While serving as an Account Manager at MJS Packaging, Greg Clarke has been able to add value to a variety of projects and industries. His customer list includes household chemical manufacturers, industrial manufacturers, automotive manufacturers, and more. If you really want to get Greg talking and revealing his specialties though, ask him about spirits bottle packaging.
His perspective plus MJS Packaging’s institutional advantages were the perfect inspiration for our newest employee profile introducing you to Greg and what we have to offer for microdistilleries.
Insights for Spirits Bottle Packaging
In previous posts like this one, we have detailed the methods MJS Packaging specialists are employing to help customers get more from their spirits bottle packaging. It also helps immensely to have team members like Greg, passionate about the solutions we provide and leading success with these five key strengths and insights our customers can count on.
1. Rely on MJS Packaging’s historical and geographical edge.
When asked why MJS Packaging is such a good fit for selecting spirits bottle packaging, Greg is sure to mention how historically connected MJS Packaging is to beverages and bottles. This is because our roots run deep, back to 1885 when we began; our founder recycled beer bottles for the 21 breweries then found in Detroit.
“Today, with a customer list that includes both established businesses and many start-ups,” Greg elaborated, “customers really appreciate how we have gained knowledge and patience that will guide them through their beginning stages. From there, it’s all about helping drive success for them as they continue to grow.”
He adds that our location helps, too. According to the Michigan Craft Distillers Association, Michigan ranks third in the nation in terms of the number of microdistilleries. There is still plenty of additional opportunities, though. In Michigan, these microdistilleries only have about 0.5% of the overall spirits market share. But we’re not just about one state; we offer our products and services nationally.
“With so much room for growth, it’s an exciting time to be an innovative force within the industry,” Greg said.
2. Don’t underestimate the hurdles and get the right help to get past them.
As a highly regulated substance, alcohol restrictions and hurdles are something Greg cautions not to underestimate. When microdistilleries have to worry about licensing, high capital costs, building codes, building inspectors, and the task of community education about their business, there is no shortage of challenges. Time also becomes quite scarce. With that in mind, Greg aims to help each microdistillery save time and resources so they can focus on the type of business they want to be.
“The presence of a distillery may be a new concept in many areas,” Greg remarked, “so you have more time and opportunity to form the right image when you have an expert by your side. The last thing you want is to have a rough time sorting through spirits bottle packaging options when there are so many other items on your plate.”
Depending on where you are located, you may need to deal with regulations at multiple levels of government, too, including federal and state laws. Labeling in particular is one area where you need a good understanding of the law.
“It’s a good idea to be creative and sometimes it fits to be edgy, but the fundamentals matter most for your success,” Greg advised. “This is especially important as we make sure there is nothing that can be seen as a false claim, an inappropriate picture, or any other issue that can stifle success or get you in trouble.”
3. Pay close attention to the timing and expectations involved with obtaining spirits bottle packaging.
With the hurdles, requirements, and processes mentioned above, we know it takes quite a bit of time to get the distillery packaging really going.
“Our team can help prevent a number of issues and alleviate any that cannot be prevented,” Greg explained. “In some ways, the packaging process can be like building a house—some things can take longer than expected due to unexpected delays and some things don’t go as planned. With glass bottles, they are not always instantly available. Even stock bottles can be delayed if the manufacturer is out of stock and there is no production scheduled—it can take months to get the bottles. The right packaging partner makes a world of difference in those instances.”
Greg continued to describe how importing from Asia can also take two to three months. Or, if you decide you want to make a custom bottle, you need to factor in four to six months for that.
“With MJS Packaging’s global network, we have an advantage with timelines and suppliers, but it is crucial to understand the time required for proper spirits bottle packaging,” Greg concluded.
4. With award-winning contributions to the spirits industry, you can be confident in what MJS Packaging has to offer.
As you read this article, you might be wondering “How can you be sure MJS Packaging will bring your spirits bottle packaging to a new level?” With the right track record to back him up, Greg can tell you.
“The folks who are getting into the micro-distillery business know how to make a great product,” Greg said. “And we want them to be able to focus on making the best product and doing all the labors of love they have to do just to get and keep the doors open. We have a proven record of success with taking on the headaches that can come along with their packaging and providing them with something their consumers will love.”
As one example, our partnership with Motor City Gas exemplified several ways we can help any microdistillery.
“We shared options until the right fit was found. We also made sure every aspect of the bottle fit the flavor and personality of the brand. It was very important for Motor City Gas to make the right impression, and we kept that in mind with each step we took.”
You can also count on MJS Packaging to give you the pros and cons of packaging. When you are deciding between deco, stock, and custom bottles, as well as with many other choices, we can help you make a fully informed decision.
“We pride ourselves on providing the best customer service,” Greg added, “and we will invest the time to understand the needs of our customers.”
5. Trends and best practices matter, and we are watching closely for anything that can bring satisfaction and ROI for our customers.
When it comes to trends, the micro-distillery boom is still a little new and it may be too soon to tell. However, Greg can help you find the right fit based on emerging options and best practices. This includes labeling options, closures, and even bottle size.
“One thing to note in this area is that we typically see people start with a 750mL bottle, and then move into a 375mL or even a 1L bottle,” Greg said. “I’m now getting more requests for 50mL, too. These sample size bottles are often a good part of the micro distillery’s marketing effort. What you choose will really depend on the distribution model and whether you are in retail or just selling it at your own bar.”
Continuing His Work with Distilleries
Among all the practical reasons and methods we employ to help distilleries, it helps to know that team members like Greg enjoy working with distilleries, too.
“I love the entrepreneurial spirit I see with folks at microdistilleries,” Greg added. “Many of them are Gen Xers like me, and they’ve left careers in marketing or engineering to set off on a new venture and really follow a dream. It’s exciting to be a part of seeing that come to life and it’s pretty cool to work with places like Two James, the first licensed distillery in Detroit since the Prohibition.”
“From identifying good supply sources to finding the right approach,” Greg concluded, “there have been tremendous signs of growth potential in this industry. It’s exciting to see our strategy playing out and we are excited about the next projects we work on.
If you are in the spirits business, yours can be next. You might even get to know Greg better as he applies his enthusiasm to your project. Just click to contact us today!
