000+ Safety and Quality Checks
4. Evolutionary Testing and Lab Partnerships
5. In-House Manufacturing vs. Contract Manufacturing
6. Transparency Tracker and Consumer Validation
7. Managing Retail Relationships and the Bobbie Promise
8. Lessons from the 2022 Formula Shortage
9. Supply Chain Vetting and Final Advice

## Topics

- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Bobbie (company)
- Kate Farms (company)
- Pharmavite (company)
- Nutrabolt (company)
- IH Laboratories (other)
- Target (company)
- Abbott (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Bobbie: Laura Modi. How a Baby Formula Startup Took Market Share From Two Industry Giants](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-08-17-bobbie-laura-modi-how-a-baby-formula-startup-took-market-share-from-two-industry) (How I Built This)
- [360 - Beyond the Die Line - The pitch was awful. They liked the bar! Tom Seymour and Ree Dolnick](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-10-08-360-beyond-the-die-line-the-pitch-was-awful-they-liked-the-bar-tom-seymour-and-r) (People of Packaging)
- [Live From The HIBT Summit: Jeni Britton Bauer of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-02-27-live-from-the-hibt-summit-jeni-britton-bauer-of-jenis-splendid-ice-creams) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Katlin Smith of Simple Mills](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-23-advice-line-with-katlin-smith-of-simple-mills) (How I Built This)
- [From Garage Startup to EMS Excellence with Out of the Box COO Allison Budvarson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-04-14-from-garage-startup-to-ems-excellence-with-out-of-the-box-coo-allison-budvarson) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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