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 factors should I prioritise when choosing a fulfillment partner for growing e-commerce operations?
Selecting a fulfillment partner requires balancing multiple operational and commercial factors. Start by identifying your preferred courier partner and their pricing structure, as 3PL rates and storage fees vary significantly and can make or break the deal. **Key selection criteria:** - **Location** — aim for the Midlands area, where most major fulfillment hubs are concentrated, which typically improves service speed and reduces costs - **Courier partnerships** — confirm their rates with your preferred carriers (Royal Mail, DPD, etc.), as some 3PLs have better deals with certain couriers than others - **Storage and handling fees** — get clarity on per-unit storage costs and pick-and-pack pricing, which compound as you scale - **Manufacturing proximity** — factor in your own production location to minimise inbound logistics - **Amazon capabilities** — if selling on Amazon, verify they support FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) if you plan to expand there - **Trade fulfillment support** — confirm whether they handle B2B orders or non-standard packaging requirements **Example provider:** Members have used **Codestorm**, who offer good Royal Mail rates and support trade fulfillment, though their DPD pricing is not the most competitive. As always, get specific quotes from multiple providers and model the total cost (storage + shipping + pick-pack) against your expected growth, not just headline rates.
What are best practices for blending spirits at scale?
Members working at scale emphasize weighing rather than volume measurement for accuracy and consistency. **Equipment & Methods:** - **IBC scales** — recommended for weighing during blending operations - **Load cells for tanks** — alternative approach for larger volumes - **204L barrels on scales** — some members blend in standard barrels placed on scales, though one noted this approach "is a bitch" (implying practical challenges with handling and measurement precision) - **Mass/weight-based blending** — consistently cited as the easiest approach rather than volume-based methods **Key caveat:** Members didn't elaborate in detail on the specific technical challenges or workflow optimizations, suggesting this may be an area where peer-to-peer conversations (rather than group chat) are happening. One member offered to discuss further offline.