USA: The Color Factory changes its name to Cosmetic Group USA again

Interview Jean-Yves Bourgeois

4 November 2013

It was one of the highlights of the recent MakeUp in New York trade show on September 25-26. One of the largest U.S. west coast contract developer and manufacturer of cosmetic, skin care and make up products, to serve national and international brands was exhibiting under its new name, “Cosmetic Group USA”. New?... Not really, since the firm was named that at its inception in 1984. A return to its roots, in a way inasmuch as the Creative and Technical Innovation team which took the reins a few months ago is precisely the same as in the beginning, namely, company Founders Judy Zegarelli and Alfred Booth. A revival which was made possible thanks to the passion of an entrepreneur for this industry and for this company, Jonathan Mitchell, who appointed industry veteran Andrea Chuchvara at the head of the Company. Next step in two years’ time, a new plant. Explanations...

Premium Beauty News - The company that you helped create more than twenty five years ago is enjoying a complete revival? What happened in recent years and how far has your company gone now?

Judy Zegarelli - The Company was founded in 1984 in Marina del Rey, California by Alfred Booth and me. The company moved to Sun Valley California in January 1990. In 1997, we sold the Company. Then the Company changed names to The Color Factory and changed hands several times, mainly to financial holding companies, until the arrival of its new current owner, Jonathan Mitchell, an entrepreneur who decided to support us in the revival of the Company and gave the management of the Company to Andrea Chuchvara. The consequences of this new impetus given to the Company by the current team are obviously huge. Between 2012 and 2013, we simply doubled the turnover. Thanks to investments made possible both through the personal involvement of Jonathan Mitchell and also the firm’s newfound health, the renewal of the fleet of machines has become a priority.

Premium Beauty News - And you chose to go for the name of origin?

Judy Zegarelli - That’s right! Cosmetic Group USA was a perfect name. It has at least the advantage of being clear and to show our abilities. And on top of it, it is one of the mainstays of a positive past that we are currently reviving.

Premium Beauty News - A few words on the tool you have in your hands today?

Judy Zegarelli - Let’s go back to basics. Cosmetic Group is a contract developer and manufacturer of cosmetics and skincare products for national and international brands. Our clientele includes prestige brands and industry leaders who distribute through major retail, direct and online channels. Setting the course for color and products trends is what we do best. Cosmetic Group features state-of-the-art research and development and offers clients fresh ideas and an incomparable opportunity to customize formulas and packaging.

Fresh ideas, product innovation, trend savvy... We are known for all of these, and much more. As a team of creative and knowledgeable professionals we work closely with our clients to formulate new products that are distinctive in the marketplace.

Premium Beauty News - And industrially and technically speaking?

Judy Zegarelli - On a general level, we have a 90,000 sq ft manufacturing facility. We are FDA OTC/SPF approved; a CTFA member (Cosmetics, Toiletry & Fragrance Association); an ICMAD member (Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers & Distributors); a CMA member (Cosmetics Manufacturers Association). We are cGMP compliant (cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practices). We have our own Research and Development centre as well Superior QC systems. In addition to our ability to forecast trends and our revolutionary R&D, we provide exceptional quality control in an industry where high standards are critical. Our goal is to set customers apart from competitors.

With a database of more than 4,000 formulations for colour cosmetics and skin care products, we utilize the most advanced technology to deliver concepts and finished products not available anywhere else. Our technical experts are constantly researching and developing new raw materials and ingredients to improve our customer’s products. We are continually updating our manufacturing capabilities to give our customers the latest product innovations.

Our quality control department carefully monitors all phases of production using integrated manufacturing systems to track production information and lab batches. We closely document each step of production to ensure that the unique characteristics of each product are preserved. Our quality control measures are applied throughout the entire manufacturing process from the chemists in our labs to the production line, assuring the finest products and packaging.

We are continually updating and acquiring new state-of-the-art equipment to facilitate efficiency and quality of production. We have added to our already extensive equipment list a new fully automated lipstick machine using state-of-the-art silicone moulds, a new six colour powder press machine, two new patent pending machine processes. Our next target in two years’ time, a new plant.