Cap Snap Water Equipment (Portola Packaging,
Inc.) and Midbrook, Inc. Sign Licensing Agreement
San
Jose, CA. - Portola Packaging, Inc. announced
today that it has completed a licensing agreement with Midbrook, Inc. for the
production, marketing, and sale of Portola's Cap Snap Water Equipment. Midbrook,
with manufacturing locations in Jackson, Michigan,
and Sao Paulo, Brazil,
is a leading manufacturer of metal parts washing and drying equipment and robotic
and conveying systems with the brand names "Hurricane" and "Cyclone." Midbrook will have licensing rights to all Value Line, PortaPlant,
and Adapta models. Midbrook will have the rights to sell PortaPlant models
worldwide. Midbrook will have rights to sell Value Line and Adapta product
lines worldwide, with the exception of the broader European market. Earlier
this quarter Portola entered into a separate licensing agreement with its European
subsidiary, CapSnap Europe, granting it rights to manufacture, market and sell
the Value Line and Adapta product lines throughout the greater European market. This
strategic decision enables Capsnap Europe to continue its very successful complete
system approach offering 5-gallon caps, bottles, equipment, and also local technical
support and spare parts service. Manufacturing of Cap Snap
Water Equipment will begin shortly in Midbrook factories. Midbrook also will
maintain a world-class parts and service department to support customers around
the world. During the initial transition, existing Cap Snap Equipment customers
can still obtain parts and service support and auxiliary equipment from the New
Castle, PA, facility. "We're
very confident that Midbrook will continue to provide the world-class levels of
quality, service, and reliability that Portola customers have received in the
past, in addition to improving on the technology of our Cap Snap Water Equipment
designs," said Jim Taylor, president and COO of Portola Packaging, Inc. "Midbrook's
technological strengths and international manufacturing capability will make the
Cap Snap product lines more valuable for our customers for many years to come.
Manufacture and sale of the Value Line and Adapta product lines by CapSnap
Europe specifically for European customers will also add value for those customers
since the equipment will be built locally and customized to the needs of European
customers." "We are excited about the prospects
of working in the bottled water industry," said Don Reeder, Director of Business
Development, Commercial Division, of Midbrook, Inc. "With our knowledge
of the automotive sector, especially the Big Three, we feel that we bring a heightened
level of quality along with a listening ear to find out what this industry really
wants and needs in the future. Having Portola for a partner just made the
decision to enter the bottled water industry that much easier for us." Portola Packaging manufactures plastic
closures and containers for leading dairy, beverage, and food companies worldwide.
The company is well known in the bottled water industry for its high-quality Cap
Snap Water Equipment. Portola also supplies the cosmetic and personal care industries
with packaging through its Portola Tech International division. The company has
over a dozen manufacturing plants in the United
States, Europe, China,
Mexico, and Canada, and sells
to companies throughout the world. Midbrook,
Inc. is proud to bring their thirty+ years of experience in aqueous parts cleaning
technology to the bottled water industry. Midbrook is QS9000 and ISO14001
registered as well as a Ford Q1 certified supplier. It is this level of quality
commitment, along with extensive R&D, design, fabrication, and laboratory
research experience that make Midbrook the perfect partner for a proven winner
like Portola. For more information, visit them at
www.midbrook.com. Representatives
from Portola Packaging, Midbrook and CapSnap Europe will be available to answer
questions about the new agreement in Booth #403 at BevExpo in Tampa,
FL, September 29 - October 1. For
more information, contact: Don
Reeder, Director of Business Development, Commercial DivisionMidbrook, Inc.
PO Box 867
/ 2080 Brooklyn Rd. Jackson,
MI 49204 T: 800.966.9274 x459 517.787.3481 F: 517.787.2349
E: dreeder@midbrook.com Scott
Merritt, Vice President, Corporate Services Portola Packaging, Inc. 898 Faulstich Court
San Jose, CA 94526
408 573 2141 smerritt@portpack.com
Polymer
Solutions International Introduces Its TierStackTM
Modular Bottled Water Rack System Medford,
NJ - Polymer Solutions has recently introduced the new, all-plastic TierStackTM
Modular Bottled Water Rack System. Available for immediate shipment, the TierStackTM
utilizes many of the innovative design features as the well-received ProStackTM,
but is lighter-in-weight, has additional flexibility and economy for those companies
looking for a "ProStack lite".  Dan
Kelly, Polymer Solutions' president, comments, "The bottlers'
response to our ProStackTM has been extremely favorable. We developed
the TierStackTM for bottlers limited by rack weight and the high initial
cost of rack float conversion. TierStack'sTM lower cost would allow
many bottlers to cut bottle leaker problems in their operations with a lower initial
capital investment. The system's modular design and durable plastic construction
is providing bottlers with tremendous flexibility and substantial cost savings." "We
took great care in designing the TierStackTM to provide optimum bottle
protection, durability and safe and stable handling in the warehouse and on the
routes." Bottlers using the TierStackTM to store and ship their
product will enjoy greatly reduced bottled fatigue leading to longer bottle life
and fewer damaged bottles. The
modular design eliminates the need for odd sized racks because the system can
be easily customized to fit in all delivery truck bays, even those located over
the wheels. What's more, the injection molded, all-plastic construction is maintenance-free,
won't damage truck bays and insures dimensional consistency. As a result, the
TierStackTM works smoothly in all automated and robotic equipment,
and the expensive handling and maintenance problems associated with rusted, dented
racks are eliminated. With
US and foreign patents pending, the TierStackTM is backed by a five-year
warranty. For information on this revolutionary bottled water storage and shipping
system, please call (877)444-7225 or visit the Polymer Solutions International
website at www.prostack.com.
OASIS®
CORPORATION ACQUIRES SUNROC CORPORATION COLUMBUS,
Ohio (October 23, 2003) - OASIS® Corporation Chief Executive Officer Romaine
Gilliland today announced the acquisition of long-time competitor Sunroc Corporation
of Dover, Delaware. Terms were not disclosed. The
action facilitates the combination of two of the industry's oldest, most established
manufacturers of water dispensing products. OASIS Corporation, founded in 1910,
employs 1,000 associates worldwide with annual gross sales in excess of $175 million.
Sunroc, formed in 1922, has 300 associates with annual sales of $50 million. "This
is a banner day for OASIS Corporation," said Gilliland. "In addition
to increasing our market share, we anticipate many advantages of the combined
businesses. Foremost will be the ability to enhance product innovation and improve
sales and customer service, while providing a clear focus on long-term benefits
for our valued customers and associates. With the transaction complete, we will
now begin a unified integration process." "I'm
looking forward to joining the OASIS team, added Sunroc CEO Anthony A. Salamone.
"Becoming part of the world's largest and most innovative water cooler manufacturing
company will help secure a brighter future for our customers, our associates,
and our community." Headquartered
in Columbus, Ohio, OASIS Corporation is a world leader in the manufacture and
sale of bottled water, point of use, and pressure water coolers, drinking fountains,
commercial coffee brewers, and dehumidifiers. The company also is recognized as
an industry leader in the production of small, refrigerated appliances for beverage
dispensing and air treatment markets. Known
for many innovative firsts in the improvement of water products systems, OASIS
Corporation (oasiswatercoolers.com) operates manufacturing facilities in Ohio,
California, Mexico, Canada, Ireland and Poland. Established
81 years ago as Sunroc Spring Water Company in Glen Riddle, Pa., Sunroc Corporation
moved to Dover in 1995 after building a 250,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility
in the Delaware capital city. It manufactures bottled, point of use and pressure
water coolers, drinking fountains, plumbing specialties, and key control systems. Contact:
Tony Salamone 302-678-7800 or Mark Blackstone 614-861-1350, ext. 1285.
QUATS
Quaternary
ammonium compounds or 'quats' have been used as sanitizing agents in the food
processing industry for many years. The first quats were synthesized in the mid
1930's. Since then, quats have been modified and refined to improve performance
and cost effectiveness. The modifications are classified into groups known as
'generations'. Presently, there are seven generations of quats, five of which
are commonly used in the sanitizers currently on the market today. '5th
generation Quat' is a term that has been heard quite frequently in the food processing
industry over the past several months. A 5th generation quat is a blend of 4th
generation Dialkyl quat and a 1st generation Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride
(ADBAC) quat in a 60/40 ratio. This synergistic blend produces superior microbiological
results as compared to the individual components when tested via the AOAC Use
Dilution Test. In other words, the components work better together than they would
separately. The 5th generation quat also enjoy the benefit of greater hard water
tolerance than some of the earlier generations. Cleaners
& Sanitizers - know your chemicals If
Nitric Acid is in a chemical used during your cleaning or sanitizing, look into
the affects it may have on the process. Nitric Acid in acid cleaners works very
well to remove scale from piping. However, the % of nitric acid combined with
temperature during cleaning could degrade parts of the process. Gaskets, valve
seats, o-rings, or any other part of the process made of EPDM material could be
at risk. Nitric acid and other harsh chemicals have been known to degrade / melt
EPDM material over time. If EPDM materials are used, regular inspections are recommended.
Here is a chart of chemical compatibility referencing chemicals, temperatures,
and materials that are compatible with your application.
Seat
Materials
| Chemical
Name | Hypalon |
Viton |
EPDM |
Teflon
| | Ammonium
Chloride 50%, 180F | E |
I |
E |
E |
| Ethyl Acetate |
U |
U |
F |
E |
| Nitric Acid10%,
70F | E |
E |
I |
E |
| Nitric Acid
30%, 70F | E |
I |
E |
E |
| Nitric Acid
60%, 175F | F |
E |
I |
E |
| Phosphoric
Acid 10%, 70F | E |
E |
I |
E |
| Phosphoric
Acid 25%, 70F | E |
E |
I |
E |
| Phosphoric
Acid 75%, 70F | E |
E |
I |
E |
| Sodium Hypochlorite
5%, 60F | E |
E |
I |
E |
| Sulphuric Acid
0-7%, 70F | E |
E |
U |
E |
| Sulphuric Acid
7-40%, 70F | E |
E |
U |
E |
| Sulphuric Acid
40-75%, 70F | G |
G |
U |
E |
| Sulphuric Acid
75-95% | U |
G |
U |
E |
| Water 185F |
I |
I |
E |
E |
| Water 225F |
U |
U |
G |
E |
E
- Excellent G - Good F - Fair U - Unsatisfactory I - Insufficient Data
Hazard
Analysis
Critical
Control
Points Cook
and Thurber has joined NSF and will be auditing HACCP programs in Bottled Water
Facilities. Along with NSF, other audits such as Department of Defense and
FDA may also be looking at plant HACCP programs As
plants gear up for this years Audits here are a few key points to check on your
HACCP Plan: 1.
Make sure all of your specific Food Hazards and Critical Control Points are identified
and documented. 2.
Have a written control plan on the monitoring of the control points. 3.
Ensure that a breach log with action plans is updated. 4.
Have a documented HACCP evaluation flow diagram of each line and processes describing
location and control points in the process. 5.
Your program manual should include documented monthly meetings, training presentations,
and action plans on changes in the process. 6.
The HACCP team should include individuals with quality, production, engineering,
microbiology, and process experience For
more information on HACCP regulations, visit NSF web pages. Search for 'HACCP
NSF BOTTLED WATER' Technical
Manual Volume 5 is now available. This manual focuses on Good Manufacturing
Practices from spring sources to the filling rooms. It is a 3 part manual
that will conclude with packaging and warehousing GMP's in 2005.
75% of Americans are Chronically
Dehydrated In 37%
of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger,
even mild dehydration will slow down ones metabolism as much as 3%.
- One glass of water shuts down
midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a U-Washington
study.
- Lack of water
is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.
- Preliminary
research indicates that eight-ten glasses of water a day could significantly ease
back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
- A
mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic
math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
- Drinking five glasses of water
daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of
breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.
Are you drinking the
amount of water you should every day? System
Eliminates Anthrax from City Water SuppliesIn
the event of a terrorist attack, water utilities would be protected from harm
and from expensive liability afterward. Tempe,
AZ - Water Consultants and Laboratories, founded by an ex-Navy biochemist, has
been leading ahead of other professionals in the field of water consultation by
developing new systems and techniques for water reuse and reclamation. Water
Consultants and Laboratories (WCL) has developed a one-of-a-kind water reuse system
that will take water discharge and make it an environmentally safe nutrient source
for plant life. The
new system takes on added importance as new terrorist threats may be aimed at
public water supplies. It eliminates Anthrax and thirty other kinds of the most
deadly bacteria. Utilizing
this system, industry can recycle their water for other uses like watering the
grass. This system has the potential to save on water consumption while reducing
the need to purchase fertilizers. WCL
is working to promote peace of mind and safety for its clients during this time
of bio-terrorism by developing a proactive approach to homeland defense. They
have implemented this system at a purified water bottling company in Phoenix. Stephen
Currior, president of O Premium Waters says, Since the 9/11 terrorism attack,
we asked Water Consultants and Laboratories to implement a system to help in detecting
any potential bio-threats to our purified water systems. We now have a system
in place that will alert us of this type of potential health threat. With WCL's
knowledge, service, and integrity, we are confident that we have a successful
system in place to help maintain purified and safe water products for our customers. Keeping
water environmentally safe is a priority at WCL. Chemists are using proprietary
measures for removing Boron, a carcinogen proven to cause cancer, from industrial
wastewater. Boron is an extremely dangerous toxin that not only causes cancer,
but also eats away at the good bacteria that breaks down waste in our sewage systems.
Staff at WCL also takes on active leadership roles in educating industry on proper
care of lakes and ponds. They teach natural means of cleanup instead of using
hazardous chemicals that could harm animals and people. WCL
is socially conscious as well as environmentally conscious. They were responsible
for solving a potential cholera epidemic in South Africa, saving hundreds, maybe
thousand of lives. Their scientist and researchers step up to support third world
countries suffering from environmental hazards. For
more information about Water Consultants and Laboratories, log onto http://www.waterconsultants.com
or call (480)929.9180. Agr*Top
Wave LLC Introduces GAWIS with AutoFeed Laboratory System for Plastic Containers 
Agr*Top
Wave LLC announced the availability of the Gawis with AutoFeed (Gawis
AF) automated thickness and dimensional system for plastic containers and performs.
Gawis AF is a non-contact laboratory device designed to profile accurate, repeatable
measurement of variables that are crucial to container performance. Gawks AF offers
a totally automated approach to the tedious task of container and perform quality
assurance testing. The
Gawis AF permits a number of vital laboratory tests to be performed in one operation,
including comprehensive measurement of container sidewall, heel and shoulder thickness,
body profile measurements in multiple locations, finish dimensioning, height,
lean and pushup. When equipped with the proper fixtures, Gawis AF can be used
for perform measurement as well. Gawis AF eliminates the need for multiple devices
and individual tests, resulting in considerable savings in time and increased
laboratory throughput.
The Gawis AF is ideal for quality control inspection of newly formed containers,
incoming inspection of purchased containers, and evaluation of container designs
in the development laboratory. Benefits of this system include:
- Hands-free testing of up to
20 containers or 72 preforms
- Accurate,
non-contact thickness and dimensional measurements
- Repeatable
measurements, regardless of operator experience and skill
- Significantly
reduced laboratory time devoted to thickness and dimensional measurements
- Automatic record keeping, including
statistical report generation
Improved productivity of laboratory personnel The
Gawis AF incorporates a number of superior features including an automatic bottled-feeding
system for increased throughput and walk-away operation. With the autofeed feature,
up to 20 bottles of 72 preforms can be loaded onto the autofeed tray, systematically
tested and results documents. Once a test sequence is initiated, The Gawis AF
requires no operator intervention to test a series of bottles or performs, freeing
lab personnel for other tasks. Additional features incorporated into the Gawis
AF include Agr*Top Waves infrared thickness measurement system. This is
the heart of the Gawis AF and provides comprehensive non-contact thickness measurement
over the entire body of the container, including the heel and should region. An
advanced optical system, using a high-resolution, camera provides dimensional
measurement for container or perform sidewall and finish. A robust drive-positioning
system and automatic centering divide are provided for placement accuracy during
automated operation. Gawis
AF will handle a wide range of PET bottle sizes and shapes including filled containers
up to 3 liters. A full range of thickness and dimensions measurement can be performed
on empty PET containers. By removing the light tube, dimensional measurements
can also be performed on filled containers. This feature is ideal for determining
dimensional shifts as result of the filling process or material creep. Agr*TopWave,
LLC develops and manufactures a full line of laboratory and online testing/quality
control devices for plastic containers and similar products. Agr*Top Wave's headquarters
and manufacturing facility is located in Butler, PA USA. Agr*TopWave is a division
of Agr International Inc. For
further information contact: David Dineff, Product Marketing Director Agr*Top
Wave LLC, Butler, PA, USA. Phone - 1(724) 482-2163 or email ddineff@agrintl.com. |