Six-pack case builder speeds craft beer to market

The craft beer industry has tapped into rising demand in recent years thanks to its attention to fresh ingredients, small batches, and creative recipes.

One ingredient gets less attention than the others, however packaging. Brewmasters can bottle the finest artisanal lager, ale, porter, or stout, but business will be flat unless they can get the product safely to market. Flimsy cardboard six-packs or shaky case boxes can result in cracked and shaken bottles.

In response to this need, Canton, Ohio-based Combi Packaging Systems LLC has unveiled a packaging machine that helps brewers reduce labor costs and increase throughput, as they hop to the task of getting their craft-brewed products to distribution centers and retail shelves. Combi also manufactures equipment such as case erectors, case sealers, case packers, tray formers, ergonomic hand-packing stations, robotic case packers, and case labelers.

The new BrewPack machine addresses the tedious, labor-intensive work of hand-erecting the four- and six-pack carriers and master shipping cases, Combi CEO John Fisher said in a release. To see the machines at work, check out the videos.