How are UK drinks brands managing glass packaging cost increases, and what negotiation strategies are working?

Members have faced dramatic glass packaging price increases in 2022, ranging from 17% to over 20% from major suppliers, with some seeing increases as high as 35% for European-sourced glass. The increases are primarily driven by energy cost spikes rather than material scarcity.

**Negotiation and pushback strategies:** - **Request pricing logic** — Push back on increases and ask suppliers to provide detailed maths and justification behind the price rise figures. - **Secure stock with forward purchase orders** — If your supplier already has inventory pre-ordered or in stock in the UK, negotiate a purchase order for a chunk of glass at the old pricing before the increase date takes effect. This locks in pre-increase rates. - **Compare notes with peers** — Members are actively sharing specific increase percentages and supplier names (e.g. Allied Glass, Bruni) to understand whether offers are in line with market reality and to identify negotiating positions.

**Key suppliers mentioned:** - **Allied Glass** — UK supplier; increases quoted at 19–20%+ - **Bruni** — German/European manufacturer; bespoke bottles carry long lead times (10 months+) and high setup costs (£25k+), limiting flexibility to switch

**Caveats:** Members noted that even UK manufacturers are passing through the same energy-driven increases, so the issue is sector-wide. If you're locked into a bespoke bottle with a supplier like Bruni, you have limited recourse to reject the increase without restarting an expensive, lengthy production process. Securing pre-ordered stock before price-change dates is the most concrete tactic identified so far.