Traditionally sold in a famous glass bottle, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks has expanded and is now canning its own brews with new high-tech equipment.
Bundaberg Brewed Drinks CEO John McLean said the 200ml cans were launched due to consumer demand and the new canning machinery, installed by Fibre King Australia, would involve the locally owned business in every step of the manufacturing process.
The Fibre King canning line system accepts empty cans on pallets and delivers filled, coded cluster packed, and case packed, cans on to pallets ready for dispatch to the market with minimal operators.
“The new equipment means we are no longer outsourcing the canning of our brews – helping us to cut costs and reinvest the money back into the business,” John said.
“[The equipment is] also giving us the ability to produce cans for other businesses.”
John said introducing a canning line to Bundaberg Brewed Drinks was a vital step to ensuring the company met current market needs.
“This is a wonderful achievement for our company, and I am especially proud of the Bundaberg team for their hard work and commitment to delivering a canning line,” he said.
“Having a canning line has been an important step for the company, allowing us to offer a much more versatile pack format that consumers have been asking us for.”
New can packs convenient for travel and drink mixes
John said the new addition of the canning machinery helped deliver a pack format of the cans that was convenient for travel, a great size for a bit of a treat and the perfect size for mixing.
“The concept behind the cans is ‘wherever you go, we can too’.
“As lockdown restrictions are lifted, we’re expecting to see this more convenient product taken on people’s local adventures.
“With the ability to cool in the esky quicker, we know they’re the perfect permissible treat for people wanting to explore their own backyard.”
In 2014, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks began offering a 250ml squat can of Ginger Beer on Qantas flights.
However, wanting to meet the evolving demands of consumers, the craft brewed premium soft drink company has now discontinued the 250ml cans.
John said the cans had been predominantly released to the Australian market and had received very positive feedback from on-premise venues.
“The 200ml mini-can is better suited to today’s market,” John said.
“The cans can easily be packed as a lunchtime treat, as well as simplify the process of cocktail mixing.”
Bundaberg Brewed Drinks is a passionate, family owned, Australian business that has created craft brewed premium soft drinks since the 1960s and exports to over 60 countries.
“The general consensus is the new mini-cans are the perfect serving size for both mixology and straight consumption,” John said.
The 200ml cans are now available at supermarkets across Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
- Earlier report: Plans progress for new Bundaberg brewery
