Bottler Epirotic has added two new canning lines from Krones – stylishly designed cans and glass bottles to its packaging repertoire. The family-owned and managed enterprise aims to gain a foothold in the market for hotels, restaurants, and cafés (in some countries abbreviated to HoReCa) with these new containers.
“You’re sitting in a nice restaurant, bar or café and order a drink. A PET bottle would look out of place there. That is why we decided to also fill our beverages into smart-looking cans and returnable glass bottles.”
Pavlo Sepetas, Technology Director, Epirotic Bottling Industry
Ever since the company was set up, Epirotic has sought to achieve sustainable organic growth, whether regarding new production facilities or the vertical integration of a preform manufacturing plant. The decision to reach out to new target groups by using two more container types fits in seamlessly with that growth strategy, and so does opt for Krones.
“We’ve been working together with Krones for many years now, starting in 2005 when we installed the country’s first PET bottling line made by Krones, and we are very satisfied. Since then, the number of Krones lines up and running in our plants has grown to seven.”
Pavlo Sepetas, Technology Director, Epirotic Bottling Industry
When they set out to expand their horizons, the Epirotic team wanted to have a partner by their side who could draw upon plenty of experience in building and handling returnable glass and canning lines. But ultimately it was not just Krones’ expertise that won the company over.
“Planning work for this project began back in 2020. But the coronavirus pandemic forced us to put it on the backburner. When we resumed it in 2021, Krones won the bid with flying colours: Their quotation was attractive, and the team was incredibly fast. They very quickly submitted an ideal layout for the two lines.”
Pavlo Sepetas, Technology Director, Epirotic Bottling Industry
The two-in-one project
“The biggest challenge for the planning team was that both lines had to be accommodated in an existing hall. The raw materials and finished goods store located on one side of that hall didn’t make things any easier because it meant the start and finish of both lines had to be placed at the same end of the hall to facilitate the intralogistics involved. Krones provided the best possible solution to all these requirements.”
Dimitris Vassos, Plant’s Maintenance Manager, Epirotic Bottling Industry
After the contract was signed in December 2021, things once again advanced in leaps and bounds: Both lines were up and running in less than one year.
“Krones is a one-stop shop, which made everything a whole lot easier for us and faster as well. The first machine arrived in our plant on 5 August, and on 31 October, production was already up and running on both lines! That’s impressive.”
Pavlo Sepetas, Technology Director, Epirotic Bottling Industry
Besides the layout, Epirotic’s stringent quality standards for its products were a major reason for choosing Krones. The filler the company selected for their canning line is a Modulfill VFS-C with a Modulseam seamer, which are combined in the Modulfill Bloc FS-C. The advantage of the compact block solution is an isolator design that enables a microbiologically hygienic can-filling process on a small footprint.
“We are one of only a few companies to use top-quality natural mineral water for soft drinks, too. The water from our region is of great value to us, and we attach paramount importance to hygiene and the consistently high quality of our products. So the filler enclosed in a cleanroom fits in perfectly with our principles.”
Pavlo Sepetas, Technology Director, Epirotic Bottling Industry