Industry: Craft Brewing
Region: New England, USA
Client Since: 2022
Achieving Can Supply Chain Stability
When freight costs surpassed $5,000 per delivery for Great North Aleworks, and its supplier began requiring five truckload minimums for 12-ounce cans, the Manchester, New Hampshire-based craft brewery needed a new partner fast. With its facility just 25 minutes away, Can-One USA helped Great North build a more financially-sustainable business model, and provided services like warehousing and technical troubleshooting, that allowed the small craft brewer to remain competitive.
The Challenge: Skyrocketing Shipping Costs and Unsustainable Minimum Orders
When it opened in 2015, Great North Aleworks, based in Manchester, New Hampshire, initially worked with one of the industry’s major suppliers. But when the company closed its Lawrence, Massachusetts plant in 2018, and later dropped Great North as a customer altogether, Great North signed on with Ball Corporation. However, that relationship was short lived, when Ball changed its minimum order quantity and directed customers like Great North to buy its cans at a significant premium from 3rd party brokers. Over time, it became clear that this just wasn’t a sustainable system long term.
The brewery faced:
- Five truckload minimums for 12-ounce cans (That’s more than a million cans!)
- Freight costs that could exceed $5,000 per delivery
- Shipments that came from as far as Mississippi, Illinois, and New York
The Solution: A Local Partner With Services That Were the Perfect Fit
Great North had heard that Can-One USA was opening a plant in nearby Nashua.
In addition to being able to order fractional truckloads, Great North loved the idea of having a supplier so close to home. Not only could Great North radically reduce its costs, but it could also proof new designs in person. Most importantly, it allowed Great North to take advantage of Can-One USA’s value-added services, like warehousing and technical assistance. Recently, when Great North ran into some technical issues on its own can-filling line, technicians from Can-One USA were on site within hours to troubleshoot.
The Results: Reduced Costs, Improved Stability, and Customized Service
By partnering with Can-One USA, Great North Aleworks was able to:
- Place orders in fractional truckloads
- Get on-the-spot troubleshooting for can-filling operations
- Have in-person “press-check” proofing of a run
- Take advantage of warehousing for their cans
- Receive graphic design assistance
Looking Ahead
With Can-One USA as a trusted partner, Great North Aleworks has secured stability and efficiency across its can supply.
By locking in affordable, reliable pricing and avoiding costly production delays, the brewery gained the confidence to plan for the future without compromise. Proximity to Can-One’s team has reduced freight costs, ensured consistent technical support, and strengthened collaboration every step of the way. Most importantly, the partnership has allowed Rob and his team to focus on what matters most, growing the business while maintaining the quality and cost control that define Great North Aleworks.
“We’re very thankful for the opportunity to get cans from 25 minutes down the road at down-to-earth prices. It allows us to reinvest in our business and employees, and stay competitive in the very crowded craft brew industry. We’ve worked extremely closely with Can-One’s graphic design team. When we were working on new designs, it was great to be able to swing by and look at color proofs and do a press check. And as a scrappy little craft brewery in Manchester, we’re able to get a high level of customer service that I would expect if we were a big player like an Anheuser–Busch or a Coca–Cola. It’s super refreshing.“
— Rob North, Founder
Why Can-One USA?
Let’s build something together. If you’re a beverage maker looking for a responsive, regional can supplier who understands your business. Can-One USA’s strategic location and customer-first model make it a perfect fit for the region’s growing craft brewing scene. The close proximity isn’t just a convenience, it’s a competitive advantage that reduces costs, builds trust, and strengthens local industry ties.
- Based in Nashua, NH, within 200 miles of 5 New England states
- Offers quarter- and half-truckload programs, perfect for seasonal SKUs
- Provides local warehousing and support
- Proudly serves 300+ beverage makers across the U.S.