PETpla.net Insider 01+02 / 2011

BOTTLE MAKING 16 PET planet insider Vol. 12 No. 01+02/11 www.petpla.net Partnership for progress PET applications in the health and beauty care (HBC) business are growing and PETplanet is following these developments closely. Sidel, which is well-known for its expertise in the beverage market, also has customers in HBC, including Colgate. Sidel recently worked with Colgate on a benchmarking exercise that applied experience and methodology gained in the beverage industry to PET applications in HBC. An open partnership Colgate’s global operations include a wide-variety of Sidel equipment. After undertaking an initial survey, data and results were analysed and exist- ing benchmarks established. The two companies held a wide-ranging meet- ing to review business opportunities and needs as well as basic issues that needed to change. Colgate wanted the ability to reach into the organisation, to provide feedback and drive change, with the ultimate goal of creating a strategic partnership and establishing open communication between the two enterprises. Colgate repeated the benchmark survey exercise twice, with results on each occasion showing improvement. The two companies continue to meet twice-yearly, to discuss issues of mutual benefit. Colgate provides feedback that helps Sidel improve its processes, and Sidel provides expert advice and inno- vations that benefit Colgate’s practices. Sidel also takes part in important inter- nal Colgate processes and committees, in order to provide its industry expertise to this important commercial partner. During 2010, Colgate ordered seven Sidel blowmoulders world- wide, in order to increase its global production capacity. More than 50% of Colgate’s product portfo- lio in its Homecare Division, which is focused on the HBC market, is currently bottled in PET. Sidel’s relationship with the company began in the late 1980s with bottling processes but has now expanded, into supply of bottling equipment, packaging consulting and preventa- tive services. “By using the beverage industry as a benchmark, Sidel has been able to provide their expertise from work- ing within that industry,” said Elizabeth Mellone, Director of Home Care Global Design and Packaging. “We then see what we can apply successfully to the home care industry.” Sidel and Col- gate operate together to turn the bottle concept into a final product that works technically and aesthetically. “Sidel has been able to bring a more holistic supply chain view to the services pro- vided.” More than 50 % of Colgates’s product protfolio in its Homecare Division... ... is currently bottled in PET. H E A L T H & B E A U T Y C A R E P A C K A G I N G