Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/591609
PACKAGING November 2015 WINES&VINES 91 duction. "Wineries that do well with lead times plan months out to get custom caps. For others who have waited until the last minute, we're either rushing production and shipping materials via air freight from overseas, or we are using our own proprietary laser- engraving here in-house." Typically, Casper said, wineries ask for single color top/side de- signs. "Few are using multiple color top/bottoms. Embossing is at a premium; so many wineries opt for the flat-print option, bringing the cost down, but still keeping most of the design concepts." Clients with many smaller brands opt for top laser engraving, which enables customized brands at a smaller level than other screwcaps, Casper said. "We can produce laser engraving down to one box (1,000 units)." For clients who want top and side foil, "We can have print dies produced in two weeks, completed in two more weeks." Casper estimated about 25% of his clients order with lead times of a month or less. A better plan, he suggested, is to start the purchase process 12 to 14 weeks out, giving time for mock-up designs, color-matching and samples of fully finished caps. Line up for bottling ATM Bottling attained more than 2 million cases in seven years. Value-added services for mobile- bottling clients include an on- board nitrogen generator for sparging (no cumbersome "dewar" gas canisters required); in-line case printing for important case ID, which "saves a person and cost of a label," according to John Davis. Laser bottle coding with date, which is "required but not en- forced," per Davis; stem steriliza- tion; Nitrodose Ease Drip N 2 headspace dosing and hot glue case sealing for a smoother look and durability are among the capabilities. In response to customer re- quests for labeling services with more shelf appeal, ATM added bottle label orientation and a third label station for neck labels. The Napa-based bottler works with wineries of all sizes, mostly in the North Coast. Fogg Filler of Holland, Mich., said its new LT series of fillers are designed for a market "previously untouched by domestic equipment manufacturers. They are perfectly suited for smaller to mid-size win- eries looking for their first bottling machine or looking to upgrade to something a little faster and easier to use and maintain." The LT series are smaller in footprint and less expensive than Fogg's other offerings. Built in the United States, they come with American support and service for easy, inexpensive maintenance and servicing. "We have sold multiple Fogg fillers to companies from the East to West Coast, including a mobile wine filler," said Kortni Hartmen. "Our fillers fill wine bottles rang- ing from 50ml up to 1.75 liters. The LT version is simplified: All electrical controls have been brought down to a more basic level to cut down on cost and complexity." TCW Equipment of Napa, in- troduced a semi-automatic filling system: Each station's action is automated, but bottles are moved manually from station to station, Michael Caviness explained. "For example, when the bottle is placed on the rinser/sparger, the cycle is carried out automatically. Bottles are then manually moved to the filler, where they are filled automatically." Include Code 0115 on your first order for an extra 10% off! 510-732-7010 A Division of Bay Seal Company Providing Sealing Solutions for over 50 Years wineryseals.com Start the purchase process 12 to 14 weeks out, giving time for mock-up designs, color- matching and samples of fully finished caps.