W. Amsler Equipment Cites Growing Trend to Small-Volume
Machines as U.S. Processors Seek Greater Flexibility
LAS VEGAS, Nev., Oct. 5, 2009 – Shorter production runs and continually changing bottle designs in the U.S. are creating new opportunities in the PET container market for manufacturers of small- to medium-volume reheat stretch-blow molding machines, according to W. Amsler Equipment Inc., a leading Canadian manufacturer of all-electric, reheat stretch-blow machines based in Richmond Hill, Ont. Bottle makers are moving to lower cavitation and smaller volumes as they attempt to regain flexibility and align themselves with changing market conditions. Amsler made the assessment this week during the International Bottled Water Association’s (IBWA) Convention and the Pack Expo show (Booth C3219), both in Las Vegas.
In the U.S., the faltering economy has resulted in manufacturers maintaining smaller and smaller inventories. This trend is clearly evident in the food and beverage industry where producers “would rather have a truckload a week of bottles rather than a million sitting in their warehouse,” explains John Kowal, Amsler project manager. The result is that even larger bottle processors are considering smaller blow molding machines. “We are getting inquiries from some of the larger producers who we’ve never talked to,” noted Kowal. “They need flexibility and the 24-cavity reheat machine is inflexible.” There will always be a need for ultra-high-volume production but presently the demand for larger machines has slackened, says Kowal.
Currently in demand are reheat machines with one to six cavities and output up to 10,000 containers/hr, according to Kowal. These machines provide the necessary capabilities for short-run production, namely; a smaller footprint and quick mold changeovers (less than one hr).
Another important trend is the emergence of new and innovative bottle designs that require shorter runs. These are critical to beverage makers who are increasingly creating niche products such as new juices, flavored waters, and energy drinks which require specialized, custom eye-catching containers. These novel bottle designs are generally more
technically complicated, harder to mold on larger machines, and require fewer cavities, quick mold changeovers, and shorter runs.
Many of the market trends toward smaller runs and innovative bottle design play to the strengths of Amsler. The company is enjoying strong growth and has capitalized on the expanding opportunities in small- and medium-volume production runs which represent its core business. The company is the only North American manufacturer of small- to medium-volume PET reheat machines. Its primary competition is among European equipment suppliers.
Amsler’s all-electric reheat stretch-blow units deliver high output per cavity, energy savings of 50%, greater precision, smaller footprint, faster speed, reduced maintenance, and quicker mold changeovers. The company recently introduced the L15 custom blow molder, a single-cavity unit that produces widemouth containers from 20-mm to 70-mm at up to 1700 bottles/hr. Also recently introduced is the L120 series, a new line of all-electric reheat machines for production of PET water containers up to 18.9-L (5 gal.).
