Two business units of Crown Holdings Inc. (crowncork.com), CROWN Beverage Packaging North America and CROWN Bevcan Europe and Middle East, have earned three prestigious awards at the 2017 International Metal Decorators Association (IMDA) Annual Conference. The theme of ‘Innovation & Technology: Keeping us Competitive,’ represented a strong platform to feature Crown’s latest collaborative projects with craft brewers.

Crown’s first of two Excellence in Quality Awards was achieved in the Craft Cans category for its work with London Beer Factory’s (LBF) Paxton IPA. Crown’s European Design Studio played a pivotal role in reprographics and design development for the package. The brewery was also the first in the United Kingdom to adopt Crown’s 360 End®, recognizing that the ability to remove the end in its entirety would fully release the beer’s aromas and enhance consumer enjoyment.

“We are honored to have won three prestigious awards at the IMDA annual conference,” comments Matt Twiss, marketing & business development director, CROWN Bevcan Europe and Middle East. “Our dedicated studios, staffed with a deep team of experts, ensure every customer is presented with a finished product that exceeds expectations at every level. These awards recognize the consistency and quality of Crown’s design and decoration capabilities across its global business units.”  

CROWN Beverage Packaging North America’s work with Brickstone Brewery’s McCormick Place Everyday Ale was also honored with an Excellence in Quality Award. Crown partnered with Brickstone, whose brewery in Bourbonnais, IL is close to the Company’s Kankakee plant, to deliver a 12-ounce standard diameter can for its Session Ale. The ale was created in partnership with McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, and was launched during The Chicago Auto Show earlier this year.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by the IMDA. It is a testament to the daily efforts of our graphics department and the employees of the Kankakee plant,” states Ron Skotleski, director of marketing, North America, CROWN Beverage Packaging. “The complex and unique graphics associated with the craft beer market allow Crown to showcase what we do best.”

CROWN Beverage Packaging North America also took home an Excellence in Quality Award in Digital Printing for a 16-ounce package prototype developed using Pipeworks Brewing Company’s (Chicago, IL) Passion Fruit Guppy India Session Ale. The can’s artwork was designed by Jason Burke at Ink & Lead Designs.