Mandate & Objectives:
To deliver in less than 6 months a new automated canning line for carbonated and non-carbonated products running at 240 cans per minute with three operators.
- Feasibility studies, Layout and budget
- Suppliers selection/ Contracts
- Project management:organize, plan, integrate, install, start-up and train plant personnel
Equipment that we have installed
- A high level automatic depalletizer with an accumulation table as well as a single filer.
- The chutes for cans with ionized air rinsers for removing debris in the cans.
- A counter-pressure can filler with 24 filling valves and 4 seaming heads with an integrated can washer.
- An inspection system for checking the level of the liquid with rejection of non-conform products.
- A can pressure monitoring system followed by an ink jet coder for cans.
- Two inline machines placing flexible or rigid plastic rings allowing the cans to be grouped by 4, 6 or 8.
- A complete case conveying system with an integrated labeler, case elevator, accumulation, palletizer with integrated stretchwrapper.
Gespro’s role in the project:
Our team in charge of the turnkey project provided the resources and skills to achieve client's objectives. We have designed, planned, directed and supervised the work carried out by contractors and equipment suppliers. We dealt with unforeseen circumstances and tight deadlines to deliver a project within established budget and timelines.
Concretely, Gespro has:
- Participated in reviewing options to implement and integrate the new line
- Participated in the design/ construction of equipment with suppliers
- Integrated different equipment and conveyors seamlessly
- Designed utilities: compressed air, hot/cold water, steam, inert gases
- Planned and managed the work of the various trades
- Ensured the conformity of the installations
- Started the equipment
- Trained the operators and resolved the punchlist
Major challenges & solutions provided
Implantation of a new line in a tight space
We used 3D to visualize the layout of the line and we used the available space in height.
Tight deadlines for rapid market launch
We have chosen strategic partners who are reliable and able to deliver quickly.
Managing several trades i.e 50 people, in a dynamic and production environment
Frequent communication and meetings have made it possible to closely monitor operations and adjust to situations with plan B.