Supplier News

Constantia Flexibles Group has agreed to sell its non-core folding carton activities in Mexico, Aluprint Plegadizos, to Mexican company Grupo Gondi for an undisclosed amount. The transaction requires anti-trust approval from the Mexican authorities and is expected to be completed in the coming months.

Over the past 5 years, PakTech has become the multi-pack solution of choice for over 1500 US breweries and cider makers using cans. With the canned beverage market quickly growing in Australia, PakTech is now offering rapid order fulfillment of 6Pak and QuadPak can carriers there. Containers of product are now warehoused in Sydney, available for immediate distribution.

Neenah has released a new, all-encompassing swatchbook for The Design Collection of specialty papers. This new specification tool brings together the 15 specialty grades that make up this inspired portfolio of premium papers for luxury packaging and high-end print collateral — including the newly added Astroking Papers.

Hopsy, the recently launched online marketplace for local craft beer, today announced a partnership with Thin Film Electronics, a global leader in printed electronics and smart systems, to integrate their NFC technology into its growlers. The wireless NFC tags will enable microbreweries to engage with beer lovers and communicate directly with their customers.

MicroStar Logistics, the leading diversified keg solutions provider, today announces the addition of Glen L. Opp to its leadership team as Senior Vice President, Operations. Glen will be responsible for all aspects of MicroStar’s expanding operations including logistics, repair and maintenance, quality, supply assurance and innovation.

Crosby Hop Farm, a vertically integrated hop grower, merchant, and processor in the Pacific Northwest today confirmed it joins more than 1,700 companies globally and 68 organizations in Oregon committed to using business as a force for good. B Corps are certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, improving the quality of life in our communities through business.

Lightweight Containers has started up a new production line to make KeyKeg Slimlines and UniKegs. The new line is in Joliet, Illinois (US). The fully automated computer- and robot-driven line can produce the entire Slimline and UniKeg series depending on demand. Logoplaste supports and oversees the line’s daily production. With the new line, Lightweight Containers is preparing for the rapid growth it anticipates in the United States.

The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI), along with beverage leaders including Diageo and New Belgium Brewing, and the glass processing and recycling industry, have convened a dynamic group of organizations to make glass recycling work in the U.S. The nearly two dozen member organizations announced today they are joining forces to create the U.S. Glass Recycling Coalition. The coalition’s primary goal is to help build a foundation to make glass recycling a successful industry, and an efficient, high-quality and convenient service consumers want and expect.

Firmly rooted in tradition with an eye on the future, Saddle Creek Logistics Services celebrated its 50th year in business last week. On its golden anniversary, the company is announcing the appointment of Scott Thornton as chairman of the company. He succeeds Saddle Creek founder David Lyons who passed away last July.

On May 3rd, K&G Data Solutions released a cloud-based version of their quality software, Brew-Q. Focusing on feature-rich customization and streamlining data entry and reporting, Brew-Q offers a way for breweries to move beyond spreadsheets and simple data entry programs.

Today, Lightweight Containers has launched a new family of kegs with the brand name UniKeg. The UniKeg was developed for the American beverage market integrating a standard Sankey D fitting. For the time being, the one-way kegs will only be produced and sold in the United States.

OKI Data Americas – together with its strategic partner Neopost USA – announces availability of a new and state-of-the-art printing solution for craft brewers. This solution bundles the HD-CX1700 digital production printer powered by OKI Data’s award-winning color printing technology with pre-die-cut media for the two most common sizes of keg collars (5-inch and 6.5-inch) to deliver a robust solution for producing keg collars quickly, easily and cost-effectively at the brewery plant.

A new innovation designed to connect brands with end-users, called CrownSmart™ , is set to transform the beverage packaging industry. Created by the leading supplier of metal packaging products worldwide, Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown) (www.crowncork.com), and Zappar, the Augmented Reality (AR) specialists, CrownSmart™ allows brands to gain an edge with the end user and access unrivalled consumer data.

Manufacturers of custom brewing systems, JVNW announced that they are completing a state-of-the-art 100 BBL 4-vessel automated brewing system that will soon travel the length of the country to find its home at the Isle Brewers Guild (IBG) in Pawtucket, RI. The brewhouse is PLC controlled including a fully sequenced CIP system and is the largest undertaking for the company who manufactures 100% of their equipment in Oregon.