PETpla.net Insider 07+08 / 2011

BOTTLE MAKING 16 PET planet insider Vol. 12 No. 07+08/11 www.petpla.net Sokpol invests in growth with Sidel’s Predis FMa line A ‘sensitive’ affair Aseptic bottling technology is quickly becoming established in Poland, from where Sokpol supplies fruit juices to East- ern Europe, Portugal, France, Italy, and the US. It also has plants in Germany, the main consumer of fruit juices in Europe, and in Scandinavia. Prior to 2009, the company filled only cartons, glass bottles and jars. It has now been delivered its second Combi Predis line from Sidel. Sokpol’s plant in Myszków, near Katowice in Southern Poland, is located in a refurbished old factory. It was opened in 1992 by company president Roman Sobczyk and his wife, vice president Silvia Sobczyk. Over the past 19 years it has grown from a single TetraPak line to become one of the most innovative co-packers in Poland. The area’s well-developed road infrastructure enables it to supply its large supermarket group custom- ers in its European markets. Sokpol has grown quickly since it decided to move into the 0.5l, 1.5l and 1.75l formats. It decided to buy its first Combi Predis FMa in 2008, which enabled Sokpol to aseptically blow, fill and cap its fruit juices in PET bottles in the same machine. However, the owners had no in-depth knowledge of PET or advanced sterilisation technologies. Its capabilities and capacities were not only limited technologically. Support and training boost performance “The company very much needed the full service support of an indus- trial partner who could help it realise its ambitions to become an innova- tive, growing company, able to meet modern market demands and chang- ing consumer attitudes,” said Mr. Sobczyk. It turned to Sidel for exper- tise in co-ordination and support and implemented a training programme, which ran for seven months. It quickly noticed that its performance on new PET bottling lines improved. It saw a decrease in annual PET consumption, resulting in savings in raw material costs, as well as being more environ- mentally-friendly. Low operational costs, solid distri- bution networks and the emergence of new FMCG companies have made the consumer packaged goods industry extremely competitive and Mr. Sobc- zyk made the company’s objectives clear when he stated that Sokpol intended to consolidate its competitive position and create a strong brand. Its strategy is based on providing clients with high quality, good prices, and excellent service and support. Achieving its ambition of becoming a recognised player in the fruit juices, nectars, and soft drinks business is a challenge in itself, given the expecta- tions of the domestic market and the requirements of the European Union. Progress is usually progressive but Sokpol took a significant step forward with the installation of the Combi Predis FMa system in 2009. In November 2010, the company decided to purchase a complete second, identical aseptic line, and to double its bottling capacity. In order to meet EU regulations and require- ments, Sokpol has implemented Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), a method that aligns well with the guidelines supplied with Combi Predis FMa. The new line was delivered in April 2011. Sokpol, Poland, is a supplier of fruit juices for the markets of Eastern Europe, Portugal, France, Italy and has plants in Germany and Scandinavia sensitive BEVERAGES