Customer case study
Dawn Coffee Chain: Custom Glassware for 20 Stores
A 2024 project for Dawn Coffee: three coffee glass sizes and glass straws, a 20,000-unit first order, trials in two stores, regional distribution and a 15,000-unit reorder.
- Coffee stores
- 20
- First order
- 20,000 units
- Reported transport breakage
- 0.7%
- September 2024 reorder
- 15,000 units
01 / Project brief
The brief: one glassware collection across 20 stores
Dawn Coffee operated 20 stores serving specialty coffee and light meals. On April 8, 2024, its procurement manager contacted Glarivo about inconsistent glassware, cracking during temperature changes and approximately 800 broken items per month.
The request combined a consistent brand appearance with smooth rims, stable bases, stackability and lower replacement needs. Glarivo replied the same day and arranged a video meeting for April 9.
02 / Requirements
Confirming drink service, rack space and brand details
From April 9 to 11, three rounds of discussion covered the coffee machines, serving temperatures, iced drink ratios, cup rack dimensions, stacking heights and beverage capacities used in the stores.
The team also reviewed the brand colors, logo and typeface. The agreed direction was clear glass with smooth rims and thickened bases, a thicker wall for the cold brew glass, and subtle frosted and fired-on brand details.
03 / Product design
Three glass sizes and a coordinated glass straw
Between April 12 and 15, Glarivo developed proposals for the latte glass, cold brew glass, iced americano glass and glass straw. The client wanted the branding to fit a minimalist cafe setting.
The selected decoration placed a frosted logo at the middle of the glass, a thin ring in the brand color around the base, and capacity markings on the glass wall to support consistent drink preparation.
| Item | Capacity | Use and design direction |
|---|---|---|
| Latte glass | 250 ml | Hot latte and cappuccino |
| Cold brew glass | 350 ml | Thicker wall; cold brew and iced drip coffee |
| Iced americano glass | 400 ml | Straight body; iced americano and sparkling water |
| Glass straw | — | Paired with cold drinks |
04 / Sample review
Sample checks followed by a trial in two stores
Molds and samples were prepared between April 16 and 21. The project sample review covered logo adhesion, capacity, rim finish, base condition, temperature changes and the finish of the glass straw mouth.
The sample record describes 50 consecutive dishwasher cycles without logo peeling, a 1.2-meter drop check without a shattered base, and a temperature-change check from 100°C water to 0°C ice water without cracking. Capacity tolerance was controlled within ±3%. These were checks of the project samples.
Dawn Coffee then selected two stores for a seven-day trial. Baristas reported stable stacking and a steady position on the counter; customers commented on the substantial feel and the appearance of the cold brew glass.
05 / Order terms
Agreeing the order, delivery and replacement terms
From April 22 to 25, Glarivo quoted quantity tiers. The 20,000-unit tier carried an 8% lower unit price than the smaller-order tier; the 50,000-unit tier offered a further 5% reduction.
The initial order was confirmed for 20,000 units. Payment was 30% deposit and 70% before shipment. The contract stated a delivery period of 25 days after sample confirmation, supplier compensation for transport breakage above 1.5%, and free replacement within 30 days for logo peeling or glass cracking.
06 / Production
Glass forming, annealing and fired-on decoration
Production ran from April 26 to May 18. The selected material was high-white glass. The production sequence used automatic press-and-blow forming, annealing, silk-screen printing and firing of the decoration.
Capacity, rim finish and base condition were sampled every two hours during production. The decoration process was followed by adhesion and dishwasher checks on the finished samples.
07 / Inspection
Inspection before packing
From May 19 to 21, the inspection team used AQL 2.5 sampling. Checks covered appearance, rim and base dimensions, height, capacity, internal stress, lead and cadmium migration, and logo adhesion.
Appearance inspection checked for bubbles, scratches and impurities. A polariscope was used for internal stress, and logo inspection included cross-hatch adhesion and dishwasher testing. The project record reports a final batch pass rate of 99.3%.
08 / Packaging
Individual protection and three regional warehouses
Packing and shipping took place from May 22 to 25. Each glass was placed in a dust-proof bag and separated from adjacent pieces by corrugated dividers. Five-layer corrugated cartons carried fragile and orientation markings.
Cartons were palletized, wrapped in film and sent through a dedicated logistics service with transport insurance. The first 20,000 units were allocated to warehouses in East China, South China and North China to support nearby store replenishment.
09 / Store receiving
Store acceptance and handling instructions
The 20 stores received their orders between May 26 and 30. Reported transport breakage was 0.7%. Acceptance sheets recorded quantities, item types and breakage.
Glarivo provided guidance on dishwasher placement, stacking heights and avoiding sudden temperature changes, together with videos on rim inspection and replenishment categories. A store manager reported that assigning a fixed place to each glass type made bar service faster.
10 / Store feedback
Feedback from June to August 2024
The stores reported that the capacity markings helped standardize drink preparation. Their dishwasher feedback recorded no logo peeling after 200 wash cycles.
Procurement reported that in-store breakage fell from 7% to 1.1%, while the replenishment cycle shortened to seven days. The marketing department reported an approximately 40% increase in social-media coffee-table photos featuring the custom glassware.
11 / September reorder
A September reorder added cold brew pitchers and milk jugs
In September 2024, Dawn Coffee ordered another 15,000 units: 8,000 additional 350 ml cold brew glasses, 4,000 glass cold brew pitchers and 3,000 glass milk jugs.
The cold brew pitcher received a drip-proof spout and the milk jug a thicker wall for the autumn beverage menu. The cooperation continued as an annual glassware supply relationship.
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 350 ml cold brew glasses | 8,000 |
| Glass cold brew pitchers | 4,000 |
| Glass milk jugs | 3,000 |
12 / Results
Order quantities and reported project results
The project combined one initial collection with trials, production inspection, regional distribution and a later expansion of the range. The figures below are the results recorded for this customer project.
| Measure | Recorded result |
|---|---|
| First order | 20,000 units; received May 26–30, 2024 |
| Transport breakage | 0.7% |
| In-store breakage | 7% before the project; 1.1% in June–August feedback |
| Dishwasher feedback | 200 wash cycles without logo peeling |
| 20,000-unit quote tier | 8% lower unit price than the smaller-order tier |
| Replenishment cycle | 7 days |
| September reorder | 15,000 units, including two new item types |
| Customer photo sharing | Approximately 40% increase reported by the marketing department |
13 / Customer review
The procurement manager’s review
“From the inquiry stage, the glarivo team helped us sort out our store needs, and during the sampling stage they let our stores test the glasses in real use. Now the glasses across 20 stores are unified, breakage is lower, and customers are more willing to take photos. We will continue to work with them on glass cold brew pitchers and milk jugs.” — Dawn Coffee Chain Procurement Manager
Plan your glassware project with Glarivo
Share your beverage capacities, store count, rack dimensions, brand artwork and delivery plan. Glarivo can use that brief to prepare a glassware shortlist and sampling proposal for your coffee business.