As the ambitious new beverage company enters the market with low-priced products, Coca-Cola is facing increasingly fierce competition in Mexico. By putting new packaging into the market and providing consumers with more choices, Coke filling companies successfully defended their position.

As a major supplier of PET blow-molded bottles in Mexico, Zapata Envases constantly invests in world-class equipment to meet the changing needs of its customers, including its largest customer, Coca-Cola. In order to achieve the highest industrial production standards, Zapata Envases relies on an online labeling machine provided by B&H Labeling Systems to maximize the flexibility and efficiency of production while minimizing costs while producing the highest quality PET bottles.

Segio Alardin, Director of PET Business at Zapata Envases, explained: “Before the two big beverage companies in South America BigCola and E1Gallo launched a 2,5 litre beverage bottle in Mexico last year, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo needed a bottle with a maximum capacity of 2 litres. Suddenly, Coca-Cola asked us to add another 2.5L beverage bottle and a 3L beverage bottle, as well as several other bottles of different capacities, trying to completely cover the product range. We originally produced 30 different PET bottles. , now changed to 55 different PET bottles."

This situation has caused Zapata Envases to feel tremendous pressure to reconfigure the equipment as soon as possible. With the support of suppliers Sidel and B&H, the company can easily meet this challenge. Zapata Envases runs eight Sidel blow molding machines in a factory in Mexico, in conjunction with eight B&H sleeve marking machines. Alardin commented: “The services we received from B&H were impressive. Compared to other manufacturers, they responded very quickly to parts and tooling configurations for our new bottles.

The BH8000S labeler used by Zapata Envases is designed for containers from 220 ml to 3 liters, with quick changeover adjustments and the shortest possible stop time. Just replace a few parts and make a few mechanical adjustments. The operator only needs to clamp several parts in position, select the parameters of the container from the control panel, click the button, and the vacuum cylinder, cutting cylinder, brush applicator and anode label control are automatically set. Reprogramming the machine's timing position with the on-board computer reduces the difficulty of converting and adjusting and ensures that the labeling machine can operate in the best condition.

Alardin explained: “Our workers work 24 hours a day in two shifts, and work 7 days a week. The conversion process of drink bottle types has a direct impact on productivity. We try to run at least one week without conversion, but because many customers Inventory is not sufficient, as long as the customer calls us to say that there is an urgent need, we will supply.Sometime we only need to produce 24 hours to change the packaging line.

“The three PET plants of Zapata Envases, in order to meet the needs of carbonated soft drink fillers and drinkers, have produced about 300 million preforms and 2.5 billion PET bottles per month. The market is at 15% per year. The growth rate of ~18%, especially during the peak season, will see a 20% jump in demand, and it is expected that this growth will continue, which will put a lot of pressure on production.

The B&H labeler is suitable for continuous use, with low-maintenance drive arrangements, an accurate cutting system and a precise gluing system. Alardin explained: “When it is full production, it is very difficult to arrange training for operators, so having easy-to-use and easy-to-use equipment is critical. We have a good experience with B&H. Model 8000 is an easy-to-operate model. We can guarantee excellent efficiency. We don't have many problems using this technology, and its service life is as long as 10 to 30 years."

Alardin has used a wide variety of label machines for several years, including sleeve labelers and labelers from other suppliers. “We found that B&H's labeling machines are more reliable, more versatile, and have more normal working hours.” Alardin said: “The quality standards are set by Coke and they represent the highest standards in the industry. About 60% of our bottles will supply Coca-Cola. , But all of our bottles can meet these highest standards. We need to produce good bottles, good label materials, and we need to complete the labeling operations with accurate overprinting and accurate label positioning."

Each of B&H's labellers has a patented computerized image overlay system that virtually eliminates the inaccurate label overprinting in mechanical systems and produces the highest quality labeling containers with simple operations. The combination of on-board computers and advanced electromechanical systems provides unlimited backside black line variations. The sensor can detect changes in the trademark parameters and can automatically make the necessary adjustments without reducing the speed of the labelling line or stopping the motion of the labeling line.

The labeler can handle a variety of label film materials with different processing properties. In response to the emergence of a large number of label materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and transparent polystyrene, B&H developed a labeling machine that expands the machine operation window. Reduce downtime caused by labeling control by half.

Zapata Envases currently produces 55 different PET bottles at its Mexico City factory, but more than 200 labels are placed on these bottles. He said: "The irregularity of the label material may be a problem. What is important is that our labeling machine can adapt to this change." B&H sleeve labeler has proved very reliable, so it naturally becomes the choice of ZapataEnvases device and makes it beautiful The labeling containers allow Coke and other products to achieve the desired display appeal.

While other blow molding companies are reducing product prices, Zapata Envases is different. They also invest in reducing costs. In this huge market that fluctuates frequently and frequently with the seasons, Zapata Envases wants to maintain its ability to respond to a large number of consumers through investments. Mexico's Candidate Consumption for 151 Coke is Now a Tide of the Sea

The world's highest, and 58% of carbonated soft drinks are packaged in PET bottles. Zapata Envases is facing huge market opportunities.

Alardin concluded: “Over the years, the market has become mature and efficient. Regardless of whether it is in terms of quality or responsiveness, customers have placed more demands on us. In fact, in order to reduce shipping costs, we are trying to Blow molding is performed at the factory.” It is precisely this dedicated technology investment and service that has enabled zaPata EnVases to be competitive in the ever-changing industry.