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.
What are the current bonded warehouse pricing trends and service issues in the UK, and which alternatives are members using?
Members are reporting significant price increases across UK bonded warehouses coupled with stretched service levels. **LCB** has raised landing charges from 50p to 75p per case and storage from 6p to 7.5p per week; they're also experiencing capacity constraints with 3-day landing times and 7-day rework turnarounds, plus strict policies on late deliveries. Current pricing varies slightly by operator—**Horseguards Gin** reports goods-in at 67p and storage at 7.25p per case of 6. Members note the sector is experiencing high demand across the board, driving prices up while service levels decline. Alternatives members are exploring: - **FuturePro Logistics** — used successfully at Seedlip and still in use there; contact Mark@futureprologistics.com, +44 7766 114 897 - **EHD** — praised as not expensive, quick for landing, and offering decent delivery rates Members' general sense is that capacity is tight across all warehousing operators. Those considering alternatives should factor in both pricing and service responsiveness when evaluating providers.
How can Kindred Collective members use collective purchasing power to negotiate better pricing with logistics and fulfilment providers?
Members identified that pooling volume across the group could create meaningful negotiating leverage. The practical approach is to create a shared visibility tool first, then use that data to approach suppliers collectively. **The tactic:** - Build a shared spreadsheet documenting what each member currently pays logistics and fulfilment providers (base charges, rates, volumes). This reveals pricing patterns and creates a foundation for collective negotiation. - Pool the group's combined volume when approaching suppliers to negotiate better rates. - Members recommended **Bezos** as a logistics/fulfilment option worth evaluating; those interested can request an introduction. - One member volunteered to build and maintain the initial spreadsheet if members populate it with their current provider data and charges. **Status:** This is an emerging initiative with several members expressing commitment ("Count us in", "Sounds like a superb idea") but still in early stages pending spreadsheet creation and population.
How should you approach negotiating direct purchase agreements with major mixer brands for competitive pricing?
Members recommend going directly to mixer brands rather than through standard distributors when you're looking for volume deals. **Fever Tree** offers "partnership" deals where they negotiate pricing in exchange for marketing tie-ins and exclusivity commitments — they'll commit to using their tonic as your primary mixer. The trade-off is that brands use these agreements as marketing opportunities, so expect some marketing obligations in return for the discounted price. For specific negotiations, members suggest leveraging existing connections within the community — reach out to other founders in the Kindred Collective who own mixer brands, as they can often broker introductions or facilitate discussions. Going direct works best for large orders (e.g. trade shows or significant volume commitments) where you have genuine scale to offer the supplier.