Contract bottling (private label) is the fastest way into the spirits market without investment in production infrastructure. Retail chains, restaurants, start-ups and agencies are increasingly using this model to bring their own alcohol brand to market. 'Easy start\u2019 does not mean no risk, however. Below, we outline the most common pitfalls and how IMA Poland executes private label projects from A to Z.<\/p>\n
Contract bottling is a collaborative model in which a third-party producer - such as a IMA Poland<\/a> - is responsible for the entire production process: from recipe development, distillation and bottling to banding and storage at the tax warehouse. The principal focuses on brand building, distribution and sales.<\/p>\n The private label model eliminates the need to build an in-house distillery, obtain production concessions and maintain a tax warehouse. This significantly lowers the barrier to entry into the spirits market. Contract bottling is used by both large retail chains and small companies that want to test the product on the market with minimal investment.<\/p>\n Based on years of experience in private label projects, we have compiled five problems that arise most frequently. Each of them can delay or completely block a product launch.<\/p>\n Failure to provide allergen information, batch code or manufacturer details on the label will result in the entire batch being withheld from sale. Alcohol labelling regulations are restrictive and vary depending on the target market. The compliance of the label design with the applicable regulations - both national and EU - must be verified before production begins.<\/p>\n The bottling of alcohol under Polish law constitutes production. This means that without access to a tax warehouse, it is not possible to legally commence operations. The costs of excise duty must be taken into account already at the stage of calculating the price of the product. Omitting this element leads to erroneous financial assumptions and legal problems.<\/p>\n Choosing a custom bottle with a low production volume significantly increases the cost per unit. Glass manufacturers require minimum orders and moulds for custom bottles generate additional costs. The solution is to start a pilot on standard bottles available on the market. Investing in dedicated packaging only makes sense once the product has been market validated.<\/p>\n Without a laboratory and gas chromatography (GC) analyses, it is impossible to ensure the reproducibility of a product's taste and physicochemical parameters. Consumers expect every bottle of a particular brand to taste identical. The lack of systematic inter-party control leads to complaints and loss of consumer confidence.<\/p>\n Each foreign market has its own requirements for labelling, certificates and customs documentation. A label complying with Polish regulations will not automatically meet the requirements of the German, Scandinavian or American market. Export planning requires these differences to be taken into account already at the product design stage.<\/p>\n IMA Poland<\/a> carries out contract bottling projects from 500 bottles onwards. The entire process takes place under one roof - from recipe development, to distillation and bottling<\/a>, to banding and storage at the tax warehouse. This model eliminates the need to coordinate multiple subcontractors and reduces lead times.<\/p>\n IMA Polska's production facility is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, HACCP, REACH, as well as organic and kosher production certificates. This means that the products meet quality and regulatory requirements in European and non-European markets.<\/p>\n Cooperation with IMA Poland in the contract bottling model includes the following stages:<\/p>\n Each project begins with a requirements analysis and costing. This provides the client with a complete picture of the investment before deciding to go into production.<\/p>\n The private label model works well for retail chains launching private labels, restaurants and hotels looking for dedicated products, start-ups testing new alcohol brands and creative agencies carrying out branding projects. Contract bottling allows each of these entities to enter the spirits market without building their own production infrastructure.<\/p>\n Are you planning your own alcohol brand and looking for a contract bottling partner? Contact us<\/a>, to discuss the details of your project and receive a quote. We fulfil orders from 500 bottles with full support at every stage of production.<\/p>\nThe 5 most common pitfalls in private label production<\/h2>\n
1. Incomplete label<\/h3>\n
2. underestimation of excise duty<\/h3>\n
3. custom glass at low cost<\/h3>\n
4. lack of quality control between batches<\/h3>\n
5. omission of export requirements<\/h3>\n
How does IMA Polska implement private label projects?<\/h2>\n
Scope of services in the private label model<\/h3>\n
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Who is contract bottling for?<\/h2>\n
Contact IMA Poland<\/h2>\n