When it comes to launching a new spirit, the liquid in the bottle plays a huge role in the success – you can’t have a successful spirit if it doesn’t taste good! But alongside this, you need to have a good bottle to sell the liquid in.
When you go to the shops, the best bottles are instantly noticed and if they look unique enough, there is a good chance you will buy them purely from the design, not the taste. If you think about it, a lot of people like to display their nice bottles on top of a fireplace or on the top of a drinks trolley – Crystal Head Vodka rings a bell for a unique design and so does Cygnet 22 Welsh Dry Gin. The not so pretty bottles get put inside a cupboard, hidden away until they fancy what’s inside.
Whether you are thinking about launching a new vodka, a new gin or any type of spirit for that matter, getting the right spirit bottle can take you from an entry level to a market leader. Below we look more into Glass Rock and why they might be the perfect company to get in touch with when you are ready to launch your new spirit.
Keep on reading to learn more about Glass Rock, what they do well and some improvement that could be made.
GlassRock is an ISO 9001 certified glass packaging manufacturer based in Shandong, China, specializing in custom mold design and production for spirits, wine, beer, food, and cosmetic brands worldwide. Unlike trading companies, GlassRock owns its factory with an in-house mold workshop, decoration lines (screen printing, spraying, labeling), and full quality control – offering a true one-stop solution from custom design to full-container delivery. Trusted by global brands for premium glass bottles and jars with MOQ starting at one 20ft container.
There are so many things Glass Rock does well, below we have listed a couple of key points that we think are important, such as bespoke bottle design, competitive pricing and the premium quality they can offer.
One of Glass Rock’s biggest strengths is its ability to create fully customised spirit bottles. As we mentioned above, the way a bottle looks has a big impact on whether a consumer will buy it or not (sometimes people will buy for the look of a bottle, without considering the taste).
From embossed logos and unique bottle shapes through to coloured glass, frosting and decorative finishes, Glass Rock offers plenty of options for brands wanting to create something distinctive and memorable.
Pricing is another area where Glass Rock appears highly competitive. Thanks to their large-scale manufacturing setup and fully automated factory, the company is able to produce premium-looking bottles at pricing that may be more accessible than some European manufacturers. When looking into pricing, it’s definitely worth getting a quote from Glass Rock.
When launching a spirit brand, quality matters just as much as appearance, and this is another area where Glass Rock appears to perform strongly. The company is both ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 certified, helping provide reassurance around manufacturing consistency, quality control and food safety standards throughout the production process. On a quick look at their website, you will see they have supplied many reputable brands including Coca Cola, Diageo, San Miguel and more.
We would highly recommend Glass Rock, but there are some areas where improvement can be made, these include lead time, minimum order quantities and the time zones you will have to operate in.
One of the biggest considerations when working with an overseas manufacturer is lead times. Compared to using a UK or European supplier, production and shipping can naturally take a little longer, especially during busy periods or when creating fully custom bottle moulds. If your company isn’t in a rush to get your spirits to market, this shouldn’t be a problem.
When working with large-scale manufacturers, you often find they have a minimum order quantity. For a lot of producers, this isn’t an issue, but if you are a start-up brand, still getting used to the market, this number may be higher than you would like to go to.
While this is fairly common within the glass manufacturing industry, it may still be a consideration for businesses wanting to launch in smaller batches before scaling up production.
For a lot of businesses this may not be a biggy, but it’s worth a mention in the time zones. With different time zones in play, this can occasionally slow down parts of the process, particularly during the early design and sampling stages where regular feedback may be needed.
That said, this is something many businesses are already familiar with when sourcing products internationally and is unlikely to be a major issue for most brands. But if you are new to the industry, it’s something you will have to get used to, working across different time zones.
Overall, Glass Rock appears to offer a strong solution for spirit brands looking for premium custom bottle manufacturing at competitive prices. They have worked with plenty of big brands and have many positive reviews. Their ability to manage everything from mould creation through to decoration and large-scale production helps create a far more streamlined process for businesses wanting a one-stop manufacturing partner.
While overseas production may not suit every business, especially those wanting shorter lead times or smaller production runs, Glass Rock offers an impressive range of services for brands serious about creating standout spirit packaging.
What type of spirit are you planning on making and have you thought about the bottle design yet? Have you used Glass Rock before and what were your thoughts of the service they offered? What’s your favourite spirit to drink on a Friday night after a busy day at work? Let us know in the comment box below. We look forward to hearing from you.