Starting a Commercial Bottling Business

The commercial bottling business is a good way to earn money. This article gives you an overview of the commercial bottling process.

One of the least explored start-up business ideas is the commercial bottling business.

There number small to medium sized food and beverage-manufacturing businesses have grown steadily over the years. Most of these businesses prefer to focus on manufacturing side leaving the bottling aspect for someone else to do.

Starting a commercial bottling business is easy once you get the hang of it. The task is simple and mostly routine. And don’t worry, you don’t need to spend a fortune on expensive industrial equipment. Yet, you can start by doing things manually.

    To give you a clearer picture, here’s an overview of the bottling process.
  • Select the appropriate bottle type and bottle cap. The most commonly used bottle cap is the metal crown cap which is perfect for plain bottles.
  • Sterilize your bottles. Clean the interior and exterior of the bottle by scrubbing them with a bottlebrush and immersing them in boiling water mixed with bleach solution. Let the bottle stay in the solution for a minimum of thirty minutes. Then, remove and rinse thoroughly. Your bottles are now sterilized.
  • Clean and sanitize the rest of the tools you will be using. Anything that touches the food or beverage product, no matter how briefly, must be cleaned thoroughly.
  • With the help of a small funnel, fill your bottle with the product. Remember to leave about an inch of space from the bottle mouth. To make your job easier and faster, you may consider using a siphon.
  • Now, cap your bottle. If you are using bail top bottles, simply place the stopper over the mouth of your bottle then firmly push the clamp down. If you are using plain bottles on the other hand, place the cap over the top of the bottle then place the clapper over the cap and press both levers firmly and evenly.
  • The final step in the process is putting labels on your bottle. Include vital information such as product name, bottling date, and expiration date.

Before you dive into the commercial bottling business, it is important for you to acquaint yourself with the various business aspects. As a business owner, you will be expected to do a lot of everything from marketing, accounting, admin work, to human resources management and so on.

To make your job easier, the first thing you should focus on is creating a business plan. A business plan is vital because it keeps you from straying far from your goal. Spend time and research on the industry to ensure that your business plan is comprehensive.

  • Study your target market’s profile. Try to find out what their expectations are. Once you know who your target market is, then you can proceed with strategizing a marketing approach that is tailor fitted to your market.
  • Study the competition. Determine your competitive advantage (or disadvantage) over them.
  • Study your finances. How much did you spend for the whole bottling operation? Using this as basis, how much should you charge for your service?

On a final note, to succeed in this business, you must have a winning attitude. Build on your strengths and improve on your weaknesses. When an opportunity presents itself, don’t hesitate to grab it.

17 Comments

  • Lornette said on March 30, 2009
    would like to make, bottle and label my own pepper sauce and special home made caribbean seasoning product from my kitchen for retail sale but do not know how to start please help me; will like suggestions what is the best start up ideas. Thank you, Lornette
  • Deborah said on June 5, 2009
    Most communities have strict laws about commercial bottling in your home. Most require a commercial kitchen separate from your home. It could be in a garage or basement, but it must be separate from your home kitchen. It must have commercial equipment usually stainless steel, freezers and coolers with temperature gauges, and stainless steel on the walls. It must be inspected and approved by the local health dept, also.
  • Veena Oza said on April 10, 2010
    I have a 6000 sq. facility and want to start a bottling business or some kind of clean business. Can you suggest something?
  • Adriana Laboy said on July 5, 2010
    I am trying to figure out the best way to start a holiday/ seasonal mixed drink /alcoholic beverage. I would like to do it from my own home because it seems simple and convenient. What are considerations to have on this type of venture? Thanks
  • kapil akhotia said on April 27, 2011
    i want to start bottling plant.what will the cost and how much will be investment for the same. Regards, Kapil..
  • Couch Locked said on April 28, 2011
    Kapil, I'm also interested in a specialized pop. So, if you find out, please forward any information to me. I am in Michigan and interested in a small specialized targeted market. Thanks.
  • rodney said on May 4, 2011
    Need interested business partner to explore into bottling industry on small to medium. Scale funds and.resources can be sought , I am in PNG i
  • Kelso Coleman said on May 7, 2011
    @rodney, I am looking along these same lines. We should touch base and see if we have similar expectations and directions. Kelsocoleman@yahoo.com
  • audrey wilson said on May 25, 2011
    I recently received a patent of a special tea drink and I am trying to start a bottling company to bottle it. How do I get started and what is the most inexpensive way to get started.
  • rohitash jaiswal said on December 5, 2011
    i want to start a liquor bottling plant on a small scale in the cheapest way. please tell me the approximate cost, how to get the license, approximate land in square ft required.
  • Sagar Jadhav said on July 21, 2012
    I want to know, which machine is required for manufacturing metal caps and how much cost of machine and Cost required for Installation of Plant. reply as soon as possible.
  • Michael M. said on November 2, 2012
    I need help finding local companies for bottling my sauces. My wife and I have a restaurant business. We believe our products would go great in international and whole foods type markets. Thank you, Michael
  • Melanie W. Brennan said on November 24, 2012
    Hagatna, Guam USA. considering starting a sauce business but currently don't have a bottling company to handle
  • Klaus Braun said on March 25, 2013
    I have a fantastic soup recipe and want to bottle a market a line of soups. I haven't the first clue where to begin as I am an unemployed electrician and this sort of thing is a bit out of my depth. I live in Worcester county Maryland. Help, help, help... where to begin?
  • Hasan Fitaihi said on May 8, 2014
    hello, I am interested in starting a smoothie company that sells bottled smoothies in supermarkets in Saudi Arabia. I am not sure how I can get in touch with an expert to help me with the blends, processes, necessary preservatives for longer shelf life etc. can you help?
  • Darlene Seel said on July 30, 2014
    I live in Southern Calif. I am thinking of bottling my cole slaw dressing. My question is when you use a capping machine does the machine suck out the air to give it a better shelf life and make it not have to be refrigerated before opening?
  • John Curry said on January 3, 2016
    John Curry Reno NV. I am interested in discussing opportunities with any commercial water bottling operations interested in expansion into the NV market. We currently supply 300 homes with residential water however we are now considering expansion into a bottle water program.

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