Celtic Pure, founded in 2000 by Padraig and Pauline McEneaney, has placed an order with Krones UK Ltd, which doubles its current filling capacity to 18,000 b.p.h.
The €2.5m investment in the latest Krones technology will give Celtic Pure the capacity to produce 80 million bottles a year.
This past summer has been a record for the company as sales topped 40 million bottles, and Padraig McEneaney was keen to capitalise on the strong growth of his brands, which have also been successful in the 2014 BBI Drinks Competition, where it won a Gold and Silver medal.
“I started my search for the new line at last year’s Drinktec, having evaluated a number of suppliers,” said Padraig McEneaney. “I chose the Krones proposal not only for the quality of equipment and the reputation they have within the industry, but also for the after-sales and service back-up from their UK base in Bolton.
“Their new blow fill technology is really cutting-edge, and when installed it will make huge energy savings and improve our carbon footprint. I have chosen the Krones Contiform S3 8 cavity blower and the 32 head Modufill VODM Pet filler together with a Contiroll 15 head labeller with autosplice. Krones will also be supplying all the mass flow bottle conveyors. The line is due to be installed in February, which will be in good time for the ramp in sales that start in the early spring.”
The Krones Contiform will be producing five bottle sizes: 250ml, 500ml, 750ml, 1-litre and 1.5-litres for still water.
Matt Gardiner, Krones area sales manager for Ireland, commented on the recent order: “Currently, Celtic Pure have two bottling lines. Their sales success over the past two summers required a substantial increase in capacity and we are naturally thrilled that Padraig McEneaney has put his faith in Krones technology as the next chapter in the Celtic Pure story begins.”
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024