Thwaites was the first brewery in the UK to move to 202ends,demonstrating a firm and long-term commitment to contract canning. A high speed line (800cans per minute) handles 500ml, 440ml, 330ml and 355ml.A state- of- the- art liquid nitrogen injection unit post filler and pre-seamer means the choice of carbon dioxide or nitrogen with nitrogen flush for all ales, lagers, ciders etc. The equipment makes it possible for Thwaites to bring in beer of high gravity with subsequent dilution and carbonation.
The plant is able to cope with any length from a minimum of 60 barrels to an order running to multi-thousands. As far as batches, Thwaites has different bright beer tanks and can cope with all sizes.
When it comes to packaging, cans can be combined into fours, sixes or eights. This can be done at the top or middle of the can dependant on the stability required. An advertising panel can also be added at this stage, large panel mid-cone.
Cans are then packed into tray with shrink (24 packs). Thwaites have registered printed shrink capability.
As for warehousing, there is a large on-site facility able to accommodate finished products and packaging materials.