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 can small producers source glass bottles when major suppliers have 6+ month backlogs?
During periods of glass supply chain disruption (factory closures, production backlogs, Brexit-related delays), members have faced lead times of 6–12+ months or indefinite delays from standard suppliers. Key insights from the community: **Supply challenges:** - Major suppliers like **Saverglass** have experienced massive backlogs, with screen-printed custom orders quoted for delivery 12+ months out (e.g., April the following year for orders placed in current year). - Delays have been attributed to factory closures during COVID, production stoppages, and order backlogs catching up on older commitments. - Standard lead times from primary suppliers became unavailable or indefinite (e.g., "might be available in Jan", "March", "no fixed date"). **Practical workarounds mentioned:** - Members recommend exploring alternative suppliers when primary sources fail. The specific tactics discussed include reaching out to other glass houses and networking within the community for introductions. - Plan ahead: lock in supply commitments early if considering custom orders, as even alternative routes require advance commitment. **Secondary challenges:** - Logistics for moving bottles/casks became a "frigging disaster zone" due to HGV driver shortages; transport costs more than doubled as drivers moved to higher-paying fuel transport work. **Caveat:** The excerpts do not name specific alternative glass suppliers that successfully fulfilled orders during this period, only confirm that members "had to go elsewhere." Members should network directly for current supplier contacts.
What should you do if a distributor or co-packer suddenly shuts down or goes out of business?
This is a real risk in the drinks industry. Members who experienced unexpected closures (such as the Brittains Beverage situation) report it can be a major disruption to recover inventory. **What happened in practice:** - Members caught in the Brittains closure faced an "absolute nightmare" trying to recover liquid, boxes, capsules and other materials held at the facility - Recovery required "determination" and direct effort to retrieve goods; it was not straightforward or automatic - Some suppliers may have a significant proportion of bulk inventory stored at a single facility, creating concentration risk **Preventative steps members suggest:** - Before committing inventory or materials to a distributor or co-packer, understand their operational footprint and consolidation risks (e.g. whether they operate multiple sites that might be rationalised) - Consider requesting vetting help from the DBT (Drinks Business Trust), which maintains an accredited buyer list as a baseline check - Build relationships directly with your co-packer/distributor contacts so you have a personal channel to escalate if warning signs emerge **Caveats:** - Even with warning, recovery of goods is time-consuming and resource-intensive; there is no automatic process - Bulk inventory held at a single location (especially if it's a consolidation play) puts you at higher risk - No foolproof protection exists—the best approach is due diligence upfront and maintaining alternative supply chain routes where possible.
Where can we source synthetic wood-effect cork closures when facing supply shortages?
Members are experiencing cork supply constraints and have identified a key supplier to contact. **Rankin James** is recommended as a top-3 cork supplier and has been suggested as a starting point for sourcing synthetic wood-effect corks, including 19.5mm options. Members suggest reaching out to Rankin James first when facing availability issues, though no other specific alternative suppliers were named in the discussion. The community is actively problem-solving on this—if you have surplus stock (e.g. brown wood cork stoppers in specific dimensions), members are willing to buy from each other as a workaround during shortages.
How should a drinks business set up a full supply chain traceability process to track suppliers and distribution?
Members who've implemented traceability recommend treating it as a formal quality management exercise and linking it directly to your invoicing system. **Approach and tools:** - **ISO 9001 quality management system** — One member with audit experience noted this is the framework underpinning full traceability. They offered to walk businesses through the basics and help with self-audits. - **Custom invoicing integration** — A member with organic certification requirements coded an online system that integrates traceability directly with their invoicing software, allowing them to track both suppliers and customer distribution in one place. **Why it matters:** Local councils are increasingly asking businesses to hold records of the full supply chain and customer distribution history. Having a documented, auditable system protects you during inspections and helps meet compliance requirements, particularly if pursuing certifications like organic status.
What are the realistic alternatives for glass bottle sourcing when major suppliers have stock issues or poor service?
Members report widespread stock shortages across major UK glass suppliers due to supply-chain disruption (including reduced production from Eastern European factories). Going bespoke is not a fast solution despite initial appearances. **UK stock suppliers:** - **Croxsons** — recommended as an off-the-shelf stock bottle source - **Allied** — another off-the-shelf option to approach when stock is tight - **Encirc** — mentioned but noted as primarily a bespoke/custom manufacturer, so may not solve immediate stock problems **China sourcing (not recommended):** Several members have tested Chinese glass imports as a backup but advise against it. Common issues include: heavy oily residue on bottles requiring machine washing before bottling, inconsistent quality control (fill levels, neck diameter variance), delayed shipping, and slow transit to UK. Cost savings are typically wiped out by necessary air freight to meet timelines. Members who tried this approach have since switched back to UK-only production. **Key caveat:** Major suppliers like Bruni and Savaglass are currently experiencing significant shortages and not being transparent about supply constraints. Members report these suppliers are rationing stock while trying to retain business relationships long-term.
What are current lead times and pricing for bottle decoration services?
Bottle decoration is currently a tight market with significant lead-time and cost pressures. Members have experienced substantial price increases and extended timelines. **Current situation:** - Lead times for new product development (NPD) decoration have extended to **6 months** - **Bruni** quoted a 125% price increase, citing inflation despite the actual inflation rate being 2.9% - Members experienced successive price rises: **4% then 11%** in quick succession **Market context:** - The Yorkshire decoration sector (near Allied and Stoelzle) is experiencing acute labour shortages, with Amazon's local logistics facility offering £18/hour starting wages and drawing workers away - Pallet bottle inserts and protectors face cardboard supply constraints - Decorators currently have significant pricing power in what is described as a "decorators' market" **Recommendation:** Members should expect current negotiations to favour suppliers and plan NPD timelines accordingly—6 months minimum for decoration lead times appears to be the current baseline.
What glass alternatives and sourcing strategies are available given recent price increases and supply constraints?
Glass prices have risen sharply (Juniper bottles nearly doubled); members are exploring both alternatives and creative sourcing to manage costs and supply security. **Bulk forward-ordering:** - **Saverglass** — members who placed large orders mid-2022 secured decorated bottles through March 2023 onwards, though lead times remain uncertain. This strategy requires capital and risk tolerance but hedges against price spikes. **Alternative materials and decoration:** - **Custom bespoke bottles** — one member is pursuing a blue-glass bottle using their own moulds to eliminate the painting step, reducing downstream decoration costs. - **Clear glass + external decoration** — buying plain clear bottles, then outsourcing decoration (painting and screenprinting) to a third party. **Seaways** was mentioned as a potential decorator partner; members were seeking other bottler-decorator recommendations. **Alternative packaging materials:** - Members note that glass alternatives are emerging (e.g. **Avallen** using alternatives), and wider adoption could drive economies of scale. However, no specific alternative materials or suppliers are detailed in this discussion; members acknowledge "there is nothing quite like" traditional glass for certain product categories. **Caveats:** Supply agreements can still surprise with late changes; forward-ordering requires significant upfront capital commitment. Alternatives remain limited and may not suit all product types or markets (e.g., export to the US and Mexico face separate logistical constraints unrelated to packaging choice alone).