How to get a drink manufactured
The Manufacturing process of creating a drink is one not to be underestimated. It is a complex operation that requires experience, extensive knowledge and trusting contacts to make the perfect product- ready to be sold in shops within the shortest time frame possible.
At Brand Relations, our relationships with all components of the supply chain will help ensure every aspect of the process from the drink design and beverage development costs to certifications and co-packers, will be taken care of to the highest quality at the best price.
Before we start any process, we strategically analyse the individual requirements of the drink to ensure we can utilise the correct contract manufacturer for the job. Whatever suggested beverage manufacturer you choose, we always thoroughly checked through various communications to make sure that they can fill the requirements.
To add to this choice of co-packer, they too must have a variety of suitable packaging options, which can be difficult down to the individual brief of the drink.
We will guide you throughout the manufacturing process by:
1. Researching a range of ingredient suppliers to find the highest quality components on the market.
Ingredient suppliers quite often have large minimums when only a fraction of the amount is required, we try to encourage suppliers to reduce these minimums to reduce wastage. If this isn’t an option, we like suppliers to give sample amounts free of charge to create ease when making future larger runs.
2. Ensuring all ingredients arrive on time for production.
If a deadline has been set for the final product, it’s important to stick to the schedule as just one late delivery can mean a several weeks or months delay in production.
3. Dealing with the beverage manufacturer (co-packers). Any choice of Co-Packer must have a variety of suitable packaging options ranging from glass to PET, Cans or Tetra Pak. In our experience of beverage bottling, many contract manufacturers aren’t the easiest to deal with and are used to large companies that understand all their procedures.
To get a product approved to be produced, this involves recipes and samples being sent so they can understand how the product will work in their environment- the larger the company the harder this can be. We understand how each of these co-packer’s work, meaning that we can approach them in the quickest and most informative way possible to avoid any delays.
4. Ensuring the manufacturer understands the full requirements.
Transparency and good communication with the co-packer will mean that everything will go as smoothly as possible, to produce the exact recipe requested
5.Arranging for the correct printing for soft drink labels, packaging or sleeving.
We will meticulously check the final label to ensure that the beverage branding design is in the exact format required to present the brand at its best
6. If required we can arrange for sleeving to be completed at a range of companies if this isn’t in-house at the co-packer.
We will try to ensure that it doesn’t disrupt the timing of the production too much and that it can be completed on schedule
7. Helping with shipping and guidance to the UK.
We will help arrange transportation of your product back into the country, ready to be sold in the required market
The manufacturing process is a VERY complex procedure and many first runs inevitably go wrong. Our extensive experience and knowledge in this process have allowed us to know the do’s and don’ts when bringing a product to life, which unfortunately many new brands learn too late into the production.
We know the most trustworthy contacts, with the best pricing to make your product from idea to the shelf in the quickest timing. It is complex and detailed but over 100 brands show why we at Brand Relations, are good at what we do.
If you need help with manufacturing, get in touch today for a free consultation.
