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.
How do you find and vet UK bottling and co-packing facilities for small batch production?
Finding a UK co-packer typically starts with personal introductions within the Kindred network. Members recommend reaching out directly to known facilities or asking for introductions via the group. Key suppliers and contacts mentioned: - **Columbo Group** — members have contacts here and can facilitate introductions - Direct outreach to individual members who manage co-packing relationships What you'll need ready: - **Volume requirements** — co-packers ask about expected batch sizes upfront - **Bottle format/size** — specify your exact packaging needs (e.g. wine spritz in specific bottle size) Approach: Members suggest emailing contacts directly or asking the group for an introduction. Several members indicated they have "a few options available depending on requirements," suggesting capacity varies by format and volume. Personal networks and word-of-mouth vetting appear to be the primary route—members will only recommend facilities they've worked with or trust.
What are the recommended UK contract packers and bottlers for different production volumes?
Members have shared experience with several contract packing and bottling operations across different capacity ranges. **Mid-to-large volume operators:** - **Contract Bottlers Glasgow** — confirmed smooth shipping and operation by members - **RSM Solutions** — recommended as an option - **Brittains** — listed as a recommended provider - **Mallows Distillery** (Cardiff) — described as good operators **Specialist operators for smaller pilot runs and craft scales:** - **Liquid Fusion Group** — recommended for batch, fill, pasteurisation and carbonation in glass bottles for non-alcoholic products. Contact: Ed@liquidfusiongroup.com. Described as "super useful and nice guy with tons of experience." Members report they handle multiple SKUs across a product range, though some have noted "sticking points" with certain formats. **High-volume minimum runs:** - One member's family operation can handle contract manufacture but requires 20,000L+ runs per SKU minimum, so only suitable for significant scale-up. **Key considerations:** Volume requirements vary significantly by provider—clarify your pilot run size (1–2k L initially, scaling to 5k+) before approaching, as some operators have minimum thresholds. Members recommend contacting providers directly to discuss format compatibility, as even experienced packers may have constraints with certain bottle formats or specifications.