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NEWS For Immediate Release
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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.).
About W. Amsler Equipment Inc.
W. Amsler Equipment Inc. is a privately-held Canadian company founded
in 1994 by Werner Amsler. The company manufactures state-of-the-art, highly-efficient
all-electric reheat stretch-blow molding machines and auxiliary equipment
for manufacturers of plastic containers for the carbonated soft drink,
water, and food industries. The product line includes linear machines
with output up to10,000 bottles/hr and rotary equipment for up to 24,000
bottles/hr. The company was one of the first to develop all-electric machines
which provide users with highly-repeatable processing, energy savings
up to 50% vs. hydraulics, and a 75% reduction in maintenance costs.
Amsler also supplies auxiliary equipment for complete blow bolding plants,
water treatment, and filling lines. These products include bottle-inspection
units, air compressors, process chillers, mold temperature-control units,
blow-dome spin-off trimmers, gaylord dumpers, vacuum conveyors, and blow
molds. The company has also partnered with companies to provide turnkey
liquid filling equipment. More details are available at www.amslerequipment.net
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PRESS CONTACT:
Joseph Grande
413.684.2463
joe.grande@verizon.net