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 are UK drinks brands managing glass packaging cost increases, and what negotiation strategies are working?
Members have faced dramatic glass packaging price increases in 2022, ranging from 17% to over 20% from major suppliers, with some seeing increases as high as 35% for European-sourced glass. The increases are primarily driven by energy cost spikes rather than material scarcity. **Negotiation and pushback strategies:** - **Request pricing logic** — Push back on increases and ask suppliers to provide detailed maths and justification behind the price rise figures. - **Secure stock with forward purchase orders** — If your supplier already has inventory pre-ordered or in stock in the UK, negotiate a purchase order for a chunk of glass at the old pricing before the increase date takes effect. This locks in pre-increase rates. - **Compare notes with peers** — Members are actively sharing specific increase percentages and supplier names (e.g. Allied Glass, Bruni) to understand whether offers are in line with market reality and to identify negotiating positions. **Key suppliers mentioned:** - **Allied Glass** — UK supplier; increases quoted at 19–20%+ - **Bruni** — German/European manufacturer; bespoke bottles carry long lead times (10 months+) and high setup costs (£25k+), limiting flexibility to switch **Caveats:** Members noted that even UK manufacturers are passing through the same energy-driven increases, so the issue is sector-wide. If you're locked into a bespoke bottle with a supplier like Bruni, you have limited recourse to reject the increase without restarting an expensive, lengthy production process. Securing pre-ordered stock before price-change dates is the most concrete tactic identified so far.
Where can I find reliable glass bottle suppliers for custom lightweight bottle shapes?
Members facing urgent glass sourcing challenges recommend reaching out to established suppliers and intermediaries who can help navigate current stock constraints. Key contacts and options: - **Allied Glass (Leeds)** — contact John, their UK sales director; also has an "Emerging brands" division that may offer solutions - **Spiritbridge** — has a strong network for sourcing custom bottles; members recommend emailing support@spiritbridge.io or dropping a direct note to Jonathan for assistance - **Oliver** — mentioned as having a great network for glass sourcing (contact details not provided in discussion) - **Drinks Aisle** — another potential supplier to contact (specific contact details not shared) - **Secondary market/excess stock** — members occasionally have surplus bottles available (e.g. discontinued Herbalist/Duppy bottles); worth asking in the community if you need immediate inventory **Important context:** Members noted significant global stock shortages in early 2024, with some suppliers facing 6+ month out-of-stock periods. It's advisable to have conversations with intermediaries like Spiritbridge or established suppliers with diverse networks (Allied Glass, Oliver) who may have contingency options or access to alternative lightweight shapes that match your requirements.
What customs brokers or logistics partners should we use to handle Brexit customs clearance for glass bottle imports from the EU?
Post-Brexit, importing glass bottles from EU countries requires customs clearance paperwork that your glass manufacturer's logistics partner may not handle—you'll likely need a dedicated customs broker or freight forwarder familiar with the new regulations. Members recommend: - **Mannson** (https://mannson.com) — used for Far East logistics and reportedly handles European road freight too - **Transmec** (contact: Idavis@transmecgroup.com) — costs approximately £50 per delivery and can handle Brexit customs documentation - Check with your glass manufacturer's existing logistics company first — they may already offer customs clearance services One member mentioned **Saverglass** as a potential source of peer recommendations if you're using their bottles. When coordinating with your forwarder, consider stacking optimisation (double or multiple layers per pallet, adjusting pallet count) to maximise efficiency on road shipments.
What are the typical minimum order quantities and mould costs for custom glass bottles from Chinese manufacturers, and who can help negotiate lower MOQs?
Chinese glass bottle manufacturers typically have high MOQs, but it's worth contacting suppliers directly as some flexibility exists. Members recommend reaching out to **Travis at Unique Pak** (travis@uniquepak.com.au), who runs an Australian company owning factories in China and has experience supplying glass for major brands. He may be able to advise on lower MOQ options. **Unique Pak** also handles quality control to European standards, though they take a percentage for this service. One member noted that Chinese-manufactured bottles sometimes arrive with oil residue, so inspect shipments carefully on arrival. The key takeaway: while MOQs are generally high, direct negotiation with suppliers who have factory relationships can sometimes unlock more flexible terms.