Skip to content
Kolineo

Beverage warehousing and distribution

Cans, bottles, energy drinks: Kolineo offers beverage warehousing in Sherbrooke, Québec, and near Chicago, and handles distribution across Canada and the U.S., by the unit for online customers or by the pallet for retailers.

Estimate my costs Request a quote
Pallets of canned beverages

Beverage logistics: why it’s a different game

Beverages are heavy for their size. A case of 24 cans weighs around 20 lb (9 kg), and a full pallet can approach or exceed a metric ton. Every pound shows up on the freight bill, and a format mistake (a 12-pack instead of a 24-pack, the wrong flavor) is expensive to fix once the pallet has left.

They’re fragile in their own way, too. A dented can or a cracked glass bottle means an unhappy customer, and sometimes a soaked carton that damages the parcels next to it in the carrier network. Shipping packaging has to hold up without inflating the bill.

Beverage distribution also runs on several channels at once: online sales, grocery stores, convenience stores, big-box retailers. Retailers impose their own rules (pallet configuration, labels, minimum dates, delivery appointments), and sales follow the seasons, peaking in summer and over the holidays. Your beverage warehousing has to absorb those swings.

Beverage warehousing and fulfillment at Kolineo

From inbound pallets to outbound parcels, every step accounts for the weight and fragility of your products.

  • Full-pallet receiving

    Your pallets are unloaded, checked and put away quickly, so your products are available to sell without delay.

  • By the unit, case or pallet

    One can for an online shopper, a case for a grocery store, a pallet for a distribution center: it all ships from the same inventory.

  • Packaging against breakage

    We define the shipping packaging for each format with you, protecting cans and bottles without inflating billable weight.

  • Heavy freight at negotiated rates

    Parcel, LTL or FTL: our daily volumes give us competitive rates. Our clients save 28% on shipping on average.

  • Retail deliveries

    Kolineo ships to retailers such as Costco, Walmart, Sobeys and Sam’s Club, with their requirements in mind.

  • Best-before dates

    Before your first inbound shipment, we agree with you on what to track and the order in which stock should ship out.

Loading beverage cases into a truck

An industry Kolineo knows well

Several Kolineo clients are beverage brands, from canned drinks to bottled products and energy drinks. One of them, the general manager of a canned beverage company, says he cut his shipping costs by 40% with us, even though he already had preferred rates elsewhere.

Sales spike in summer or before the holidays? You don’t need to hire for your peaks: our team picks and packs your orders. Targeting the U.S. market? Our Chicago warehouse puts your products closer to American customers. For shipping options, see our transport page.

  • Energy drinks
  • Canned beverages, by the unit or by the case
  • Bottled beverages
  • Coffee and related products

What our clients say

« A very efficient service that every ecommerce business needs. Parcels ship very quickly and they are always ready to adapt to special cases. I cut my shipping costs by 40%, even though I already had preferred rates with platforms claiming to offer the best rates. »

General Manager Canned beverage industry

  • « In a 20-year career, I have never seen so much commitment and professionalism. I was impressed from day one. I thought it was just the beginning… It has been like that for 3 years now. »

    President, Pet industry

  • « I could not be more satisfied with Kolineo’s services. Our group was looking for a trustworthy, human team that makes a difference. After evaluating all the major 3PL companies, we chose Kolineo. Looking back, I can say that this decision was key to our success. »

    CEO, Beverage industry

  • « When choosing my 3PL, I was looking at price, but not only that. I wanted a partner focused on my growth, one that supports me through the good and the tougher times of my business. Kolineo is that partner. »

    CEO, Beverage and food industry

Beverage logistics FAQ

Do you handle canned drinks and glass bottles?

Yes, cans and bottles are among the products Kolineo already fulfills. For glass, we work with you on suitable shipping packaging, especially for parcels going to consumers, which pass through several sorting centers.

Can you ship full pallets to retailers?

Yes. We prepare your B2B orders by the case or by the pallet and ship them LTL or FTL across Canada and the U.S. Send us each retailer’s vendor guide and we’ll use it to prepare your shipments to their rules.

How do you keep freight costs down on such heavy products?

Three levers: rates negotiated on large volumes, the right mode (parcel, LTL or FTL) for each shipment size, and packaging that protects without adding unnecessary weight or volume. On average, our clients save 28% on shipping. Run a first estimate with our 3PL cost calculator.

Can you build variety packs or promotional formats?

Yes. Kitting and assembly are part of our services: mixed-flavor cases, gift sets and promotional bundles are put together in the warehouse from your products. Tell us which formats you sell and how often, and we’ll plan assembly with you ahead of your peak periods.

We’re a U.S. beverage brand. Can you help us sell in Canada?

Yes. Our Sherbrooke warehouse ships across Canada, and we coordinate import and customs clearance with the transport. Keep in mind that beverages sold in Canada must meet Canadian labeling rules, including English and French on the label; that part remains the brand’s responsibility, so check it before your first shipment.

Do your drinks need to stay cold?

Tell us on the first call. Most canned and bottled drinks keep at room temperature, but if your products require a specific temperature range, we’ll tell you honestly whether our facilities are the right fit.

Do you handle alcoholic beverages?

Alcohol sales and distribution are regulated by provincial and state rules and by the permits or licenses you hold. Tell us about your situation first, and we’ll look together at what’s possible.

Related services and industries

3PL services for other industries

Let’s talk about your beverages

Formats, volumes, sales channels: tell us how you distribute today and we’ll prepare a detailed quote.

Request a quote (819) 861-2354