“The labeling process is an essential part of the TriBlock and must run at the absolute highest level of availability, effectiveness, and quality,” says Plant Manager John Bickerstaff. “Also regarding ease of maintenance and production reliability along the entire line, we’ve had top results right from day one with the pre-blued technology.” He attributes this not just to the innovative labeling method but also to the continuous neck handling of the lightweight bottles, which protects them from mechanical stress during production.
The Richmonds are also eager to attain further pioneering status when it comes to sustainable packaging. One of their chief concerns is that they reduce their bottle weights and thus the amount of PET used. “With the help of the experts from KHS’s Bottles & ShapesTM program and our preform manufacturer Plastipak, we’re setting a new lightweighting record with practically every new product we introduce,” says Richmond. “In the Magee plant we’ve been using 500-mL PET bottles that weigh just 7.8 grams since 2017. And on the brand new TriBlock in Ocala the containers weigh just 7 g.”
