Prism eLogistics, in partnership with The First Round, has launched a new drinks development service designed to help beverage businesses – from start-ups to established brands – bring new products to market faster and more efficiently.
The new service encompasses drink-feasibility assessments, bespoke beverage formulation, compliance support, ingredient sourcing, packaging procurement, pilot production, contract packing, fulfilment and distribution, all delivered through a single UK partner.
While many product-development providers focus solely on formulation or manufacturing, Prism’s turnkey solution offers an end-to-end route from initial idea to retail shelf, giving brands a simpler and more joined-up path to launch.
A key differentiator is the ability to support small-scale pilot runs from just 150 litres. While factories typically require minimum runs of 1,000 litres, Prism presents a cost-efficient solution for gathering market validation before committing to larger runs.
Pilot production is supplied by The First Round, which uses top-spec equipment and processes to achieve the same standards as high-volume manufacturers but at a much smaller scale. The high-quality, low-volume test facility, based at Prism’s Basingstoke site, bridges the gap between the development lab and the factory, allowing brands to create low-cost samples on industry-standard equipment.
Customers also benefit from Prism’s extensive industry network and operational experience across contract packing, shrink sleeving, warehouse storage, fulfilment and distribution. This enables the company to help brands scale, building sustainable commercial success from launch onwards.
Eoghan Macilwraith, Business Development Manager at Prism eLogistics, said: “Developing and launching a new drink can be an incredibly complex process. Whether it’s a start-up business or an established brand bringing a new beverage to market, coordinating multiple suppliers across formulation, compliance, manufacturing, packaging and logistics is both costly and complicated.”
“By bringing the entire process under one roof, Prism is offering straightforward access to the expertise, capabilities and industry connections they need to take a drink from concept to commercial reality.”
Sam Hyde-Hart, founder of The First Round, said: “By offering small-scale runs, The First Round allows for cost-effective testing pre-launch, essentially operating as a factory ‘flight simulator’. Working as part of Prism’s drinks development service, we provide the opportunity to test and refine elements like blend stabilisation, carbonation, pasteurization and shelf-life before investing in larger volume production, potentially saving thousands in the process.”
Prism’s drinks development team supports a wide range of beverage categories, including functional drinks, sports nutrition products and emerging health and wellness concepts.
