Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
Which B2B fulfillment and logistics companies do members recommend in the UK?
Members recommend a small number of tested fulfillment partners, mostly based on personal referrals. The main caveat is to avoid one well-known provider. - **Cloud Fulfilment** (Portsmouth-based) — recommended by a member whose friend uses them for e-commerce logistics and found them reliable - **Local Cardiff-based provider** — a member has direct experience and offered to share details via direct message - **Huboo** — members strongly advise against; multiple warnings to "AVOID" Members emphasize that personal referrals are the most trusted route for finding fulfillment partners, and suggest reaching out directly in the group for introductions rather than cold-calling.
What are the current fulfillment and logistics pricing rates from recommended UK providers, and what should we expect to pay for storage, picking, packing and delivery?
Members have identified a Leicester-based fulfillment partner offering transparent pricing for both B2B and D2C operations. Here are the specific costs shared: **Storage & handling:** - £0.65 per cubic metre per day storage - £1.50 per order (includes first pick) - £0.40 per unit/carton for pick and pack - £0.05 per insert - £0.10 per case inbound goods charge **Delivery options:** - **Parcelforce Express24** — £5.98 - **FedEx 25kg** — £6.12 - **Yodel up to 3kg** — £3.79 - **Yodel up to 17kg** — £4.42 **Important caveat:** The provider is not yet bonded, though they are working towards bonded status. Members noted this may be a limitation depending on your product category and regulatory requirements. One member suggested creating a shared spreadsheet of fulfillment costs across different providers to help the community benchmark pricing.
What fulfillment and logistics providers do members recommend for DTC and B2B order fulfillment?
Members have recommended a handful of fulfillment partners, though availability and suitability depend on your order type and volume. - **Haul + Store** — described as spenny (expensive) but reliable and flexible - **Diamond Logistics** — recommended by a member with direct experience - **Tortuga-style providers** — suggested for case-based shipping (B2B bulk orders) Key note: Ask potential fulfillment partners early whether they handle DTC, B2B, or both—the logistics differ significantly. The community discussion suggests that fulfillment options can be limited and partners do sometimes fall through, so it's worth vetting multiple options and understanding their flexibility before committing.