EDITOR ’ S CHOICE CONTINUOUS GROWTH
TSUBAKI
Tsubaki Neptune™ chain keeps the drinks coming for beverage manufacturer
Tsubaki ’ s range of Neptune™ chains are ideal for bottle conveyor applications .
The beverage industry operates on a global scale , with its growth driven by our desire for convenient drinks . With the needs of billions to cater for , beverage manufacturers need to utilise highly reliable equipment to meet demand and secure profitability .
A beverage manufacturer in the Netherlands approached Tsubaki to provide a highly reliable drive chain to boost its equipment uptime , allowing it to capitalise on customer demand .
GROWING BEVERAGE DEMAND
The global beverage industry is a story of continuous growth , matching an expanding human population and resulting demand . Trends such as improved living standards , the desire for convenience and changing tastes have spawned technologically advanced production lines and cold chain facilities to deliver beverages to consumers worldwide . In 2018 , the global beverage industry was valued at US $ 1,544.61 billion1 , with future predictions estimating further growth in the years to come .
A highly efficient production line that can provide high output is essential for meeting customer demand .
HIGH DUTY REQUIREMENTS
To meet this demand , beverage manufacturers need to secure the reliability of production lines . A highly efficient production line that can provide high output is essential for meeting customer demand . It is also vital for securing profitability . Mass produced beverages offer low profit margins per unit , so ensuring reliable high output is key for manufacturers looking to maximising return . Furthermore , many beverage manufacturers will have supply contracts to honour with businesses such as supermarkets . These are incredibly lucrative , and failure to fulfil delivery quotas places these agreements at risk . Ensuring the continued reliability of production equipment is therefore incredibly important for the prosperity of a beverage manufacturer .
WASHING IT DOWN
Combined with these demanding duty requirements , beverage manufacturers must also ensure that hygienic standards are maintained . High pressure chemical washdowns are standard across the sector , which reduce product contamination risks . However , this can adversely affect equipment that is not specialised for these operational conditions . Power transmission components on equipment such as conveyors are particularly at risk : chains for example .
In the case of conveyor chains , repeated high pressure chemical washdowns can
28 PECM Issue 50