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 typical lead times and quality considerations when sourcing glass bottles from Chinese manufacturers?
Shipping from China typically takes around 2 months door-to-door, though timing can vary depending on when the shipment departs. However, members have consistently flagged significant quality control issues that often outweigh any cost savings. **Quality concerns:** - Members report bottles arriving greasy and requiring cleaning before use - Stoppers/closures are frequently poor quality - Multiple members advised avoiding what they described as "pest LinkedIn glass manufacturers" whose apparent savings often prove costly in practice **Recommended approach:** - **Xilong** — mentioned as a supplier members have used successfully for multiple runs, including minis and first batches of custom bottles - **Croxsons partner network** — one member reported that Croxsons work with a Chinese glass company supplying Sainsbury's and M&S own-brand ranges. This supplier holds ISO certification (described as BRC equivalent), offers significantly lower mould costs (£8k vs £45k) and provides cost guarantees **Key caveat:** Members strongly warned that the mental and operational costs of quality issues often far outweigh upfront savings. Starting with small orders is recommended to test quality before committing to larger runs. For specific bottle sizes (e.g. 500ml burgundy in dark green), European suppliers may be worth exhausting first due to supply chain reliability, though availability is currently tight across the continent.
Where should UK drinks manufacturers source custom glass bottles from outside Europe?
Members recommend reaching out to established suppliers with manufacturing operations in lower-cost regions, particularly China. **Key suppliers mentioned:** - **Rockwood Glass** (olivier@rockwood-glass.com) — Highly regarded China-based manufacturer. Used by major spirits producers including Diageo. Offers significantly lower mould costs compared to European suppliers, though MOQs are relatively high. Worth contacting directly to discuss volume requirements. - **UniquePak** (travis@uniquepak.au) — Australian company with owned factories in China. Can handle custom bottle production with potentially more flexible terms. **What members valued:** Low-ish MOQs are important if you're a smaller producer, so clarify your volume needs upfront. Both suppliers mentioned have track records with established drinks brands, suggesting reliability despite the geographical distance.