‘My role is all about creating a positive, seamless experience for our customers from the very first conversation,’ Joanne says.

It’s a neat (though far from exhaustive) summary that encapsulates the customer-centric approach both Joanne and the company take enormous pride in.

Orsus creates products for businesses wanting to offer unique health & wellness brands to their consumers.

A self-confessed wearer of many hats, Joanne was to be spotted on a weekend early in March lending a hand on the busy Voyager Pets stand at Crufts in Birmingham. Voyager, bought by Orsus in 2024, sells a range of consumer edibles, oils and topical creams including wellness for pets.

Normally, though, her Business Development Manager role is B2B. She’s the first point of contact for interested companies – and their guide from initial enquiry to ongoing end support.

Identifying new opportunities, managing sales, and building strong, lasting relationships are all in the job description.

‘Customer care is a big focus for me. I make it a priority to really understand what each client needs and ensure they feel supported at every stage.

‘Clients get a personal, consistent experience and always know who to call. I always try to keep things simple and stress-free.’

Joanne works with an exciting and diverse range of businesses.

‘Many are wellness brands, established companies looking to expand their ranges, and start-ups wanting to launch something new.

‘We also partner with retailers, beauty salons, pet care companies and health stores that want to offer their own branded products.’

These companies all have a common desire for high-quality, effective products they can confidently put their name to.

‘We make sure every product is unique to each customer by really taking time to understand their brand, values and target market,’ she says.

‘Whether custom formulations, personalised packaging or bespoke labelling we work with them to develop products that truly reflect their business.’

White Label

Orsus offers both white and private label products.

‘When a business comes to us for white label manufacturing, the process is as straightforward and supportive as possible.

‘We start with a conversation about their business and what they’re looking for. From there I introduce them to our existing white label range and help them choose products that best fit their brand and target market.’

Once clients have selected their products, the focus is on packaging and labelling. ‘Some come with their branding ready to go, while others need a bit more support.’

Orsus handles the manufacturing, quality checks and dispatch of products from its advanced facilities in Perth, Scotland.

Private Label

The company also creates private label formulations from scratch to individual clients’ specifications.

‘This process is a bit more tailored and collaborative,’ Joanne says.

‘We start by discussing their vision – what kind of product, key ingredients and any specific formulations they have in mind.’

Joanne and the client work closely with the development team on samples for testing and feedback.

‘There’s a lot of back and forth at this stage to make sure we get it exactly right. Once the formulation is approved, we move to packaging, labelling and all the finer details to ensure the product is aligned with their brand identity.’

A Vibrant Future

The wellness industry has evolved a lot. People are more informed about what they are putting in and on their bodies Joanne says.

‘There’s a huge demand for high-quality natural products that genuinely support health and well-being – for humans and pets.’

Post-Crufts, for example, Orsus has received lots of requests for pet products, including new formulas they haven’t done before.

‘There are conditioners, itchy ear sprays, a whole lot of requests – and we’ll always listen to clients and see what we can do, even if it’s completely new.’

Hemp seed oil is an example of a popular and versatile ingredient for pets and humans. ‘It can be used for a variety of things. One of my colleagues uses it for his tortoise.’

Joanne has also seen a big shift towards personalised and niche products – targeted supplements, skincare, and nootropics believed to support the brain. ‘Contract manufacturing like ours plays a key role. Brands are looking for reliable partners to develop products that stand out in a busy market.’

Joanne began her career in procurement in South Africa. ‘In procurement I was being sold to, now it’s the reverse. But I like good relationships, that’s very important to me, and I always feel I can get the best out of somebody.

‘And there is so much to be excited about Orsus right now.’

The company recently expanded its offerings and is attracting increasing interest from businesses. ‘We’re in a great position to support them with flexible, tailored manufacturing solutions.’

A defining feature of Orsus, Joanne believes, is the personal touch it brings to everything. It understands how important quality, consistency and trust are.

‘We’re not a huge, faceless manufacturer. We’re a Scottish-based company that manufactures our own brand, so we understand. We hold ourselves to the same high standards we’d expect if we were the client.

‘What excites me most, personally, is continuing to grow alongside our clients – helping them develop innovative products that meet their evolving needs.’