Florida’s Due South Brewing Co. is packing its range of canned craft beer much more efficiently and cost-effectively thanks to WaveGrip‘s G1 multi-packing applicator. Based just outside of West Palm Beach, Due South was the first full production craft brewery in South Florida and currently operates a 27,000-sq-ft brewery and taproom. Producing around 5,000 barrels a year, with five core brands, Due South supplies bars, restaurants and retail locations across Florida.
To meet the growing demand for its beers, Due South needed to improve the multi-packing of its 16 oz cans in both 4 and 6-pack configurations, all within the limited space available in the brewery. The G1 with its compact footprint of just 55 in x 31.5 in offered the perfect solution, being designed specifically for the needs of small to medium sized brewers and even mobile canning operations.
Due South’s G1 applicator operates at 35 cans per minute (cpm) to fit with the current production requirements of the canning line. With the potential to run at speeds of 100 cpm it also has plenty of room for expansion, as Due South’s volume grows for its range of year-round and limited-edition beers.
The G1 has enabled Due South to automate its packaging at an exceptionally affordable price point, moving away from the previously labor intensive solution. Positioned as an entry level machine, specifically designed with craft brewers in mind, the G1 costs just $26,000 and has meant Due South predicting it will pay for itself within just 10-11 months.
“Once we installed the G1 our packaging ran much smoother and it saved us a lot of labor at the end of the line. The difference is incredible,” says Mike Halker, founder and head brewer of Due South. “Above all, the biggest selling point of WaveGrip is their support. They’ve come to our facility a number of times to work with us and to make sure the machine is working as it should. I couldn’t have asked for better service.”
Another important part in Due South’s choice of WaveGrip was that the carriers are extremely lightweight, using less material than any other multi-packing solution. Additionally, all WaveGrip carriers are 100% recyclable and meet current US packaging regulations by being photodegradable.
“Sustainability is obviously important to us and the entire industry. It’s really important that people can come to us and we are able to explain and feel happy in the WaveGrip solution we’re using,” Halker says.
