IDL, a family-owned and operated beverage solutions provider located in the Moorabool Valley Victoria, recently partnered with Fibre King to upgrade its canning line, unlock greater production capacity, and introduce a new level of flexibility to cater to the requirements of its expanding product range.
As IDL has expanded its product range beyond wine to include spirits, ciders and RTDs, the company says it has faced the challenge of finding a comprehensive packaging solution that could cater to its changing production needs.
With its existing lines unable to accommodate the growing demands, IDL sought a partner who could provide a customised solution. Fibre King set about engineering a conveying, case packing and palletising solution that would integrate seamlessly with an existing filler and WestRock Multipacker.
Emily Wright, Victorian sales engineer at Fibre King, said, “The solution for this project was centred around conveying from the filler to the WestRock machine. This included single file can conveying into mass flow and then directly into two lanes to feed the WestRock Multipacker. From there, the multipacks of four or six packs transfer into the Fibre King WAP25 Case Packer, and from here it goes to the CMP Palletiser where the cases are palletised.
“We understand all the details behind a project before we put forward any solution. We will look at what sort of product we're running, at what rates and what space constraints we have to work within and from here we develop a solution fit for purpose. In this particular project, all the equipment was designed in such a way to fit a very small footprint.”
Boosting efficiency and capacity
IDL’s CEO Andrew Byers commented that optimising flexibility was a priority. He said, “When we put in our second canning line, which is our high-speed canning line, we really wanted to have the maximum amount of flexibility at the back end, which was manual. We had staff packing into wraps and then taking those wraps, putting them to cartons, cartons onto pallets. What we needed to do in order to increase the efficiency down that line was to actually increase the automation of it.”
With Fibre King's solution in place, IDL says it has witnessed a significant transformation in its packaging operations. The automated systems eliminated manual handling, reducing the risk of errors and improving overall efficiency.
IDL says its filling speed increased from 4800 cans per hour to an average of 10,000 cans per hour, enabling the company to meet growing demands while maintaining product quality. The flexibility of the solution also allowed IDL to cater to different can formats, including 330ml sleeks and 250ml slims.
A successful partnership
“We had quite a detailed list of requirements when looking for a partner and found Fibre King to be incredibly solutions focused. We needed to find a partner that was able to deliver exactly what we wanted into the space that we needed as well,” said Byers.
“The solution that Fibre King came up with was perfect for all our requirements. It's not an easy space to work in size-wise. It's also previously been a cool room so all the floors, all the angles, all the drains were in places that were difficult to actually place the machine. Their ability to meet our needs and integrate with a WestRock as well as our filling line was fantastic.”
According to IDL, what set Fibre King apart was its solutions-focused approach and open communication. IDL says it appreciated the collaborative nature of the partnership, as Fibre King actively listened to its requirements and delivered a solution that aligned with its needs. In overcoming challenges related to space and integration with existing equipment, Fibre King's team showcased their expertise and dedication to fulfilling IDL's vision.
Future growth and collaboration
With the capacity to handle spirits, ciders, RTDs, and increased wine production, IDL is equipped to meet the evolving demands of the market.
Fibre King believes the successful implementation of the packaging solution has positioned IDL for further growth and expansion into new product lines, and the OEM's role in building back-end capability will be instrumental in IDL's continued success.
