Today so much is about the super serve – by that I mean easy and quick dispensing giving a great choice of beers or soft drinks.
Global ice and dispensing specialist Manitowoc (pronounced Man ee tow woc) already plays a major role in the beverage industry, supplying machines to both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo all over the world. I have just been sampling their new super smoothie maker – with 400 options in total. Based on bag in box technology the consumer can choose from indulgent or lower calorie options such as lemon, lime and mint – but be warned if you drink them too quickly you will suffer brain freeze. Manitowoc is supplying this super smoothie maker to 1300 Macdonalds stores in the UK alone and they recouped the 16-1800 euro outlay per machine in just 6 weeks.
A similar system but somewhat simpler, with 3 PET KeyKegs stored below a Selbach Chiller has been designed by NDMAC systems of Brittany. Perfect for those who want to sample craft beers, wines or sodas, it ties into RFID Smart Card technology and also enables the beer suppliers to keep an eye on the refill situation as well as supply promotions to their best customers. The future of beverage automation? It certainly looks like it.
Another automation launch from KHS at the show, was introduced by CEO Matthias Niemeyer at a press briefing last night. This is the Innofill Can DVD canfiller. It uses lower levels of oxygen and as it is driven by servo motors it requires no lubrication and so the plant floor stays clean and dry. The ‘can plus rinse’ process uses 30% less Co2 – it was 2.8 bar and now just 0.4 bar – giving significant savings, especially when at its maximum capacity of 120,000 cans per hour.
KHS were also keen to talk about their Direct Print capabilities offering 360 degrees in one rotation and their Rotary Aseptic Machine- already in use by Turkish manufacturer Dogannay. “It leaves the plant so clean you can eat from the floor” he joked.
That’s what Brau Beviale is all about – superior automation making business better.
Claire Phoenix is FoodBev Media managing editor – magazines. This is a personal blog and views expressed are her own.
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024