PETpla.net Insider 07+08 / 2019

BOTTLING / FILLING PET planet Insider Vol. 19 No. 07+08/19 www.petpla.net 18 PET is the material of choice for rtd alcoholic drinks The Black Fly of Canada We met Rob Kelly, Co-Founder of Black Fly Beverage Co. Black Fly Beverage Company, Ontario’s first micro-distillery was founded in 2005 by husband & wife Rob Kelly and Cathy Siskind-Kelly after being awarded the first Distillery License granted in Ontario in over 100 years. “It was a real start-up” Rob explained. “We have not been in the beverage business before; we came from very different working areas.” Tour Sponsors: “We originally planned a micro brewery 15 years ago. But because of the growing in this business we shifted our plans to produce a kind like a ‘cool craft alcohol, ready-to-drink’ which was very unique at this time,” Rob continued. “Even if there has been some other products on the market, in Europe they call them Alcopops, they mostly have been mass production, we would like to focus on specialties”. The vision was to create more natural and less sweet premium spirit beverages using quality ingredients and innovative packaging. Like the iconic Canadian insect after which the company is named, Black Fly started small with determination to fly under the radar and deliver a mighty bite. Since that time, Black Fly has suc- cessfully developed and launched a line-up of unique premium spirit beverages that speak to what today’s consumers are looking for; innovative “Not to sweet” quality ready to drink. Originally housed in an historic bank building in the heart of down- town London, Ontario, Black Fly Bev- erage Company moved its operation in May of 2008 to a state-of-the-art production facility located in the city’s leading industrial quarter. Black Fly strives to work with as many local suppliers and trade partners as possi- ble in an effort to support Ontario and Canadian businesses and reduce our environmental footprint by shopping local. Green initiatives “At Black Fly we understand that as we continue to grow so will our environmental footprint. Reducing that environmental footprint through good business practices and a host of green initiatives is a key value of Black Fly Beverage Company. That is why we started to produce our own bottles at a certain point in time. For a small craft alcohol producer it is unique to do so. The decision was made in favour of Sipa equipment in 2016. My production manager was previously at trade fairs and had the opportunity to get to know Sipa. We were invited to see Sipa machines during production. We will continue to grow, so we will buy more equipment from Sipa.” Rob explained. Bottles Black Fly bottles are made locally in Ontario. These bottles are made from PET, the most recyclable plastic currently used in this industry. “These drinks are characterised as conveni- ent drinks, glass was no option. The consumer takes the drink with him everywhere, so the packaging must be light and easy to handle. There were no bad experiences with drinking cocktail from a PET bottle, with wine or beer it wouldn’t work. Our bottles are only 40 grams when empty which is six times lighter than a traditional “We are very happy with the Sipa machine, it is an impressive, simple and elegant machine. It makes sure that we have a maximum output,” Rob Kelly stated. 4x400ml pure lime juices and genuine Mexican tequila in PET bottles