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.
Can you run a successful white-label drinks business using contract manufacturers without owning your own production facility?
Yes, many successful brands operate this way, including some of the world's largest companies. However, it requires careful management and strong partnerships. **Key considerations:** - **Partner selection is critical** — Success entirely depends on how much you trust your co-packer. The relationship quality matters more than facility ownership. - **Cost control is essential** — With an extra margin tier from the co-packer, you must have your costs tightly managed to remain competitive. Members warned that adding multiple intermediaries (distributor → overseas partner → local manufacturer) can create unsustainable margin stacking. - **Clear contractual agreements** — Establish explicit Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and quality tolerances upfront. Define who is liable for rectifying quality issues before they arise. - **Quality control risks** — Having a contract filler means you're one step removed from production oversight, so robust quality agreements and regular communication are non-negotiable. **Caveats:** Members noted that outsourcing production introduces operational complexity and potential friction points. Some described it as "painful" without proper planning. Even producers who own their own facilities regularly consider outsourcing, suggesting the model has genuine trade-offs. The consensus: it *can* work, but ask ten people and get ten different answers based on their specific circumstances.
What are the best canning services for small-run cocktail RTD production in the UK?
Members recommend contacting specialist canners directly for small-format runs (100–125ml cans). **Point Cocktails** and **The M That Can** (themthatcan.com) have both been mentioned as options capable of handling small batch cocktail canning. These appear to be the go-to contacts for producers looking to can ready-to-drink cocktails in limited quantities. Contact them directly to discuss your specific volume and format requirements.
What are the key challenges and costs involved in exporting drinks to the United States?
US market entry involves significant hidden costs beyond standard wholesale margins, particularly through deductible charges that major retail channels impose. **Key cost challenges:** - **Deductibles and slotting fees** — Major US retail channels deduct as much as 65% of invoices through slotting fees, promotional chargebacks, and other deductibles. Distributors may not receive full payment on invoices due to these recoupments. - **Specialized recovery services** — Some expensive consultants exist solely to fight these deductible charges on behalf of brands and recover funds, taking a cut of what they recoup. (This mirrors services available in the UK, where companies specialise in reclaiming overcharged supermarket promotion fees.) **Contract canning in the US:** - Members strongly advise steering clear of US contract canning unless you have significant capital reserves. The costs are prohibitively high for most early-stage brands. **Overall sentiment:** The US market is described as "a messed up market" with structural costs that make entry challenging without substantial backing.
Where can founders source co-packers for pre-batched cocktail production?
Several members in the community offer contract manufacturing services for pre-batched cocktails in bottles: - **Bone Idyll** — Contact Sam@boneidyll.co.uk for co-packing inquiry - **Mothership Scotland** — The team behind Bramble offer pre-batched cocktail production; visit mothershipscotland.com for details - **Custom Spirit** — Contact Callum@customspirit.co for co-packing services Members recommend reaching out directly to these suppliers to discuss your specific requirements and production volumes.
Where can I find a UK canning facility that handles small-scale production (under 1000 litres) with full capabilities including mixing, carbonation, canning, pasteurisation and labelling?
Members recommend **Point Cocktails** (contact: Hayden) as a viable option for small-scale canning in the UK. The facility has been described positively by community members who have used them and can handle the full range of services needed—mixing, carbonation, canning, pasteurisation and labelling—for batches under 1000 litres.