CASE STUDY: Bundaberg Brewed Drinks New Canning Line Delivered by Fibre King Australia.
The Challenge: Bundaberg Brewed Drinks wanted to introduce a canned option for their popular Ginger Beer product line that is traditionally sold in glass bottles. The new line had to be cost effective, not only to purchase but more importantly in ongoing operating costs. This meant the new line had to run autonomously with very little intervention from operators while consistently producing the same high-quality product that their customers expect. The space available for the line was limited and the proposed layout had equipment in different rooms and on different levels.
The Solution: Fibre King designed, built, installed and commissioned a turnkey 200ml slimline canning line at Bundaberg Brewed Drinks. The system accepts empty cans on pallets and deliver filled, coded cluster packed and case packed cans on to pallets ready for dispatch to the market with minimal operators. The solution exceeded production expectations and included the following:
Services Rendered:
System design included a 3-Dimensional scan of existing facility to generate an accurate 3D model which Fibre King used to design the system around existing building features.
Full line simulation
Project management and line integration of all equipment that included European OEM suppliers.
Used broad experience in mechanical, electrical and software engineering to navigate challenges involved in the line integration process.
Custom design to include clients branding
Fibre King Equipment Used:
Automatic Empty Can De-Palletiser
Can Singuliser
Empty Can Conveyors
De-Ionised Air Rinser
Side Gripper Elevating Conveyor
Full Can Conveyors
Wraparound Casepacker
Automatic Palletiser
Operator PlatformsPerimeter Fencing and Guarding to AS4024.
Bundaberg Brewed Drinks is a passionate, family owned, Australian business that has created craft brewed premium soft drinks since the 1960s and is exported to over 60 countries. The company has introduced their first canning line to their Bundaberg based brewery supplied by Fibre King. Fibre King, also a family owned Australian business have been working with canning lines for over 40 years and were thrilled to be involved in BBDs newest venture into canned drinks. “Our extensive experience with canning lines made us the perfect fit for BBD and allowed us the opportunity to provide them with a with an efficient, high quality canning solution.” Says James Windsor, CEO of Fibre King.
“It is important for Australian manufacturers to know that they don’t have to look to Europe for high quality, cost effective equipment when Fibre King can provide this locally. We have been providing end of line packaging solutions for companies of all sizes across a magnitude of industries for nearly 100 years, our equipment standards are world renowned, we even have equipment in select facilities in Europe where they couldn’t find a suitable local solution. Our offshore manufacturing option gives us flexibility to deliver projects locally in Australia and around the globe with local design and technical support. We are continually innovating as we work with Australia’s largest brands that need to compete on a global scale”. Adds James.
Darren Smith, the Project Manager for Bundaberg Brewed Drinks has generously provided feedback of the project.
What did you like the most about the solution delivered by Fibre King?
“There are many canning systems available in the marketplace. However, sourcing a small scale, moderate sized introductory canning line can be a challenge. These small scale, moderate sized systems available on the global market are aimed at the rapidly growing craft beer industry. Bundaberg Brewed Drinks wanted a solution that could produce greater volumes than the craft beer industry but, was still moderate in size. Fibre King were able to present a full turnkey system at a competitive cost yet still maintain high build quality and exceptional design based on proven technology to meet the scale required without excessive, over engineered methods.”
“Bundaberg Brewed Drinks has traditionally sourced all equipment from Europe. This decision has mainly been based on the need for high quality equipment, proven equipment design, safely designed machinery and locally supported warranties & aftermarket support without the high cost of some local OEM’s. Fibre King have been able to leverage their balance of offshore manufacturing in Thailand with local engineering design, installation & commissioning skills to match those suppliers from more traditional sources in Europe. Fibre King have supplied a high-performance system for all aspects of the canning line, for a cost-effective price.”
How have you achieved your goal since implementing a Fibre King solution?
“The predicted targets for line output and efficiency have been met and surpassed with the line installation. Bundaberg Brewed Drinks values quality packaging to match our superior products. The new line installation has not diminished this quality and all products produced on the new can line meets our customer’s expectations.”
“A key goal for this can line was reduced labour costs from an Operational perspective. Introductory lines need enough time to build customer sales to fulfill the full output potential. This can place excessive pressure on OPEX costs. Fibre King understood this dilemma from the start and have installed a solution that allows Bundaberg Brewed Drinks to operate the full line with the minimal number of operators.”
What did you like most about working with Fibre King?
“The end to end approach to project management. Fibre King can offer the full project life cycle from initial sales enquiry to aftermarket support and spares supply.
This project was no different to many others when scoping and definition work was undertaken. Canning and packaging lines are complex solutions with sometimes many transition points between multiple suppliers. Having the ability to use a reduced number of suppliers with Fibre King’s holistic strengths and skills in this field reduced the overall project risk. All project team members had a professional manner and breadth of experience that eased the scoping, definition, planning & implementation phases. Bundaberg Brewed Drinks only required three key equipment suppliers to be engaged for this whole solution.”
“The predicted targets for line output and efficiency have been met and surpassed with the line installation. Bundaberg Brewed Drinks values quality packaging to match our superior products. The new line installation has not diminished this quality and all products produced on the new can line meets our customer’s expectations.”
Anything else you would like to say about this project?
“It should not be understated regarding the pivotal role Fibre King played in this project. Whilst only three key equipment suppliers were used, Fibre King managed all transition points between the OEM suppliers. This was not easy at times considering two suppliers are based in Germany and France yet, Fibre King used their broad experience in mechanical, electrical and software engineering to navigate this sometimes-challenging process to succeed and give Bundaberg Brewed Drinks a complete end to end working solution.”
