For new brands
How to find the right co-packer in London and the UK
Finding a co-packer, the canner, bottler, or contract manufacturer who will actually produce your drink, is usually the first serious decision a new brand makes. Get it right and you have a reliable partner for years. Get it wrong and you're back here in six months, having lost time, budget, and a chunk of your first year's momentum.
Here's what actually matters, based on the questions that come up again and again when working with founders across London and the wider UK.
Start with format, not location
It's tempting to search "co-packer near me" first. Format almost always matters more than distance: not every canner runs small batches, not every bottler handles carbonated drinks, and not every facility is set up for the ABV or ingredient profile you need. Narrow by format and minimum order quantity first, then look at who's realistically reachable from London.
Ask about minimum order quantities early
This is where most first-time founders get caught out. A facility built for six-figure annual volumes may not even reply to an enquiry for a first run of a few thousand units, or may quote a price that makes the numbers impossible. Ask directly, and ask early, rather than falling in love with a facility that was never going to work for your stage.
Get a recipe that's actually production-ready
A recipe that tastes right in a test kitchen doesn't always survive a real production line. Shelf-life, stability, and how a formulation behaves at scale are different questions to how it tastes in a glass at home. Working through this before approaching a co-packer saves both sides a lot of wasted back-and-forth.
Watch for who's actually recommending the partner
Ingredient suppliers, packaging companies, and some consultants have existing relationships with specific co-packers, which isn't necessarily a problem, but it's worth knowing whether a recommendation is based on what your product needs, or on who's easiest to refer. An independent consultant with no production line of their own has no reason to push you toward one facility over another.
Questions worth asking any co-packer directly
- What's your minimum order quantity for this format?
- What other products do you already run, and are any a conflict of interest?
- What does a typical lead time look like from signed recipe to finished stock?
- Who handles quality control, and what happens if a batch doesn't meet spec?
- What's included in the quoted price, and what's billed separately?
Common questions
What is a co-packer?
A co-packer (or contract manufacturer) is a company that produces, fills, and packages drinks on behalf of a brand, so the brand doesn't need its own factory or production line.
How small a batch can a co-packer run?
It varies widely by format and by co-packer. Some canning and bottling lines are set up for small first runs, while others require large minimum volumes, matching a brand to the right one is often the difference between an affordable launch and one that isn't.
How do I find a co-packer in London or the UK?
Most founders start with industry directories, trade shows, and word of mouth, then narrow the list based on format, minimum order quantity, and location. An independent consultant can shortcut this by matching a brand directly to suitable partners.
Need help finding the right partner for your product?
Taste Right matches new and established drink brands with the co-packers, canners and bottlers suited to what they actually need, based in London, working across the UK.
Book a discovery call →