Peter Williamson takes his seat as the new chair of Make UK Affiliate Partner Board

0
Automate UK CEO, Peter Williamson has been appointed as the new chair of the Make UK affiliate partner board. He will also represent the affiliate partner programme on Make UK’s national membership board. Peter, who recently stepped down from his managing director role at RARUK Automation in order to focus on Automate UK, is passionate about the need for the UK manufacturing sector to adopt more Automation, to empower small businesses, as well as upskilling and increasing the country’s workforce. Peter said: “Being appointed to the Make UK affiliate partner board is a huge honour. Following on from the previous chair, Steve Brambley who was a fantastic chair will be a challenge but one that I welcome as we continue to be the voice of our industry.” By welcoming Peter onto the board, the reach of both organisations has been extended to the benefit of all their members. Not only will communication between these sector leaders become smoother; they will be able to share ideas and best practices, not to mention access a wide base of resources. Chris Corkan, Region Director – Midlands & East of England & Affiliate Partnerships at Make UK, said: “I am delighted that Peter Williamson, CEO, Automate UK (previously known as PPMA) has accepted the role of Affiliate Partner Board Chair. Peter and I look forward to continuing to work with you all moving forwards. “I would also like to take the opportunity to re-iterate thanks on behalf of Make UK to Steve Brambley, CEO, GAMBICA who has been an excellent Chair and supporter to our collective work on behalf of manufacturing in recent years. Particularly guiding the voice of the affiliate partner programme during covid-19. Steve remains a welcome and active participant in this group moving forwards.”

Brown‑Forman sells Alabama cooperage

0

Brown‑Forman Corporation has sold its cooperage in Trinity, Alabama, to Independent Stave Company (ISCO).

The cooperage will continue to make barrels for the Jack Daniel Distillery as part of a strategic relationship between the companies. ISCO will rename the cooperage from the Jack Daniel Cooperage to the Alabama Cooperage upon closing, expected by May 1, 2024.

“We believe that barrels are more than a container for our whiskey, they’re an important ingredient. This agreement helps ensure a steady supply of the same high quality barrels at a competitive price to Brown‑Forman and Jack Daniel’s,” said Tim Nall, Chief Global Supply Chain and Technology Officer.

“ISCO will continue to craft American White Oak barrels using the same meticulous process that we have for generations, keeping the quality and taste of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey consistent around the world.”

“We are grateful to Brown‑Forman for the opportunity to craft barrels of the highest quality for their iconic brand, Jack Daniel’s. Alabama Cooperage will be a great addition to our existing network of mills and cooperages,” said Independent Stave Company CEO Brad Boswell.

“We will utilize our 112 years of industry experience to manufacture barrels to the exacting standards they have been adhering to in Trinity, Alabama, since it opened in 2014. Our team looks forward to welcoming the employees in Trinity to the Independent Stave Company family.”

Previously, Brown‑Forman sold stave mills in Alabama, Ohio, and Tennessee, to ISCO. Like these prior transitions, current cooperage employees will be offered employment by Independent Stave Company.

Brown‑Forman will maintain ownership and operation of the long-standing Brown‑Forman Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky. The Cooperage produces approximately half of the barrels for the Brown‑Forman portfolio of brands and enables ongoing barrel research, development, and innovation for brands and new expressions.

First Milk acquires BV Dairy

0

First Milk has acquired BV Dairy (Blackmore Vale Farm Cream Limited), a manufacturer of specialist chilled dairy products based in Dorset.

It services customers throughout England, Wales and Scotland, offering a comprehensive end-to-end solution to customers across food manufacturing and food service, as well as offering co-manufacturing to exciting growth markets such as the home meal solutions and gut health sectors, offering considerable opportunities for the future.

Shelagh Hancock, Chief Executive of First Milk, said: “I am delighted to complete the acquisition of BV Dairy, a successful family-owned business, which shares many common values with First Milk – a focus on people and community, environmental performance, exceptional quality and long-term value creation. We look forward to welcoming the wider BV Dairy family into our First Milk family. “The BV Dairy business has strong customer relationships and a reputation for quality and service across food manufacture and food service. This provides a genuine extension to our business, extending our manufacturing and market reach, offering a platform for the further growth and development of our business.” Farmer director and vice-chairman, Mike Smith, added: “This purchase builds on the existing strengths of First Milk and will bring wider benefits, adding value for our members whilst creating opportunities for our colleagues and enabling us to extend our regenerative positioning into a broader range of dairy products and customers. This is a great step forward as we work together to secure the future.” Jim Highnam, Managing Director of BV Dairy, added: “Having made the decision to sell the business, we wanted to ensure that the new owners would provide a secure future for our customers, colleagues, farmers and suppliers. “As such, I’m pleased to finalise this transaction and see BV Dairy become part of First Milk, as both businesses share a down-to-earth, pragmatic approach, balancing the needs of all stakeholders. I look forward to working with our new First Milk colleagues to continue to grow and develop BV Dairy.”

Cargill and ENOUGH expand partnership

0
Cargill and food tech leader ENOUGH, which produces fermented protein sustainably, are expanding their current partnership to further innovate nutritious and sustainable alternative meat and dairy solutions. Cargill is investing in ENOUGH’s most recent (Series C) growth funding campaign and has signed a commercial agreement to use and market its fermented protein. ENOUGH uses a technology that enables large-scale sustainable protein production of its signature ABUNDA® mycoprotein. ABUNDA is grown by feeding fungi with sugars from sustainably sourced grain that is then fermented in a natural production process like making beer, wine or yogurt. This creates ABUNDA mycoprotein, a complete food ingredient that contains essential amino acids and is high in dietary fiber. ABUNDA is produced through a zero-waste fermentation process, with Cargill’s glucose syrup as a main source. “Cargill is strengthening its partnership with ENOUGH because the world needs more protein that is grown more sustainably to keep pace with global population growth. Mycoprotein is an emerging ingredient with a disruptive role to play due to its many benefits including a meat-like texture, protein profile, scalability and sustainability,” explains Belgin Kose, managing director, Cargill Meat and Dairy Alternatives. “We remain committed to bringing alternative and traditional protein source options to the table, and our collaboration with ENOUGH is one of the ways we can realize our purpose to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way.” Cargill and ENOUGH already have a multi-faceted partnership. ENOUGH’s first-of-its-kind 160,000 square foot (15,000 square metre) production facility, built in 2022, is co-located alongside a Cargill facility in Sas van Gent, The Netherlands. Cargill provides ENOUGH with glucose syrup and utilities as well as partnering with ENOUGH in the EU-funded PLENITUDE consortium project. With the expanded strategic partnership, Cargill will co-create with customers tasty and nutritious protein alternative foods containing ABUNDA mycoprotein by leveraging its broad portfolio of plant-based proteins, texturizers and fats, as well as its formulations and applications capabilities. ENOUGH will continue to benefit from Cargill’s global footprint and feedstock technology expertise to scale up faster in Europe and beyond. “Expanding our partnership with Cargill is an exciting step to accelerate the great strides we’ve already made through the co-location of our Sas van Gent facility,” adds Jim Laird, CEO, ENOUGH. “The alternative protein market is a multi-billion-dollar opportunity, and efficiency will come from collaboration with partners such as Cargill to leverage existing demand and supply chain to gain scale.”

Food supply chain thefts rise in 2023

0
Food continues to be the commodity most at risk of theft in the global supply chain and now accounts for a third of all hijacking incidents – up 29% on 2022. Amidst the ongoing impact of inflation globally, these data suggest thieves are increasingly targeting basic goods that have experienced significant price increases.  The analysis, from global provider of supply chain intelligence, BSI, finds that food and beverage items now represent 22% of all thefts (up from 17% in 2022 and 14% in 2021). Theft of agricultural food products has also risen to 10% and now accounts for one in ten hijacking incidents. The number of electronic thefts has remained steady, highlighting the continued targeting of high-value goods for theft.  Thefts of food in transit is often relatively easy in comparison to higher-value commodities, as these commodities tend not to be shipped with tracking devices and anti-theft technologies – notable incidents from 2023 include one involving the theft of more than 52 tons of olive oil in Greece and the theft of 200 hams in Spain before Christmas. With regard to higher-value commodities, the last year has seen a number of notable incidents, including a group in Egypt using false paperwork to purchase pharmaceutical shipments for fake pharmacies, fraudulently diverting $9.7 million (USD) worth of drugs.   Types of thefts have changed, with cargo theft remaining notably high, indicating the importance of leveraging smart technology solutions to mitigate this risk. There has been a drop in thefts from facilities (26% to 21%) but a rise in theft of containers or trailers (4% to 14%), and of employee belongings, truck parts or cash (7% to 10%). Thefts are highest in Europe (37%) and North America (23%). Nearly seven in ten (68%) thefts in 2023 affected trucks, although this varies by region, with violent hijackings more common in North and South America, and thieves more commonly targeting parked trucks in Europe, linked to a lack of secured parking as well as rest requirements for drivers.   Susan Taylor Martin, Chief Executive, BSI, said: “It’s been another remarkable 12 months in the global supply chain. In addition to recent events in the Red Sea, we have seen everything from geopolitical tensions to economic uncertainty, and from extreme weather events to technology-powered digital disruption. “The convergence of these powerful factors provides a volatile and complex backdrop for organizations seeking to accelerate progress to a fair society and sustainable world by reducing their environmental impact and improving social responsibility in their supply chain. “Ensuring smooth global trade can bring key benefits across society, helping to keep costs down for individuals and organizations. In 2024, collaboration can empower organizations seeking to open up the opportunity presented by today’s supply chain challenges and respond to everything from rising theft to climate related disruption.”  Jim Yarbrough, Global Director, Supply Chain Solutions, BSI, said: “Food and beverage continue to be the top commodities stolen in transit throughout the supply chain. Such products are always in high demand, and inflationary factors have resulted in sharp price increases over the past few years. “To better navigate the challenges of the modern global supply chain landscape, supply chain leaders can make the most of supply chain intelligence solutions to help them implement proactive and robust supply chain risk management strategies. “Equally, the shared experience of the global pandemic and subsequent geopolitical and economic challenges has taught us that no single organization can handle supply chain management on their own – collaboration is absolutely critical.”

What to look out for at Packaging Innovations & Empack 2024

0
With a bumper attendance expected for Packaging Innovations & Empack 2024, here’s what visitors should look out for as they navigate over 400 exhibitors. With a record-breaking edition of Packaging Innovations & Empack now just days away, more than 400 exhibitors are making their final preparations for the UK’s flagship packaging exhibition. The two-day essential packaging showpiece is set to get underway on February 21, with organisers Easyfairs expecting a bumper crowd of over 7,000 visitors, and dozens of representatives from top brands filing past some of the world’s biggest suppliers, who will be waiting to showcase the latest innovations on offer. Exhibitors are preparing to network with brands such as Aldi, Asda, Britvic, Boots, Cadburys, Costa Coffee, Diageo, DHL, Heinz, Holland & Barrett, Hovis, Iceland, KFC, M&S, Molson Coors, Nestle, Oh Polly, Sainsbury’s, Sky, Superdrug, TATA, Tesco, Unilever, and Waitrose. And with so much to see and do, we’re here to help you pick your way through the capacity of over 400 exhibitors who will pack every square foot of Birmingham’s NEC. TIPA Compostable Packaging (K86) – a global packaging developer, will showcase its pioneering portfolio of solutions at Packaging Innovations. TIPA’s compostable packaging offers the ultimate alternative to conventional flexible plastic packaging, boasting the same durability, shelf-life, barrier protection and transparency without the detrimental impact on the environment. TIPA has worked tirelessly over the past decade to chip away at the global plastic pollution crisis, developing materials and products that fully decompose into nutrient-rich soil when composted after use and leave behind zero waste. Its solutions, which are fully certified to biodegrade in home and industrial composting environments, have already been adopted by notable brands worldwide and are fully certified to biodegrade in home and industrial composting environments. TIPA is actively involved in the Compostable Coalition UK, working towards integrating compostable packaging into the UK’s bio-waste recycling infrastructure. TIPA CEO & Co-Founder Daphna Nissenbaum said: “At Packaging Innovations, we look forward to connecting with brands who want to meet the growing consumer demand for eco-conscious packaging and develop a plastic-free world.” Packaging Company of the Year, Kite Packaging (A60), will be available to discuss a wide range of products and services covering various industries and sectors. There will be a specific focus on cartoning and case erecting, pallet handling and wrapping, and printing and labelling, with an array of void fill and palletisation solutions displayed. This includes shredded papers, a range of SpeedMan dispensers, and Robopac Masterplat for attendees wanting to test and trial packaging solutions. ProAmpac (N92), a global leader in flexible packaging and material science, is set to showcase its full ProActive Sustainability product portfolio and comprehensive RAP Packaging line of fibre-based food-to-go solutions. “With the introduction of these innovative solutions, we’re pushing the boundaries of flexible packaging and leading the industry toward a more sustainable future,” stated Ali McNulty, Market Manager for ProAmpac. ProAmpac’s all-fibre food-to-go solution RecycAll range has expanded to include food trays and grab bags tailored for high-end sandwiches and bakery delicacies. Their ProActive Recyclable® FibreSculpt, a high-barrier fibre-based solution for shallow-draw thermoforming tray applications, aligns with the OPRL guidelines and boasts over 90% fibre content, rendering it kerbside recyclable in the UK and Ireland. ProAmpac’s Recycle Ready Retort RT-4000 is an ultra-high barrier polypropylene-based platform available as reel stock or premade pouches in stand-up and 3-side seals, while its ProActive Intelligence Moisture Protect MP-1000 features state-of-the-art moisture-adsorbing technology that eliminates the need for desiccant packets. Among other solutions from its comprehensive product offering on show at booth N92 are the MP-1000 platforms that use Aptar’s CSP Technologies’ 3-Phase Activ-Polymer™ platform technology. This lowers the moisture level in the packaging headspace, making it ideal for applications that require optimal moisture control, such as point-of-care diagnostic kits, live culture probiotics, and hygroscopic powdery food products. UKRI’s Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge will showcase all 88 funded projects, from reuse and refill trials with major UK retailers and brands to advanced recycling technologies and novel polymers to reduce single-use plastics. The £60m Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge is the largest, most ambitious UK government investment in sustainable plastics research and innovation, driving cleaner growth across the UK’s plastics, packaging and retail supply chains. Prevented Ocean Plastic™ (T22), the largest high-quality, chain-of-custody certified recycled ocean-bound plastic programme of its kind, will showcase its programme along with the recycled plastic material it sells. Brands investing in their recycled material will help to keep the circular economy going and support the infrastructure in at-risk coastal communities that don’t have a formal waste sector. The Sherwood Group (R114), an award-winning food packaging manufacturer based in Nottingham, will present Puracoat®, an eco-friendly packaging suitable for direct food contact. Developed in response to the growing problem of single-use plastic, Puracoat® is a broad range of paperboard and coating combinations that can be tailored to individual customer requirements. Fully recyclable and biodegradable in line with BS EN 13432 – no separation of paperboard and barrier material is necessary. Elopak (K116), a leading supplier of carton packaging and liquid filling equipment, will be showcasing D-PAK™ cartons, a new solution for the home and personal care categories that can not only attract the more environmentally conscious shoppers through plastic reduction but also deliver on convenience and recyclability. The Elopak team will also have their portfolio of food and beverage cartons on the stand, including the Pure-Pak® eSense carton, an aseptic carton for low and high-acid food and beverages, which is aluminium-free, resulting in up to 50% lower carbon footprint compared to a standard aseptic carton. Skymark/InterFlex Group (Q50), a TOPPAN Inc subsidiary that specialises in innovative, flexible packaging solutions, will showcase their SKYMAX range, offering diverse PE materials ideal for the personal care, technical, and food sectors, as well as highlighting SKYMAX R, their environmentally conscious line featuring up to 50% Post Consumer Recyclate. Another key highlight will be their SKYLENE CPP materials, known for exceptional temperature resistance and functionality. Enercon Industries (E60), a global leader in induction cap sealing systems whose machines seal over 35 billion containers in Europe annually, will present the Super Seal™ Junior manual induction cap sealer that offers the benefits of high-quality induction sealing to start-up operations, product validation and short production runs. The Enercon hand-held cap sealer delivers reliable, repeatable induction sealing and features quality aids such as batch counters and no-foil indicators, often only found on inline production machines. On Ranpak’s stand (P72), you’ll find the award-winning Geami Wrap’ n Go™, the new void fill solution Fillpak Trident Mini™, their paper-based insulating RecyCold™ climaliner together with the highly sustainable RecyCold™ cool packs and other innovative packaging solutions. Ranpak experts will be on hand to assist you and demonstrate their solutions. Elsewhere, a leading global manufacturer of innovative food packaging products and solutions, Sabert (D82) will display its soon-to-be-launched Hot2Go and Tray2Go ranges, alongside its established Snap2Go, and Deli2Go ranges, Vestro Ltd (T90) will highlight sustainable materials and smart designs in unveiling its solutions from industrial heavyweights to the food and catering scene, and Wipak UK will show its GreenChoice sustainable product portfolio, which incorporates solutions incorporating renewable, recyclable, and recycled materials. If you’ve never experienced the show before, there’s no better time to jump in than 2024. Complimentary visitor passes will remain available throughout the event; you can register by clicking here.

Flexibility in food manufacturing: the key to meeting changing market demands

0
From the food to personal care and the electronics industries, mid-sized businesses rely on factory automation to secure growth. This requires reasonably priced and robust technologies that optimally support their production targets. To further its modular packaging solution portfolio, processing and packing technology partner, Syntegon, brought automation technology provider Beckhoff UK on board to co-develop a machine that could be integrated anywhere into a production line, without compromising on footprint due to bulky control cabinets. The new BEC endload cartoner provides valuable support in those regards: as an entry-level machine, its recent upgrade includes the Beckhoff AMP servo motors instead of mechanical drive technology – a key requirement for stable processes. “Switching to servo technology allows us to ideally synchronize different drive components, securing repeatable product placement. Flexibility and reliability are key to the success of our equipment.” Changing customer and economic requirements mean that in food manufacturing, consistency wrestles with flexibility at every turn. From adapting recipes based on changing ingredients to navigating supply chain demands and limitations, flexibility in food manufacturing is the name of the game. Yet it is not without risk; big hitters in the industry will reject products that don’t hit the correct, consistent quality every time. Packaging is a critical part of this procedure, especially when the packaging machine is required to load the food product into the packaging before sealing. This is a critical moment in the process; tolerances for variation are extremely low, so machines must be optimised for light handling of products and flexible enough to carry out multiple functions so as not to lose valuable time in the manufacturing process. Historically, while the main components of a cartoning solution are made to be modular, traditional machines rely on a lot of wires connected to a control cabinet, something that greatly increases the footprint of the machine while also decreasing the flexibility it can offer within the factory. Beckhoff’s expertise and dedication to its Automation Without Cabinets concept, where the control cabinet is not needed, was something Syntegon wanted its customers to benefit from. Long-standing partnership Beckhoff and Syntegon’s partnership goes further back than developing this new modular machine together. The two companies are global technology partners and Beckhoff partners nationally with Kliklok — part of the Syntegon Group — in the UK. The Kliklok ACE Topload Carton Former, Syntegon’s most advanced carton erector, also performed beta tests for some of Beckhoff’s most recent technologies, including the AMP8000 servo drive system. However, as with all tests and new offerings, there were obstacles along the way. “Because Syntegon were beta testing the components, there were many changes required to accommodate continuous improvement,” said Pete Hyde, electrical and software engineering manager at Syntegon. “It was obviously being developed and designed to our needs as we were testing it. We agreed that we would be a beta tester, so we knew there would be challenges along the way. When we hit problems, we would liaise with the Beckhoff team in Germany as well as the UK. We would have regular meetings between both Beckhoff sites, and the team would make changes that we wanted to be implemented; any updates would also be done, and they would be done quickly.” With these initial obstacles overcome, the tests’ results and feedback from ACE end-users determined the machine a win. Following this, Syntegon began building a new machine, the Basic End-Load Cartoner (BEC), from the ground up and co-developing with Beckhoff the design from an electronic angle. The new BEC machine is a cartoner, loading products into a carton from several in-feeds — automatic loading systems that load straight into the pockets of the BEC, which then loads the product into the carton and seals with glue. The difference between the BEC and other alternatives is that it is panelless, allowing the wiring to be much simpler than traditional packaging machines on the market, as well as offering a complete plug-and-play solution for a food manufacturer’s production processes. AMP Technology The BEC carton loader makes full use of Beckhoff’s AMP8000 servo drive system, which was tested on the ACE Topload Carton Former and used in the build of this machine. The system is designed to relocate the servo drive from the traditional control cabinet to the machine. The AMP8000 distributed servo drive consists of a combination of the proven AM8000 servomotors with a highly efficient servo drive, and innovative power electronics with cold switch technology that limits power loss to unprecedentedly low levels. At the same time, the mounting space required for the electronics is reduced to an absolute minimum. The motor retains its original frame size; negating the need for a larger drive train and achieving almost the same performance data as a comparable motor/servo drive combination without attached power electronics. EtherCAT The BEC carton loader also reaps all the benefits of Beckhoff’s industrial Ethernet technology, EtherCAT. The EtherCAT real-time Ethernet system was developed by Beckhoff in response to the drawbacks of conventional Ethernet-based industrial networks. Before EtherCAT, most industrial-focussed network protocols had a long update or cycle times of more than 10 m/s — EtherCAT with its cycle times down to <100uS using XFC (eXtreme Fast Control Technology) and distributed clocks realises real-time synchronous data, aligning with Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) strategies of modern machine architectures. Beckhoff’s EtherCAT also has a flexible topology and simple line or tree structure that requires no expensive infrastructure components. This replaces the costly Ethernet star topology — where all nodes are connected to a central connection point. The result is outstanding, cost-effective performance; paired with highly dynamic servo drives enabling an integrated, fast control technology, and a simple configuration, with up to 65,535 connected devices without placing restrictions on their topology. TwinCAT Beckhoff’s TwinCAT 3 automation software has also been used in the BEC carton loader. With this software, it’s possible to turn a compatible PC into a powerful real-time controller. EtherCAT in combination with TwinCAT offers the foundational technologies and tools needed to implement Industry 4.0 concepts and IIoT connectivity — all via one PC-based control platform. The Beckhoff TwinCAT real-time kernel can seamlessly pass data to the OS, Windows or BSD applications, leveraging the full power of the IPC from visualisation programs, Office programs, Microsoft/BSD (Linux) interfaces and command line executions, while also executing the IEC 61131-3 software for PLC, motion control and robotics in real-time. Furthermore, TwinCAT saves the process data locally, on the server or in the cloud, in synchronisation with the machine cycle. TwinCAT’s IoT communication supports common protocols for cloud communication and pushes messages to smart devices for real-time monitoring and maintenance. The software is quick and easy to configure and, together with a supplied Industrial PC (IPC) as the IoT controller, establishes a seamless connection between all components of the BEC loader. “The Beckhoff UK team regularly visited and helped us to develop the software and setup,” said Pete. “We also had regular team calls with Beckhoff Germany. Jon Hampshire (product specialist for motion at Beckhoff Automation) would visit during the commissioning time and support us to achieve our goals. If we hit an issue Jon would setup a quick Teams call with Germany, so we had a good number of Beckhoff specialists involved in the process.” “For Syntegon, the development of this new machine also allowed us to align the components with other machines in our portfolio, simplifying our stock offering and supply chain processes,” said Pete. “For the end-user, the BEC provides easier maintenance by using fewer electronic components and connections, making the machine simpler and easier to integrate. The BEC is based on the OMAC PackML standard, so that it can easily be integrated into customers’ lines and can communicate across their network to pass PackML details, efficiency reports and Smart machine data.” “A number of sensors have been added to detect vibration and temperature of mechanical parts which are displayed on the HMI. For ease of maintenance a full 3d model is displayed on the HMI showing all components within the machine. These will then show trends to the end-user, providing a real-time picture of how the BEC is running,” continued Pete. “For example, for a bearing within the machine, we can show trends on what its temperature is and how much vibration it is generating. From that, we can detect if the bearing is at risk of failing, or whether the chain tension is too loose or too tight.” “Modularisation is something that we’ve been exploring with Syntegon on other machines in its portfolio, but co-developing the BEC carton loader has taken both companies’ offerings to the next level,” said Brad McEwan, business development manager at Beckhoff UK. “The way that we co-developed the electrical drawings and the software already offered modularity. Now, because of the new way the machine is wired, it is fully modular and can adapt to any production line.” “It also allows manufacturers to see which hardware works better where, by temporarily repositioning modules rather than exhausting the capacity of the entire production line,” continued Brad. “Modules can be used to create a smaller version of the production line, allowing manufacturers to build a mental picture of what production could look like going en masse. For instance, should a food manufacturer want to begin production of a brand-new product, it is beneficial to run a test batch of this first. This also helps demonstrate how to scale up for larger production, whilst accurately determining a time to market estimation.” Syntegon and Beckhoff are planning to extend the new machine into a range, with the BEC currently being tested and earmarked for the basic end, and future integration of more features planned to create mid-end and high-end models. This will provide a real option for true modularity within the food manufacturing industry, no matter the size. Explore Beckhoff’s full range of solutions for the food and packaging industries at www.beckhoff.com, or contact one of the team on info@beckhoff.co.uk.

China’s Tsingtao Beer awards UK license

0

LEC Beverages Group and In Good Company will collaborate in a joint venture to manage the UK licensing, sales and distribution of Tsingtao Beer, the flagship brew from China’s premium brewer, Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd.

Previously managed by C&C Group, Tsingtao has newly awarded its UK business to LEC Beverages Group, which in turn has entered into a joint venture with In Good Company to help distribute and sell the brand.

LEC Beverages Group is a boutique firm specialising in the management, progression, and distribution of top-tier drinks brands. With a strategic, long-term vision for distributing drinks in the UK, the team comprises highly decorated professionals with bespoke UK contacts and a strong network for both on-trade and off-trade distribution.

In August 2022, In Good Company acquired Fourpure and Magic Rock, bringing the brands back into British ownership. Since then, the business has made a number of strategic changes which have buoyed profitability and helped it grow at pace. It’s current portfolio of brands now includes the exclusive license for non-alcoholic craft beer brand Big Drop, and non-exclusive sales of craft brand People’s Captain, which is known for its foundation raising proceeds for UK mental health initiatives.

Tsingtao Beer, which is a well-hopped standard pale lager (4.7% ABV), will continue to be produced at Tsingtao Brewery Co’s facility in Qingdao, China, before being shipped to the UK to provide a truly authentic Chinese beer. In terms of Tsingtao Beer’s current distribution, it is available in M&S, as well as having a strong foothold across wholesale and hospitality, proving particularly popular at Chinese restaurants.

Founded in 1903, Tsingtao Brewery Company Limited is headquartered in Qingdao, the People’s Republic of China. It is publicly listed both on the Hong Kong and Shanghai Stock exchanges, and is the manufacturer, marketer and distributor of flagship beer brand Tsingtao as well as dozens of other regional brands. It is the best-known Chinese beer internationally with sales and distribution covering 100+ countries worldwide and is the No.1 imported Chinese beer brand in the UK.

Jack Perry, Chairman of LEC Beverages, said: “We’re thrilled to be taking on responsibility for Tsingtao’s licensing, sales and distribution in the UK. We have a long-standing history of developing and nurturing premium imported brands in the UK market and we know how important capturing a brand’s authentic heritage is as part of delivering a smart route to market strategy. We’re excited to bring our expertise in this area to Tsingtao and look forward to collaborating with In Good Company for the first time.”

In Good Company’s CEO, Steve Cox, said: “We’re really excited about this partnership with LEC Beverages and Tsingtao, and what it means for the further growth of the business. While our heritage and DNA has been and will always be in craft beer, thanks to the phenomenal breadth of expertise in our team, we have capabilities well beyond this and are keen to capitalise on this as the business evolves. We’re also really delighted to be working in partnership with LEC Beverages, who have a huge amount of industry expertise.”

500 times maximum efficiency

0
Ever since the first ErgoBloc L from Krones was unveiled at drinktec 2009, it has been an integral part of bottling plants. With its market launch, Krones realised a vision at the time: the complete filling and packaging line combined in one block. What followed was a success story – as the order for the 500th ErgoBloc shows. The anniversary block goes to the Philippine bottler Philippine Spring Water Resources Inc (PSWRI). “We are delighted that this milestone in Krones’ block technology is being utilised at our facility,” says Danilo Lua, President of PSWRI. “The block significantly expands our production capacity and allows us to meet the growing demand for our products while maintaining our commitment to quality and sustainability.” This is because the ErgoBloc’s compact footprint, modular design and seamless integration of key processes, including stretch blow moulding, labelling and filling, into a single compact unit has multiple benefits in operation: it contributes to a significant reduction in space requirements, energy consumption and operating costs. In addition, the system’s intuitive user interface and advanced automation features minimise downtime, optimise overall production efficiency and ensure product quality – perfectly aligning with PSWRI’s dedication to delivering the highest-quality bottled water to Filipino consumers. Krones and PSWRI – a successful partnership “This 500th ErgoBloc installation is proof of enduring trust and collaboration between Krones and PSWRI,” says Regis Herve, Head of Sales SA AP TH Sales New Machines at Krones. “We are proud to be a part of their journey and look forward to supporting their continued growth in the Philippines and Asia market.” PSWRI and Krones have enjoyed a successful partnership for over a decade, built on a shared passion for excellence and a commitment to sustainable growth. Krones’ dedication to not only providing cutting-edge technology but also offering comprehensive service and support throughout the machine’s lifecycle has been instrumental in PSWRI’s continued success. “Our motivation at Krones is to develop solutions for our customers that fulfil the highest possible requirements in terms of efficiency, sustainability and product safety. We have also committed ourselves to this endeavour in our target picture,” mentioned Kai Frick, Head of Sales Inside AP Southeast Asia at Krones.

Kite Packaging to attend Packaging Innovations & Empack 2024

0
Packaging Company of the Year, Kite Packaging, is set to exhibit at Packaging Innovations & Empack 2024, taking place on 21st and 22nd February 2024 at the NEC, Birmingham. Kite’s packaging experts will be situated at stand A60 where they will be available to discuss a wide range of products and services, covering various industries and sectors. There will be a specific focus on cartoning and case erecting, pallet handling and wrapping, and printing and labelling, with an array of void fill and palletisation solutions displayed. This includes shredded papers, a range of SpeedMan dispensers, and Robopac Masterplat for attendees wanting to test and trial packaging solutions. All those interested in attending can register for a ticket at https://www.packagingbirmingham.com/the-events/packaging-innovations/. To discover more about Kite Packaging and the products and services they offer, please visit www.kitepackaging.co.uk.