PETpla.net Insider 11 / 2011

BOTTLING / FILLING 20 PET planet insider Vol. 12 No. 11/11 www.petpla.net Sidel’s one-stop line conversion service enhances bottlers’ market responsiveness The conversion factor The stakes are always high in the beverage industry, whether it’s about lightweighting bot- tles or launching a new product in time for the high season. New products have to reach the market at the right time and under the best conditions, in terms of both production and dis- tribution. Consequently, bottlers are challenged to adapt their lines as quickly and efficiently as possible. Sidel supports its customers in their efforts with centralised project manage- ment, both as an original equipment manufacturer and as a package designer. This inte- grated approach offers bottlers immediate equipment efficiency, short times to market and low costs for optimal Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Customers usually have one of three reasons for converting their bever- age packaging lines – lightweighting, format or design change, or change of the product. Project management is a key factor in successfully achieving necessary line adaptations and Sidel’s senior project managers help bottlers to ensure optimised and secured conver- sion of their line. The managers’ pro- found engineering knowledge enables them to take all industrial considerations into account in preparing the production line in advance, and in determining the exact parts that need to be adapted. This centralised project management helps bottlers to ensure that their prod- ucts are released on time. Shorter necks – significant savings As raw materials account for 70-80% of a bottle’s price, light- weighted preforms and caps, along with shorter necks, can lead to sub- stantial savings in weight and costs. These features deliver quick return on investment and a smaller carbon footprint, factors that are increasingly important for customers’ purchase decisions. This is why more and more bottlers worldwide are adapting their lines accordingly. In 2010 French food and mineral water company Danone’s Polish water brand, Zywiec Zdroj was helped by Sidel to switch its lines to short necks. After a close analysis of various contractors, Zywiec Zdroj decided that Sidel could best suit their needs for quality, reactivity and close support during implementation. The order involved two lines at its Northern Plant, in Miroslawiec. Sidel undertook to work very closely with the company during the whole process. Each line was stopped for only four days for conversion to short-neck production. Quick new product launch Sidel does not just provide central project management for line conver- sion; it also assists customers in designing bottles for new products.