A dedication to quality keeps Twinpak leading the industry.
Amcor Twinpak is a Canadian leader in plastic, paper and composite material packaging. Over the years; they have demonstrated a sustained ability to successfully meet the ever changing demands of their North American customers. Their growth and diversification over the past years can be attributed to a relentless commitment to quality, service, innovation, and to the leadership role it has assumed in dealing with packaging related environmental issues.
Regardless of how one measures success in the packaging industry, Twinpak is a leader. The company employs some 1,100 Canadians at 17 manufacturing and distribution centers. Sheer diversity of product and technology rank Twinpak among the industry vanguard. The company possesses expertise in injection molding, stretch, blow molding, extrusion, thermo forming, paper and film covering, laminating, extrusion coating and printing. These technologies serve customers in the food, construction, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and beverage industries.
Although the company has diversified, they ultimately recognizes that their chief area of expertise lays in plastic packaging. A milestone in the company’s history was the 1980 introduction of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles to Canada. Today Twinpak is the country’s leading manufacturer of this high profile product, supplying a major portion of the soft drink industry.
The Calgary, Alberta operation is one of five PET manufacturing facilities in Canada and prides itself on state of the art equipment and uncompromising production efficiency. Larry Hopp is the maintenance Supervisor at Twinpak’s injection department and has been a strong promoter of Power Up products for many years.
Since being introduced to Power Up at a petroleum show, Larry has developed a total conviction for the use of Power Up products in the Twinpak operation.
“Our first experience with Power Up showed quickly that we needed to seriously consider this product in our operation. We bought 10 litres, enough to do a couple of gear boxes and within 4 hours there was a distinct amperage drop which continued for the next week. When we measured at the end of the week, we had dropped 45 amps which represents about a 30% reduction. I knew we must be reducing wear and friction and further more the product was paying dividends after 10 days. That was four years ago and since that time we have used Power Up in every area of lubrication in the plant. We started expanding product usage into more gear boxes, vacuum blowers and air pressure blowers and the results were the same,” says Larry.
Twinpak has always closely monitored the amperage draws and has an alarm system hooked in line that closely checks fluctuations. “After the addition of Power Up, we had to recalibrate all the alarms because of the reduction in draw,” comments Larry. “Today, we use Power Up products as the mainstay of our maintenance program. I personally feel that with cooler quieter performance Power Up is worth the investment. However, when I calculate the obvious reduction in wear with the energy savings we receive; I know we are saving lots of dollars. Our maintenance costs have been reduced dramatically. Since Power Up we have not had any unscheduled maintenance. We just clean and lubricate.”
Thixogrease has been a tremendous benefit to the operation as well; extending component life in high operating temperatures. “We have a load blower that had to be torn down every six months but now we just grease. I have never lost a bearing or had any down time in 3 years using Thixogrease. It is an unbelievable product, likewise on one of our extruder drive units a six inch ball bearing would go out every year and to date I haven’t replaced it. There is virtually no wear,” says Larry.
Larry’s commitment is so strong to Power Up that equipment will not be turned on until it has been properly lubricated with Power Up products. “These pieces of equipment are long term assets. Our extruders run up to $3,000,000 each and the dies are worth $1,000,000 a piece. Whatever I can do to reduce wear now, will absolutely prolong the life of the unit,” claims Larry.
Like all of the Twinpak companies Larry’s primary focus is on quality and he realizes that the assurance their customers have in their products and delivery comes down to the performance of their equipment. “One of the greatest benefits of Power Up products is the peace of mind knowing we will meet the challenge,” says Larry. “Yes, Power Up more than pays for itself with energy savings, maintenance savings and improved productivity, but our customers know they can count on us. And that is what makes management happy.”
At Twinpak, quality is a state of mind that is reflected in everything they do, from maintenance practices to end products. Twinpak does more than merely conform to standards in machines, processes or products, but reaches for ongoing improvements in every aspect of the business. Power Up is proud to be a small part of this continuing search for doing things better.