With its smooth and contactless single-file handling of containers, Gebo AQFlex® was able to guarantee the full product integrity required by Suntory Japan while improving the overall line performance.

Achieving high product quality standards

A key priority for Suntory Japan was reaching the highest levels of quality for its customers. “Our philosophy is “Mizu To Ikiru”, that is, “Living with Water”. By this, we endeavour to “satisfy people like water”. Our highest priority was to ensure the best quality for our customers,” said Toshiya Kobayashi, Chief Operating Officer, Global Technical Department.

Suntory Japan’s newest bottling facility, Shinano-no-mori Plant, is the production home for Tennensui mineral water, produced in one of the lightest PET bottles in Japan. The light weight of the bottle increases quality risks during production, such as dents being caused by contact between the bottles, or bottles falling.

Suntory Japan required a product handling solution that would ensure full product care by protecting the bottle’s exterior and preventing the possibility of bottles falling. The beverage manufacturer turned to Sidel and made the decision to adopt Gebo AQFlex®. Designed for all types of containers, Sidel’s all-in-one product conveying and accumulation solution ensures the highest level of product quality, due to its gentle, 100% contactless and single-lane handling of containers, thus fully meeting Suntory Japan’s expectations.

Advanced performance

With both companies sharing an ethos of innovation, Suntory Japan approached Sidel to implement the Gebo AQFlex® in its new plant after hearing about its success at Suntory France and witnessing the accumulation solution in action.

“After several visits to the Suntory France site where the Gebo AQFlex® was already successfully installed and running, we were reassured that the solution would be able to reach the high performance and output levels we required,” continues Toshiya Kobayashi.

Optimization

Sidel supports Suntory Japan to achieve improved product quality using breakthrough contactless accumulation solution - Gebo AQFlex®