01 Answer first
How should SKUs be defined before a water bottling line is selected?
Create a controlled SKU matrix that links each finished good to product, bottle, closure, label, code, secondary pack, pallet, demand period, and launch priority. Use it to identify true format families and changeovers.
02 Where it fits
Position in the project journey
Portfolio definition — before format, tooling, line-balance, and material decisions.
03 Buyer inputs
What the buyer should prepare
- Finished-good master data
- Demand and launch priority
- Approved component specifications
04 Allot Tech and manufacturing-resource inputs
What should be clarified or provided
- Format-family assessment
- Change-part and setup boundary
- Required samples and release dates
Allot Tech coordinates requirement, quotation and project communication. Detailed engineering, manufacture, testing, documentation and confirmed service are performed by selected manufacturing resources according to the signed scope.
05 Technical scope
Questions and work to control
Build One Master SKU Register
Assign a unique identifier to every planned finished good and link its product, container, closure, decoration, code, pack, and pallet revisions.
Separate Commercial Names From Technical Formats
Several labels may use the same physical format, while similar product names may require different materials or controls. Group only by verified technical commonality.
Map SKU Demand by Operating Period
Record demand scenarios by SKU and period, not only annual portfolio volume. Mark evidence strength and launch sequence.
Identify Every Changeover Driver
Compare bottle geometry, neck finish, cap, fill setting, label, code, film or carton, pallet, recipe, inspection, and sanitation implications.
Classify Core, Conditional, and Future SKUs
Core launch formats should drive the approved project basis. Conditional and future formats need explicit reservation, validation, and release rules.
Connect Materials to Supplier Readiness
For each SKU, identify approved vendors, drawings, samples, lead-time assumptions, storage conditions, and ownership of obsolete stock after change.
Test Portfolio Complexity Against Operations
Review campaign size, cleaning, setup verification, quality release, warehouse slots, line scheduling, and training needs created by the portfolio.
Freeze the Launch Portfolio Before Tooling
Approve the technical SKU matrix and mark later additions as controlled changes with impact review before manufacture or test preparation.
Buyer questions answered
Practical answers before you request a quotation
Are different labels always different machine formats?
Not always, but artwork, label material, code, inspection, and material control can still require a documented setup.
Should future SKUs be included in the launch scope?
Only with a defined reservation and validation basis; otherwise keep them as controlled future options.
Who owns the SKU master?
The buyer should assign cross-functional ownership across commercial, quality, packaging, production, and procurement roles.
06 Responsibility
Assign the owner before the work is due
Land, building and civil work, permits, import and customs, local taxes, site utilities, unloading, lifting, local labor, travel support and commissioning materials are not automatically included. Confirm every responsibility before order.
07 Common risks
What commonly creates avoidable uncertainty
- Commercial names hide technical differences
- Future formats silently enter the base scope
- Material revisions are not controlled
08 Acceptance or completion
How to know the stage is complete
Approve when every launch SKU has controlled component references, demand status, format family, changeover implications, and an owner.
09 Required documents
Records that support the decision
- SKU master
- Format-family matrix
- Component approval register
10 Next project step
Turn this decision into a reviewable project brief
Share the product, container, target output, destination and available site information. Unknown inputs can remain open for the first review.
Turnkey scope is project-specific and is defined by the signed technical and commercial agreement.