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 manufacturers are most reliable for UK/EU delivery and quality?
Members report mixed experiences with major suppliers. Reliability and pricing vary significantly; some offer quick turnarounds and problem-solving, while others have added unexpected surcharges. - **Vetroelite and Rawlings** — praised for reliability with no surprises, though at a premium price point - **Estal** — reported as reliable and accommodating by some, with quick turnaround and ability to rescue orders after supplier failures; however, others have experienced random surcharges (members noted a 14.5% fuel surcharge added mid-order citing Ukraine-related costs) - **Berlin Packaging** — specifically cautioned against; members reported significant failures that required rescue operations from alternative suppliers Caveats: Expect price volatility and potential last-minute surcharges, especially tied to geopolitical events or fuel costs. Members recommend vetting suppliers carefully and building relationships with those willing to problem-solve when issues arise.
What is the current state of the UK small-scale canning market, and which co-packers are reliable for short-run 250ml slim can filling?
The UK small-scale canning market is described as 'the Wild West' with significant reliability issues. Several members have had poor experiences with co-packers and are actively seeking alternatives. **Current options for short-run 250ml slim can filling:** - **Envirocan** — mentioned as a brand-new option with quick turnaround capability, recommended for emergency runs **Market state:** - Multiple members report ongoing issues with canning co-packers, with at least one describing serious "malpractice" that caused operational disruption - Some members indicated they have canning capacity in-house but at larger volumes (250,000+ cans per SKU), suggesting capacity is fragmented - The community identified a need for dedicated peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing on canning operations and supplier reliability due to repeated problems **Caveats:** - Several members noted they cannot yet publicly name problem suppliers as they are still collecting stock or managing active relationships, but have committed to sharing details post-delivery - Capacity for sub-1,000 unit runs at short notice is severely limited; most members work at volumes significantly higher than 3–5k units - Members are actively exploring creating a dedicated subgroup for canning/production operations chat to collectively track supplier performance and share experiences