In-line operation at Pepsi/Gatorade plant is to produce
650 million bottles a year.
Amcor Rigid Plastics(www.amcor.com) held a grand opening
for its new on-site bottle manufacturing operation at PepsiCo’s Gatorade
production facility in Mountain Top, PA. The new in-line operation is expected
to produce approximately 650 million hot fillable polyethylene terephthalate
(PET) bottles annually.
“We’re excited about establishing this on-site operation
because it expands our relationship with PepsiCo and gives us an opportunity to
better serve a key strategic customer,” says Larry Weber, vice president and
general manager of Amcor Rigid Plastics’ North American Beverage Group.
Previously, the Mountain Top Gatorade facility had purchased hot fill PET
containers from merchant suppliers.
On-site bottle manufacturing is a highly efficient and
sustainable business model for beverage makers, according to Weber. Beverage
companies like PepsiCo can gain major sustainability benefits and eliminate
expenses associated with shipping, including unnecessary handling, secondary
packaging, and freight costs. Amcor has strong expertise in running on-site
manufacturing operations with seven similar hot fill facilities located at
beverage filling plants throughout the U.S.
Amcor received strong backing and financial support from
state and local agencies including approximately $100,000 in grants for site
development and employee training.
