Crown expands in China and Malaysia

Leading can maker Crown is continuing its expansion in China after announcing plans to build a new two-piece beverage can plant in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Province in Southern China. With a population of 6.6 million, this prefectural city is strategically located, bordering Guangdong to the East and Yunnan to the West.

CrownLeading can maker Crown is continuing its expansion in China after announcing plans to build a new two-piece beverage can plant in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Province in Southern China.

With a population of 6.6 million, this prefectural city is strategically located, bordering Guangdong to the East and Yunnan to the West.

The new plant is expected to be operational by the end of the second quarter in 2013 and have an initial annual production capacity of 750 million two-piece 33cl aluminium beverage cans. The plant will also have the ability to produce 50cl beverage cans.

“We are seeing the shift to metal packaging increase as brand owners seek to expand the reach of what used to be ‘local’ products across different provinces,” says Jozef Salaerts, president of Crown Asia-Pacific. “The addition of the Nanning facility effectively expands our geographic footprint and allows us to better serve our customers.”

Crown currently has five beverage can plants operating in China. The company expects to begin production in Putian (Fujian Province), Ziyang (Sichuan Province) and Heshan (Guangdong Province) in 2012. By mid-2013, plants in Changchun (Jilin Province), XinXiang (Henan Province) and Nanning will begin production, giving Crown 11 plants across China.

Malaysia
The company has also announced plans to install a second two-piece beverage can line in its existing facility in Bangi, Malaysia. The new line is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2013 and have an initial annual production capacity of approximately 650 million two-piece 33cl beverage cans. It will also be able to produce smaller diameter cans. The addition will bring the total capacity of the plant to more than 1.2 billion cans.

“Crown has been present in Malaysia for more than 30 years to service both local and international customers,” adds Salaerts. “Demand for beverage cans in the country continues to increase, thanks to the many benefits it brings to brand owners and consumers alike. The additional capacity in our Bangi facility will ensure our customers are ready to meet that demand.”

For more news go to www.cantechonline.com