Beverage Co-Packing (Beverage Co-Packers / Copackers): What It Includes
Beverage co-packing — sometimes called contract manufacturing, contract bottling, or co-manufacturing — is the process of having a specialized facility produce and package your finished drink.
A professional beverage co-packer manages the heavy lifting: batching, filling, packaging, pasteurization, labeling, and logistics.
This allows brands to focus on marketing, sales, and growth while their partner handles precise production under food-safety and regulatory controls.
The best beverage co-packers operate like an extension of your own company. They maintain certified facilities (SQF, GMP, HACCP, Kosher, Halal) and can scale from pilot runs to national volume. Whether you’re producing an energy drink, functional shot, hydration beverage, or alcoholic RTD, the right co-packer turns your idea into shelf-ready product with predictable quality, speed, and cost.
Contract Manufacturing vs Contract Bottling vs Co-Packing
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, each emphasizes a slightly different part of the process:
Contract Manufacturing means the co-packer blends or batches your beverage from ingredients you specify. They manage mixing, filtration, and in-line quality checks before filling.
Contract Bottling or Canning focuses on the packaging stage — getting the product into aluminum, glass, or PET containers under exact temperature and pressure conditions.
Co-Packing covers the full end-to-end workflow: batching, filling, labeling, tray-packing, palletizing, and shipping.
Most modern facilities combine all three under one roof so you get a true turnkey beverage manufacturing partner who can scale production without requiring new equipment or staff on your side.
Cost Drivers in Beverage Co-Packing
Pricing for beverage co-packing varies by product type, packaging, and run size. Key cost components include:
Ingredients & Batching – specialized actives, flavor bases, or natural extracts may need longer blending or filtration cycles.
Package Type – printed cans, glass, and hot-fill PET each require specific machinery, line speeds, and materials.
Pasteurization & Stability Method – tunnel, flash, retort, or HPP processing influence both throughput and shelf life.
Volume (MOQs) – larger runs yield economies of scale; very short runs often cost more per unit.
Decor & Pack-Out – shrink sleeves, pressure-sensitive labels, cartons, and multipacks add labor and materials.
Logistics – warehousing, freight, and cold-chain needs can affect final landed cost.
An experienced co-packer will quote with line-item transparency so you understand exactly what drives cost per case. For new brands, this helps forecast margins accurately before launch.
Choosing the Right Beverage Co-Packer
Finding a qualified co-packer is one of the most critical decisions in any beverage startup or brand expansion. Use these criteria:
Capability Match: Ensure the facility can handle your product format (carbonated, still, hot-fill, HPP) and container type.
Certifications & Compliance: SQF, GMP, and HACCP certifications confirm food-safety systems. Alcoholic lines should hold TTB compliance.
Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs): Check that their batch sizes align with your forecast and test runs.
Quality Control: Ask about micro testing, sensory panels, seam integrity, and lot traceability.
Scheduling & Flexibility: The best partners offer transparent calendars and clear lead times.
Communication & Transparency: Look for real-time reporting and open cost structures rather than hidden fees.
End-to-End Support: Top facilities also help with ingredient sourcing, packaging procurement, and regulatory documentation.
Partnering with a co-packer who understands your business model — startup, functional wellness, or national CPG — reduces risk and accelerates your time-to-market.
Alcoholic vs Non-Alcoholic Requirements
Alcoholic Beverages (Co-Packing Under TTB):
Producing spirit-based RTDs, hard seltzers, or wine spritzers requires a facility with a TTB permit. These co-packers manage proof dilution, formula approval, and bonded storage. Label compliance is governed by the Alcohol & Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, and packaging lines must meet strict traceability rules.
Non-Alcoholic Beverages (FDA Compliance):
Energy drinks, functional shots, hydration beverages, teas, coffees, and enhanced waters fall under FDA regulations. The co-packer must follow CFR 110 and 117 (GMP for foods) and maintain documented HACCP plans.
Facilities may need to handle acidified or low-acid foods differently, depending on pH and pasteurization.
A good co-packer understands both sets of rules and can advise you on label claims, nutritional statements, and stability requirements for your specific formulation.
Timelines & Lead Times
Typical beverage co-packing projects follow a structured timeline:
Technical Intake & Feasibility: 1–2 weeks to review formulas, packaging, and process fit.
Pilot Trials: 2–3 weeks to refine fill parameters, evaluate taste and shelf stability.
Procurement & Material Staging: 2–6 weeks depending on cans, labels, and ingredients.
Production Run: 2–4 days for filling, pack-out, and QA release.
Distribution & Warehousing: optional storage or shipment to distributors and 3PLs.
On average, new brands can go from approved formulation to first production in 8–12 weeks if materials and approvals are ready.
Once your product is in steady production, reorders can ship in as little as 2–4 weeks.
Quality & Food Safety
A trusted co-packer builds quality into every step of production.
Expect documentation for ingredient receiving, lot tracking, batch records, and release COAs (certificates of analysis). Facilities should routinely perform:
Micro testing (total plate count, yeast/mold, pathogens)
Seam integrity and torque testing
pH and Brix validation
Sensory evaluation of every lot
Continuous monitoring and statistical process control (SPC) ensure every case meets specifications before shipment.
For your brand, that means consistent flavor, color, and shelf stability batch after batch.
Sustainability & Efficiency
Many modern beverage co-packers use lightweight materials, closed-loop water systems, and renewable energy to reduce environmental impact. Choosing a partner with green initiatives can support your brand’s sustainability story and meet retailer requirements for ESG compliance.
Optimized line efficiency also keeps unit costs down and carbon footprint low. Ask for metrics on yield loss and waste reduction — small improvements can translate to significant savings over large runs.
Summary: Why Beverage Co-Packing Matters
Working with a qualified beverage co-packer lets you scale production without massive capital expense.
You gain access to specialized equipment, regulatory expertise, and consistent quality while keeping your core team focused on brand growth.
When evaluating partners, look for transparent pricing, clear communication, and certified quality systems.
A strategic co-packer is more than a supplier — they’re your production ally, helping you get on shelf faster, maintain quality, and stay profitable as you scale.
“Ready to scale your drink brand? Request a custom co-packing quote today.”
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✅ Top FAQs for Beverage Co-Packing
1. What is a beverage co-packer?
A beverage co-packer (also called a copacker or contract manufacturer) is a facility that produces and packages drinks on behalf of a brand. They handle batching, filling, labeling, and logistics under strict food-safety and quality systems, so you can focus on marketing and sales.
2. What’s the difference between co-packing and contract manufacturing?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but contract manufacturing usually refers to the full process — formulation, batching, and packaging — while co-packing can mean only the filling and packaging portion. Most beverage co-packers today provide both services.
3. What types of beverages can you co-pack?
Modern facilities can handle nearly every category: energy drinks, functional beverages, electrolyte hydration, teas, coffees, protein shakes, sparkling waters, carbonated sodas, pre-workout shots, and alcoholic RTDs such as seltzers, cocktails, and spritzers.
4. What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
MOQs vary by container and process. Aluminum cans may start around 2,000–5,000 cases per SKU, while glass or PET bottling often begins near 1,000–3,000 cases. Pilot or trial runs can usually be arranged for smaller quantities to validate your product.
5. How long does beverage co-packing take?
Typical timelines range from 8–12 weeks from approved formula to first production. This includes technical intake, pilot testing, packaging procurement, and scheduling. Reorders can usually be filled within 2–4 weeks once materials are on hand.
6. Do beverage co-packers supply ingredients and packaging?
Some co-packers can source ingredients, cans, bottles, labels, and corrugate on your behalf. Others prefer you to provide materials (called “customer-supplied”). It’s best to clarify who handles purchasing and who owns leftover inventory before production.
7. What certifications should a beverage co-packer have?
Look for SQF, GMP, and HACCP certifications for food safety; Kosher and Halal certifications if needed; and TTB licensing for alcoholic beverages. These indicate the facility follows strict compliance and traceability standards.
8. How is quality controlled during production?
Quality control includes ingredient verification, pH and Brix testing, micro testing, seam or torque checks, and sensory review of every lot. Each run should generate a Certificate of Analysis (COA) before product release.
9. Can a co-packer help with product development or formulation?
Many full-service co-packers offer in-house formulation support or collaborate with beverage R&D labs to refine taste, color, and stability. Others may focus strictly on production, so always confirm during your initial consultation.
10. How do alcoholic beverage co-packers differ from non-alcoholic ones?
Alcoholic co-packers must hold a federal TTB permit and often additional state permits. They manage proof dilution, formula approvals, and excise-tax reporting. Non-alcoholic lines follow FDA regulations and focus on pasteurization or cold-chain stability.
11. What should I prepare before contacting a co-packer?
Have your formula or ingredient list, target packaging (can, bottle, or shot), desired case count, and label artwork ready. Also prepare information on product pH, carbonation, and functional claims — these determine process fit and regulatory requirements.
12. How do I choose the right co-packer for my brand?
Match the facility’s capabilities and certifications to your product type, confirm MOQs fit your forecast, review sample COAs, and assess communication quality. The ideal co-packer feels like an extension of your team — transparent, reliable, and responsive.
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In-Depth Guide: Beverage Co-Packing & Contract Manufacturing (2025 Edition)
1) What Beverage Co-Packing Is—and Why It Exists
Beverage co-packing (also called contract manufacturing, contract bottling, or co-manufacturing) is the business of producing finished drinks for a brand in a third-party, certified facility. Instead of building a plant, hiring operators, and buying multi-million-dollar lines, brands rent capacity on someone else’s equipment under strict food-safety and QA systems.
A modern co-packer is not just a “filler.” They are a production partner that integrates:
Process engineering: batching curves, CIP/SIP, filtration, carbonation, thermal processing.
Packaging science: can/bottle specs, seams/torque, closures, labels/sleeves, case pack-outs.
Regulatory & safety: FDA/FSMA (non-alc) and TTB (alc), HACCP/SQF/GMP compliance, recall readiness.
Supply chain orchestration: materials procurement, line scheduling, warehousing, outbound freight.
Done well, co-packing compresses time-to-market, reduces fixed cost, and lets you scale from pilot to national without building a plant. That’s why startups and blue-chips alike use co-packers.
2) Core Vocabulary (so everyone speaks the same language)
Co-packing: Outsourced filling/packaging of your beverage. Can include batching.
Co-manufacturing: Usually implies full process—ingredient prep, batching, filling, pack-out.
Contract bottling/canning: Emphasis on the containerization step.
Conversion cost: What the co-packer charges to transform inputs into finished cases (labor + line time + overhead).
MOQ: Minimum order quantity per SKU or per run.
CIP: Clean-in-place; automated cleaning/sanitizing of tanks and lines.
COA: Certificate of Analysis; lab/QA record proving the batch passed required specs.
HACCP: Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points; formal food-safety plan.
Flash, Tunnel, Retort, HPP: Different stabilization methods (explained below).
3PL: Third-party logistics (warehousing/shipping).
3) What a Co-Packer Actually Does (End-to-End)
Think of a production run as a controlled relay race with multiple checkpoints:
Technical intake:
Product overview, ingredient list, allergens, pH/°Brix/ABV targets, carbonation level, packaging format.
Process mapping: which unit operations are needed (e.g., deaeration, blending, pasteurization, carbonation).
Fit check: does the line handle your viscosity, particulates, acid profile, alcohol content?
Pilot or line trial:
Small batch to practice batching curves and fill parameters.
Validate taste, color, foam behavior, seam/torque targets, label/sleeve application, case pack.
Gather micro samples and start stability testing (ambient, accelerated).
Procurement & staging:
Order cans/bottles/closures, labels or sleeves, cartons, trays, film; stage ingredients with lot codes.
Approve art proofs; confirm pallet patterns and case counts.
Production:
Batching: controlled add orders, temperature ramps, mix times, filtration passes.
Filling: volumetric or net-weight fills, oxygen pickup minimization, seam/torque monitoring.
Stabilization: flash or tunnel pasteurization, hot-fill/hold, retort, or HPP (if applicable).
Pack-out: date codes, case labels, pallets, stretch wrap, QC release hold.
Quality release:
COA compiled: micro, chemistry (pH/Brix/ABV), physical (seam, torque), sensory notes.
Only then does product ship to 3PL or distributor.
Post-run review & continuous improvement:
Yield, loss points, downtime analysis, flavor drift notes, changeover learnings.
Adjust batch sheets and SOPs for next run.
4) Beverage Formats & What They Mean for Process/Cost
Each package dictates equipment, line speed, and risk profile:
Aluminum cans
Favored for energy, seltzer, soda, many functional drinks.
Options: sleek, standard, slim; sizes 8–19.2 oz.
Pros: fast lines, light shipping weight, great oxygen/light barrier, highly recyclable.
Watchouts: seam integrity, oxygen pickup, label/sleeve shrink quality if not printed.
Glass bottles
Premium look; great chemical resistance; compatible with hot-fill/pasteurization.
Heavier and breakable; higher freight; sometimes slower lines.
PET bottles
Common for sports/hydration; lightweight; flexible MOQ.
Heat distortion risk at higher temps—match to process carefully.
2–3 oz shots
High-speed micro-filling; strict viscosity/foam control; small label tolerances.
Great for pre-workout, wellness, adaptogens, nootropics.
Cartons, pouches, and specialty packaging
Often retort or aseptic; high barrier materials; specific retail channels; branding differentiation.
5) Stabilization & Shelf-Life: Choosing the Right Method
Your formula’s pH, water activity, alcohol content, and intended shelf-life drive the stabilization path.
Hot-Fill
Product heated (≈185°F), filled hot into heat-tolerant containers, held for kill step, then cooled.
Good for juices, teas, many functional still beverages.
Pros: robust shelf stability without tunnels; Cons: heat impact on delicate flavors/colors.
Flash Pasteurization
Rapid heat (short time), then cooled, often followed by filling in sanitary conditions.
Preserves flavor/functional integrity better than prolonged heat.
Used widely for teas, juices, cold-brew coffee when flavor is critical.
Tunnel Pasteurization
Containers are filled and sealed, then pass through temperature zones for microbial kill.
Great for carbonated products and many canned beverages.
Retort
Pressurized steam at high temps; used for shelf-stable pouches/cans; very robust.
Heavier thermal impact—formulate accordingly.
HPP (High-Pressure Processing)
Finished packages subjected to isostatic pressure; minimal heat; “fresh” taste.
Higher cost per unit; great for clean-label positioning; needs compatible packaging and logistics.
Cold Chain (refrigerated)
Avoids thermal processing; preserves freshness; requires refrigerated distribution; shorter shelf-life.
Choose with your co-packer: taste targets, cost tolerance, expected shelf life, and channel realities (ambient vs cold box at retail).
6) Alcoholic vs Non-Alcoholic: Two Regulatory Worlds
Alcoholic (TTB)
Requires TTB permits and often bonded areas for spirits.
Proof dilution, tax class, and COLA (label) approvals.
Controlled ABV accuracy; secure handling; state permits may layer on.
RTD cocktails, spirit-based seltzers, wine coolers/spritzers, FMBs—each has specific rules.
Non-Alcoholic (FDA/FSMA)
Facilities must comply with GMPs and preventive controls; robust HACCP plans.
Acidified vs low-acid foods have different process validations.
Labeling: ingredients by weight, allergens, nutrition facts, domestic address.
Claims (e.g., “no sugar,” “natural,” “electrolyte”) must meet defined thresholds.
Dual-licensed facilities exist, but lines are segregated and SOPs distinct. Your brand may benefit from a partner who can do both as you extend into alc/non-alc variants.
7) Quality by Design: How Good Co-Packers Protect Your Brand
Quality is not an inspection—it’s a system. Expect:
Raw material verification: spec sheets, lot matching, allergen control, storage conditions.
In-process controls: pH/Brix, density/ABV, carbonation at set checkpoints, temperature curves, dissolved oxygen.
Container integrity: seam teardown metrics (cans), torque (caps), leak checks, label/sleeve adhesion.
Micro program: total plate count, yeast/mold, pathogens; environmental swabbing; water quality.
Sensory: gold standard (approved) sample vs current; panel notes logged by batch.
Deviation & CAPA: corrective actions documented, root causes addressed, SOP updates applied.
Recall readiness: mock recalls, lot traceability to the minute.
Ask to review their Quality Manual table of contents, HACCP plan, and example COAs. Serious operators are proud to walk you through their system.
8) Cost Mechanics: Where Price Comes From (and How to Lower It)
Your unit economics are shaped by a handful of levers:
Ingredients & batching
Complex actives, botanicals, emulsions, or nutraceuticals add handling time and QC.
Order of addition and temperature ramps matter—extra passes through filtration cost time.
Packaging & decoration
Printed cans have higher MOQs but best per-unit once scaled.
Sleeves are flexible for small runs; labelers are fastest for PS labels; ensure face stock matches your line.
Cartons/trays/multipacks affect materials + pack-out labor.
Stabilization path
Tunnel/flash add energy/time; HPP adds specialized toll costs; hot-fill needs heat-tolerant containers.
Pick the mildest process that guarantees safety and shelf life.
Volume & changeovers
Higher volumes amortize setup time and reduce waste.
Multiple SKUs or frequent flavor swaps increase changeovers—batch efficiently.
Loss & yield
Expect 1–3% losses; viscous or foamy products can push this higher. Tuning the line reduces waste.
Freight & warehousing
Optimize pallet height and case count; ship FTL when possible; consider regional co-packing to shorten lanes.
How to lower cost without hurting quality
Increase run size or consolidate SKUs per run.
Move from sleeves to printed cans once velocity proves out.
Tighten spec tolerances to reduce rejects.
Use standardized case sizes and pallet patterns.
Pre-stage all materials to eliminate idle time.
9) MOQs, Lead Times, and Seasonal Reality
Real-world guardrails many facilities use (ranges vary by plant):
Cans (carbonated or still): entry MOQs often around a few thousand cases per SKU; higher in peak season.
PET/Glass bottles: MOQs can be more flexible; verify bottle supply and closures.
2–3 oz shots: line speeds are high, so MOQs trend higher in bottles (but total liquid volume is smaller).
Alcoholic RTDs: factor TTB and material lead times; reserve bonded capacity early.
Lead time drivers:
Packaging supply (printed cans/labels/sleeves/cartons).
Co-packer’s calendar (Q2–Q3 fills early for summer).
Your readiness (artwork approvals, formula sign-off, deposits/POs).
Speed tips: pre-book a tentative slot, approve art fast, order long-lead materials early, and lock spec sheets.
10) Building Your Spec: Data You Must Bring to the Intake Call
Show up prepared. You’ll save weeks and earn respect.
Formula basics: target pH/°Brix/ABV, sweetener system, acid system, flavor/aroma notes, colorants, stabilizers, caffeine/actives.
Process assumptions: still vs carbonated; hot-fill/flash/tunnel/HPP; cold-chain vs ambient.
Packaging: can/bottle size, closure type, label vs sleeve vs printed, case configuration (4/6/8/12 packs).
Brand compliance: label copy ready? nutrition facts? allergen callouts? claim substantiation?
Forecast: launch volumes, re-order frequency, seasonality.
Distribution plan: DTC, regional distributors, national retail, export needs.
Quality targets: sensory profile, micro limits, seam/torque ranges, dissolved oxygen limits.
Testing & shelf life: desired shelf life, accelerated testing approach, retention sample plan.
Bring a one-page Product Specification and a simple RFP—you’ll get faster, more accurate quotations.
11) Selecting a Co-Packer: A Practical Framework
Use a clear decision model so you’re not swayed by charisma or a nice tour.
Technical fit: Do they routinely run your process and package? Any recent line-upgrades that benefit you?
Capacity & scheduling: Can they hit your timeline and support scale? Transparent calendar access?
Quality system maturity: Certifications current? CAPA discipline? Micro program robust?
Regulatory proficiency: FDA for non-alc, TTB for alc; label/formula approval support?
Commercial transparency: Line items separated (conversion, materials, tolls)? Clear payment terms?
Communication: Dedicated PM? Daily run updates? Proactive risk alerts?
Flexibility: Will they accommodate pilots, test markets, seasonal spikes?
Location & logistics: Proximity to ingredients and customers; freight lanes efficient?
References: Ask for three relevant references (same format/category/volume band).
Red flags: vague quotes, unwillingness to share sample COAs, no pilot option, or inconsistent answers from ops vs sales.
12) The Pilot: Make or Break for Quality, Cost, and Calendar
Treat the pilot like a dress rehearsal with clipboards, stopwatches, and cameras.
Define success upfront: sensory tolerance, oxygen pickup limits, seam/torque ranges, foam window, target line speed.
Instrument everything: measure temps, pressures, dwell times; log changeovers, downtime causes.
Capture learnings: what foams? where did DO spike? did labels creep? did sleeves tunnel wrinkle?
Update SOPs: adjust add order, temp setpoints, sparging, carb stone, nozzle height, dwell timers.
Retain & test: micro, chemistry, sensory; start shelf-life timer for accelerated and real-time bins.
A clean pilot shortens every future run and lowers cost by eliminating waste.
13) Labeling, Art, and Retail Reality
Your package has to look stunning and run flawlessly at speed.
Print method choice:
Printed cans: best look, lowest unit at scale; high MOQs and longer lead.
Sleeves: full-wrap control with lower MOQ; mind shrink curves and seam clearance.
PS labels: fastest to apply; pick face stock and adhesive rated for your process (condensation, heat).
Regulatory text: nutrition facts, ingredients by weight, allergens, net contents, domestic address; ABV and warning (alc).
Retail expectations: scannable UPC, correct case labels, readable date codes, compliant pallet patterns.
Sustainability cues: recycled content, recyclability claims only if true; align with retailer ESG guidelines.
Ask for a press-proof pack and do a small applied test before mass printing.
14) Logistics After the Fill: Don’t Lose Margin on the Loading Dock
Production isn’t the finish line—delivery is.
Warehousing: temp-controlled if needed; FEFO (first expire, first out); inventory reporting cadence.
Freight: aim for FTL; choose carriers familiar with beverage handling; consider regional production to shorten lanes.
Case & pallet labels: match retailer ASN/EDI requirements; test scanner readability.
Insurance & risk: verify coverage for finished goods at rest; define claim processes for freight damage.
A great co-packer either offers logistics services or plays nicely with your 3PL.
15) Common Failure Modes—and How to Prevent Them
Foam chaos on filler: over-carbonation, surfactants, or too-warm product → lower temp, tune carb, adjust nozzle height and flow.
Flavor fade after thermal: heat-sensitive top notes → shift to flash or adjust flavor load/encapsulation.
Seam leaks/under-fills: seamer out of spec → increase teardown frequency and operator training.
Label lift: wrong adhesive for condensation → switch face stock or run de-watering tunnel.
Micro fails: sanitation gap or post-process contamination → tighten CIP, audit hold times, segregate traffic.
Missed launch dates: long-lead materials and late art approvals → pre-order blanks or sleeves and lock proofs early.
Document each issue with photos, parameters, and corrective actions; update SOPs the same day.
16) Sustainability That Actually Saves Money
Lightweight packaging reduces material cost and freight emissions.
Closed-loop water and heat recovery can cut utilities.
Recycling corrugate/film lowers disposal fees.
Regionalizing production shortens miles and shrink.
Accurate forecasting prevents obsolete inventory waste.
Your buyers (especially chains) increasingly ask for sustainability reporting—have your metrics.
17) The Financial Model: How to Forecast Real Margins (Without Tables)
Build your landed cost per case from the ground up:
Materials (ingredients + primary/secondary packaging)
Conversion (the co-packer’s fee)
Stabilization tolls (if HPP/retort)
Waste/loss factor (1–3% typical, more if foamy/viscous)
Inbound freight to plant + outbound freight to 3PL
Warehousing and handling fees
Compliance costs (certifications, audits, label changes)
Then layer:
Trade spend, slotting, and promotions
Distributor margins
Retailer margins
Returns/damages reserve
Sanity-check: Can you hit target gross margin at realistic velocity? If not, re-engineer packaging choices or pack-out.
18) RFP Template You Can Reuse (Copy/Paste)
Use this in email or a shared doc to get comparable bids:
Subject: RFP – [Brand] Beverage Co-Packing – [Category/Format] – [Target Month]
Overview:
Product type (still/carbonated; alc/non-alc; pH/°Brix/ABV)
Packaging (can/bottle, size, label/sleeve/printed; case pack)
Process assumptions (hot-fill/flash/tunnel/HPP)
Forecast (pilot volume + first 3 commercial orders)
Target shelf life (ambient or refrigerated)
Launch timing and geography
Please quote:
Conversion cost per case at [qty] and [qty]
Stabilization tolls or thermal assumptions
Changeover cost between SKUs
Expected yield/loss assumptions
MOQ per SKU; minimum total run
Lead time for new item and for repeat orders
Storage/warehousing options and fees
QA deliverables (COA, micro panel, seam/torque, DO specs)
Certifications (SQF/GMP/HACCP; TTB if alc)
Payment terms and deposit requirements
Attachments: draft label art, spec sheet, preliminary formula summary, any COAs for critical inputs.
19) Your First Production: How to Make It Boring (In the Best Way)
Pre-flight: everyone receives a one-page run plan with the day’s checkpoints and pass/fail criteria.
Kit the materials: verify counts by pallet and location; stage in run order; double-check lot capture.
Live telemetry: someone logs temperatures, DO, pressures, and line speed every X minutes; photos of seamer screen if applicable.
Immediate triage: any deviation triggers a stop-and-fix, not “we’ll fix it later.”
Post-run huddle: what went right, what failed, what to change; SOPs updated before the next run.
Retention & micro: keep proper retains at ambient/cooler; schedule micro pulls; share COAs to release.
Boring runs are profitable runs. Aim for that.
20) Scaling Up: From 5,000 Cases to 500,000
SKU discipline: promote winners; retire tails.
Printed packages: move from sleeves/labels to printed cans/bottles as volumes justify.
Regional duplication: replicate in East/West to cut freight and risk.
Vendor redundancy: second-source critical materials and, if possible, core co-packing capability.
Data rigor: track OEE (overall equipment effectiveness), yield by SKU, cost variances, and on-time in-full.
Brands that scale keep the factory math visible to the commercial team—and vice versa.
21) Special Topics
Carbonation science
Temperature and pressure curves determine true volumes CO₂; tune stone porosity, back-pressure, and dwell.
Surfactants (sweeteners, flavors, proteins) change bubble dynamics—adjust nozzles and foam management accordingly.
Functionals and stability
Some actives (e.g., polyphenols, amino acids) shift color or taste with heat; encapsulation, chelators, or pH buffers can help.
Cloud/suspension systems need homogenization time, shear profiles, and the right hydrocolloid toolkit.
Cold brew and coffee
Dissolved oxygen and oil extraction require careful filtration and nitrogen purging.
Micro risks differ—watch yeast/mold and spore formers; choose flash/tunnel/HPP accordingly.
Protein & dairy-adjacent
Heat sensitivity, Maillard browning, viscosity creep; may need retort/aseptic specialists.
Allergen controls are stricter; sanitation verification essential.
Electrolytes & minerals
Divalent cations can impact flavor and haze; use sequestering agents or staged addition orders.
22) Compliance & Recall Readiness
Maintain current HACCP, PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) oversight, and documented HARPC if applicable.
Retain batch records and inbound COAs for the full shelf-life plus buffer.
Run mock recalls quarterly: can you trace every case to batch and time window within 2 hours?
Validate claims (sugar-free, no artificial colors, organic, gluten-free) with supplier documentation or lab tests.
Alcohol labels: keep COLAs and formula approvals organized and searchable.
A small documentation habit prevents big disasters.
23) People & Communication: The Secret Advantage
Great plants run on people who care. Look for:
A single production PM you can text.
A real daily update during runs (photos of seams/torque, DO readings, case counts).
An ops lead who will say “no” when you’re asking for a risky change.
A culture that logs every deviation and actually closes CAPAs.
If you feel stonewalled, you’re not a partner—you’re a transaction. Choose partnership.
24) Your 12-Point Pre-Launch Checklist
Final spec sheet signed; success criteria defined.
Pilot learnings baked into SOPs and batch sheets.
All materials on-site, counted, and staged; backups available.
Label/UPC verified; case/pallet labels approved.
Artwork proofs and date code format confirmed.
QA plan set: micro pulls, retains, pass/fail ranges, COA template.
Run plan printed and distributed to every operator.
Freight and warehousing booked; ASN/EDI requirements tested.
Insurance confirmations received (goods at rest/in transit).
Launch window aligned with retail commitments.
Contingency for one critical failure (e.g., backup sleeving vendor).
Post-run huddle scheduled the same day.
25) The Future: Why Co-Packing Will Matter Even More
Retailers demand speed, safety, sustainability, and reliability. New ingredients and formats appear every quarter. Rather than building monolithic plants, brands win with flexibility—and the fastest path to flexibility is a deep, transparent relationship with a best-fit co-packer (or two). Expect smarter sensing on lines, AI-assisted scheduling, more regionalization, and packaging that hits sustainability goals without compromise.
The brands that keep growing will be the ones that treat co-packing as a strategic capability—not a commodity.
26) Conclusion & Next Step
Co-packing turns a great formula into a real product on a real shelf—safely, repeatedly, and at a profit. Choose a partner who matches your process, proves their quality discipline, and communicates like a member of your team. Pilot carefully, specify ruthlessly, document everything, and keep improving. That’s how beverage brands scale.
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