How Tap’in 3PL Transformed Beverage Logistics

Meeting a growing market

Founded in 2012 by a logistics enthusiast who long dreamed of running his own operation, Tap’in 3PL entered the industry with a bold mission: to disrupt traditional beverage distribution by offering more control and flexibility to brands.

Unlike conventional wholesalers, Tap’in offered a model that let drinks brands choose where and to whom their products were sold… empowering them to bypass the rigid wholesale route and reach high-profile venues across London directly.

The business quickly found traction in the competitive beverage logistics space, especially by championing independent brands with unique stories and high-quality products. But as volumes grew, so too did the complexity behind the scenes.

Manual processes, paper-based orders, and lack of scalable systems meant the company’s operational engine was under increasing strain… especially during peak periods.

From mission to mismatch

While the Tap’in value proposition was innovative, its internal processes didn’t reflect the same agility. Their aspiration to be a best-in-class logistics partner was held back by operational bottlenecks.

The company faced an urgent need: to modernise its warehouse operations in line with its mission to deliver premium service, cost transparency, and speed to its clients.

In that moment, the transformation journey began.

Overcoming WMS Challenges Holding the Business Back

Manual systems, limited scale

Tap’in’s team worked hard to fulfil orders accurately and on time, but their tools were outdated. Every process from picking and packing to reporting and billing relied heavily on spreadsheets, manual entry, and disconnected workflows.

Staff picked stock using printed sheets. Real-time stock visibility was non-existent. Warehouse scalability was limited. During peak periods, the business simply couldn’t keep up.

Billing chaos and client confusion

One of the most pressing challenges was the billing process. Clients frequently called to question invoices, which were often confusing and filled with fragmented charges. Each billing cycle created tension, not just in accounts but in the customer experience.

“You’d get charged for A, B, C, D, E, F and G but clients didn’t understand what they were paying for. That created queries, frustrations, and delayed payments.”

– Chay, Operations Director

In total, the business was handling 10–15 billing queries per month, each requiring manual resolution.

Inaccurate inventory tracking

The warehouse yard held up to 72,000 kegs at peak but without a digital WMS, stock counting was done manually. Any miscount could cause errors in dispatch, underutilised space, or service issues.

Without visibility of what was in, what was out, and what was available in real time, scaling or planning ahead became guesswork.

“You never quite knew what was happening in the yard. Once things go in and out, the numbers go wrong quickly.”

David, Warehouse Manager

Tap’in needed a WMS that could turn their operational blind spots into measurable performance gains.

Guiding tap’in Toward WMS Transformation

Finding a true partner

Tap’in explored options and selected Clarus WMS, drawn by its intuitive interface, configurable reports, and flexible partner approach.

Where other providers offered rigid systems and slow customisations, Clarus presented a WMS platform built to adapt to Tap’in’s pace of innovation.

“With most WMS providers, you’re told ‘we can’t do that’. With Clarus, it’s ‘of course we can’—and they do it quickly.”

The Tap’in operations team quickly got to grips with the system. Staff adapted within hours, no longer wandering the warehouse trying to locate stock. Clarus WMS took them directly to each pick location.

“Everyone preferred it straight away. It was easy, intuitive, and gave them confidence.”

Simplifying the complex

One of the biggest breakthroughs came with a new pricing model “Price Per Distributed Litre” (PPDL). Working with Clarus, Tap’in created a billing structure that consolidated multiple fees into one transparent charge.

Now, instead of complex invoices, clients receive a simple per-litre charge that aligns directly with their dispatch volume.

“Before, we had 10–15 billing queries a month. Now, it’s 1 or 2. And we release invoices earlier on the 1st or 2nd of the month.”

– Chay, Operations Director

The transformation wasn’t just technical it changed how Tap’in’s team thought about logistics, billing, and performance reporting.

Implementing the Solution: From Planning to Execution

From paper to performance

The Clarus WMS implementation began with a collaborative planning phase. Together, Clarus and Tap’in mapped current workflows, identified bottlenecks, and designed improvements.

Training followed rapidly, with user onboarding completed in a matter of hours. Teams transitioned away from spreadsheets and clipboards to real-time, location-based stock control.

“You can’t hit 100+ picks a day without automation. Now, that’s just standard.”

– Chay, Operations Director

Warehouse staff gained access to personalised dashboards and location tracking. Inventory data became accessible, accurate, and always up to date.

Empowering the yard

The warehouse yard, once an overlooked area, was brought into focus. By integrating real-time yard tracking and count validation through Clarus, Tap’in developed a visual model for storage capacity.

Each keg was stickered and tracked. Staff could now monitor inbound and outbound volumes and determine yard utilisation in percentage terms enabling pre-emptive decisions on space allocation during seasonal peaks.

“Now I know exactly how much we can store, when we’ll hit capacity, and what’s needed to avoid overflow.”

– Chay, Operations Director

These insights eliminated the need to rent extra space next door saving both money and operational complexity.

Results Achieved: WMS Success in Action

Real-world business gains

The transformation wasn’t just visible it was measurable. Within months of implementation, Tap’in reported:

• 99% order accuracy, even at scale
• 90% reduction in billing queries (from 10–15/month to 1–2)
• 5-month ROI, thanks to reduced costs and process efficiency
• Faster fulfilment, with over 100 picks per day becoming standard
• Storage optimisation, eliminating unnecessary overflow warehouse costs

“Clarus completely transformed our workflows. We saw measurable ROI within five months. With Clarus WMS, we hit over 100 daily picks without hiring more staff.”

– Chay, Operations Director

Tap’in now has a clear view of performance, capacity, and cost helping them optimise both service delivery and profitability.

Cliëntreflecties en geleerde lessen

Culture, confidence and control

The WMS upgrade went beyond system implementation it created a shift in culture. Staff in previously under-recognised areas, like the yard, now have performance visibility and receive recognition for hitting targets.

With KPIs in place, Tap’in is introducing performance-based bonuses and better engagement across all warehouse teams.

Leadership now has the confidence to plan for growth, allocate resources effectively, and manage peak periods without relying on guesswork or temporary fixes.

“You can’t grow without flexible partners. Clarus didn’t just provide a system they worked with us, at our pace, to improve how we operate.”

– Chay, Operations Director

Jouw Pad naar WMS Succes

Tap’in 3PL’s journey from paper-based chaos to digital control shows what’s possible with the right WMS solution.

By partnering with Clarus, they turned operational pain points into strategic advantages boosting order accuracy, streamlining fulfilment, and eliminating invoice confusion.

If you’re facing similar challenges in beverage logistics or beyond, you don’t have to go it alone.

Discover how Clarus WMS can help your operation achieve similar results.