Granby strengthens drinks sector capabilities with bonded excise warehouse approval

Granby has expanded its logistics and fulfilment capabilities with the approval of its Blackburn operation as a bonded excise warehouse, creating new opportunities to support drinks brands, importers and distributors with a more integrated UK supply chain solution.

The new bonded capability enables eligible alcohol products to be stored under duty suspension, providing businesses with greater flexibility over when stock is released and excise duty becomes payable.

For Granby, the significance of the approval extends beyond bonded storage itself. By combining the new capability with its established warehousing, contract packing, fulfilment and distribution services, Granby can support a greater proportion of the product journey within one operation, helping clients reduce complexity and the number of handovers across its supply chain.

Caroline Noblett, managing director of Granby Marketing Services, said: “Securing our bonded excise warehouse approval is an important development for Granby, but the real opportunity is what it allows us to offer alongside the services we already provide.

“For drinks brands, managing different stages of the supply chain across several suppliers can add complexity. Where bonded storage, packing, fulfilment and distribution are all required, there is a real opportunity to bring those activities together.

“Being able to hold eligible stock under duty suspension means we can support clients much earlier in that journey and then manage the next stages as and when the product is required.

“That could be stock being held ahead of a retail launch, a seasonal peak or a promotional campaign before moving into gift packing or another contract packing activity, followed by fulfilment and distribution.

“For us, the starting point is always the client requirement. Rather than expecting a business to fit around a predefined logistics model, we want to understand what they are trying to achieve and build the right combination of services around that.”

The new capability is relevant to both established drinks businesses reviewing their existing logistics arrangements and growing or international brands considering how best to structure their UK operations.

Holding eligible products under duty suspension can give businesses greater control over the timing of product release, particularly where stock is being held in preparation for future demand, retail activity or promotional campaigns.

Combining this with Granby’s wider services means clients can consider the full journey of their products within one solution, from storage through to packing, fulfilment and onward distribution.

The bonded excise warehouse approval complements Granby’s established expertise in warehousing, contract packing, fulfilment and distribution.

Caroline said: “The important thing for us is that bonded warehousing doesn’t sit in isolation. It complements our contract packing, fulfilment and distribution capabilities and allows us to have a much wider conversation with clients about their overall requirements.

“If you are a drinks brand, importer or distributor reviewing your UK warehousing and fulfilment arrangements, we’d welcome the opportunity to understand where we might be able to simplify that journey.”

Granby’s new bonded excise warehouse capability is now available as part of its wider logistics, warehousing, contract packing and fulfilment services from its Blackburn operation.