Discover your next big idea at PACK EXPO Las Vegas this September
Experience a breakthrough in packaging & processing and transform your business with solutions from 2,300 suppliers spanning all industries.
REGISTER NOW & SAVE

New case packer eliminates bottleneck

New machine lets this New York craft brewer increase production by 30%, improve beer quality and shelf life, and redeploy operators in more meaningful activities.

MODULAR PARTS. Changeover from one bottle size to another has gotten so much easier thanks in large part to the new case packer’s modular parts.
MODULAR PARTS. Changeover from one bottle size to another has gotten so much easier thanks in large part to the new case packer’s modular parts.

Launched in 2002 in Lakewood, NY, Southern Tier Brewing needed a new facility by 2009.  So they built one. But after moving into it, they discovered that their case packer was a bottleneck. So last June, they installed a 939EZ Versatron system from Standard-Knapp. The machine is specifically designed to combine proven and reliable case packing technology in an affordable package.

The result? Production has gone up by 30%, partly because changeover time has been significantly reduced. “We make two job changes during a day, and it seemed to take forever,” says Plant Manager Brian Evens. “Then we had to tweak the settings and dial it in to make it work properly.”

Another issue with the old packer is that it frequently didn’t line up correctly, causing bottles to fall and break. Someone often had to stand over and babysit the machine or shake or push bottles to avoid crushed and broken glass that caused shut downs. When these shut downs occurred it was bad not only because it meant a delay but also because of quality issues. According to Evens, the biggest enemy in beer production is oxygen, and every time the line was shut down it represented an opportunity for oxygen to get into the beer.

Considered the “little brother” of Standard-Knapp’s industry-standard Versatron family of case packers, the 939EZ is equipped with an air-over-oil lift table, which controls the descent of product into the case, and a simple indexing case feed that maintains design simplicity without sacrificing control and speed. The 939EZ operates at speeds to 30 cases/min, which was perfect for Southern Tier’s needs.

Pharmaceutical Innovations Report
Discover the latest breakthrough packaging technologies shaping the pharmaceutical sector. This report dives into cutting-edge innovations, from smart containers that enhance patient safety to eco-friendly materials poised to transform the industry’s sustainability practices. All from PACK EXPO. Learn how forward-thinking strategies are driving efficiency and redefining what’s possible in pharma packaging.
Learn More
Pharmaceutical Innovations Report
2024 PACK EXPO Innovations Reports
Exclusive access: Packaging World editor-curated reports revealing PACK EXPO's most groundbreaking technologies across food, healthcare, and machinery sectors. Each report features truly innovative solutions selected from hundreds of exhibitors by our expert team. Transform your operations with just one click.
Access Now
2024 PACK EXPO Innovations Reports