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.
Where can we source standard off-the-shelf 6-bottle wine cardboard cases with reasonable lead times?
Several suppliers offer off-the-shelf wine cases, though lead times vary significantly. Members have identified the following options: - **Smurfitt Kappa** (Holland) — offers a "premium" service for standard unbranded cases with a 5-week lead time. Contact: sonja.romeijn-velderman@smurfitkappa.nl - **Kite** — recommended as a good option for stock availability on standard cases - **Rajapack** — mentioned as an alternative, though recent stock availability was reported as limited - **Davpack** — suggested as another potential supplier - **Boxes Direct** — members have used this as a stopgap supplier for online orders (www.boxesdirect.co.uk) - **WBC** (Wine Bottle Cases) — offers pallets of 6-bottle budget transit cases available in bulk, including fold-up options (https://www.wbc.co.uk/offers/bulk-buy/6-bottle-budget-transit-pallet-bulk-buy/) **Caveat:** Even for standard, unbranded cases, lead times remain long (5 weeks minimum reported). Stock availability fluctuates, so checking directly with suppliers for current availability is essential before committing to orders.
What are the current onboarding timelines at major UK logistics hubs, and how long does stock processing take once received?
Lead times at major logistics hubs are currently tight and vary by location. **LCB Linton** is not accepting stock arrivals until 20 December, with a 3-day processing window from receipt to stock being ready in your account. Members suggest checking alternative logistics hubs as timelines may be better elsewhere. Plan accordingly if you're sending stock before the Christmas period, as delays are likely at primary hubs.
Which bottle suppliers should UK spirit producers use, and what are the lead times and sourcing options?
UK spirit producers have several established bottle suppliers to choose from, split between direct producers (longer lead times, typically weeks) and UK-based importers/resellers (faster turnaround, typically days). **Direct producers:** - **Verallia** — established producer - **Vetroelite** — established producer - **Saver Glass** — producer with weeks lead time - **Estal** — producer with weeks lead time **UK-based importers/resellers:** - **Rawlings** — UK-based reseller, days lead time - **G&C Packaging** — UK-based reseller, days lead time - **Bruni** — supplier option mentioned - **Owen International (O-I)** — supplier option mentioned The trade-off is clear: direct producers offer potentially better pricing and direct relationships but require longer planning (weeks), while UK-based resellers offer faster delivery (days) at the cost of potentially higher margins built in. Members recommend considering your production timeline and minimum order quantities when deciding between producer and reseller routes.
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.
What are the typical costs and lead times for contract canning services for small batches under 10,000 units per SKU?
Members found that sub-10k unit runs are achievable but can face slot delays at contract canners. **Bottled and Canned** (Devon) is confirmed to work with runs as small as 1,000 litres and has been praised for quality. The target cost floor most members cited is around **£0.50 per unit**, though this may be aspirational for very small runs. Lead times can be tight—reactive (urgent) slots are difficult to secure, so advance booking is recommended. **Drinks Chef** was also mentioned as a reliable option. A Cardiff distillery recently added an in-house canning line and may have spare capacity. Members recommend reaching out directly to confirm pricing and availability for your specific volume.
What alternative cork and closure suppliers should brands use when primary suppliers have extremely long lead times?
When major suppliers like Bruni and Erben (Berlin Packaging) quote unworkable lead times (currently 22–23 weeks for items previously delivered in 3 weeks), members recommend shifting to smaller, more responsive European suppliers. **Alternative suppliers members have used:** - **GNC Packaging** — recommended as a contact (Oliver) - **Bouchages-Delage** (France) — fairly responsive with smaller quantities and generic finishes - **Bostocap** (Belgium) — fairly responsive with smaller quantities and generic finishes - **RS Cork** (Portugal) — described as fairly good to deal with for smaller orders; members willing to provide introductions - **Portuguese cork suppliers** — members have reliable contacts and offer shorter lead times **Key insight:** Smaller European suppliers are currently more responsive than major consolidators like Bruni, which members note are focused on buying up competition and raising prices rather than fulfilling existing customer orders. Members report that Bruni's communication and delivery on custom work (e.g. etched stoppers, heat seals) has become unreliable even for long-standing clients. **Tactic:** For non-bespoke items (generic finishes, standard sizes like 18mm shank or 40 x 12mm), the smaller suppliers can turn around orders much faster. Members actively share introductions to their trusted Portuguese and European contacts.