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 bottle suppliers are recommended for reliable quality, and what are current lead times and stock issues in the market?
Members report significant stock and lead-time issues across the market recently, with some suppliers unable to fulfil promised availability. For off-the-shelf bottles, **VetroElite** is highly recommended; contact Claire Logan at c.logan@vetroelite.com for enquiries. Members have also mentioned **Rawlings of Bristol** and **Pattersons Glass** (pattesonsglass.co.uk) as options to explore. **Bruni** has been flagged by multiple members for stock failures and delayed production (one member reported being told production wouldn't resume until July despite promised stock holding). Members note this supply chain strain is widespread across suppliers, not isolated to one company. One member conducted a full bottle tender for 200ml glass bottles and has contact details and pricing information available to share. Before committing to any supplier, members recommend clarifying stock availability and lead times directly rather than relying on initial promises.
How should producers negotiate with packaging suppliers when facing significant cost increases?
Members face substantial cost increases from glass suppliers (ranging from 9.5% to 20%+), but pricing negotiations require careful handling. **Key suppliers and their increases:** **Saver Glass** reported 9.5%, **Allied** at 20%, and **Bruni** positioning between the two. **Berlin** has also tightened supply (no stock until Feb 2022 in one case), forcing some to find alternatives. **Recommended tactics:** - **Collective solidarity approach** — Members suggested that individually they are small customers to major glass companies, but combined they represent stronger negotiating power. A coordinated approach to suppliers could soften price increases more effectively than individual negotiation. - **Keep sourcing options open** — Maintain multiple supplier relationships and always have a BATNA (best alternative to negotiated agreement) ready when suppliers apply pressure. - **Don't pass increases directly to consumers** — Members warned that consumers won't accept sizable price rises and will switch to competitor brands in their price point. Retail and on-trade buyers have the same mentality and won't accept rises that affect market fit. - **Beware of cartel concerns** — Members explicitly flagged that sharing pricing discussion or coordinating price increases could constitute cartel behaviour and should be avoided. Cost of goods information and response is acceptable; pricing discussion is "a no go." **Caveat:** The pressure is real—producers are caught between supplier increases and market resistance to price rises, creating a "bumpy ride." The best defence is keeping sourcing options as open as possible.
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.