Page 17 - Grapevine May-June 2020

In The Winery

that’s ok. We encourage them to ask questions
and make comparisons along the way. In the end,
it’s all about the customer finding what works for
them and that they feel comfortable and confi-
dent in their decision. DK Advanced Technologies
is well-positioned to serve any needs or trends
that customers want or need to follow. The open
and modular design of our machines makes them
extremely adaptable and versatile, whether it’s a
non-carbonated or carbonated beverage, crown
capping, corking, counter-pressure filling, bottling,
canning, etc. We like to say that versatility might
indeed be our middle name.”

What To Consider When
Looking To Buy Or Upgrade

“If you’re still comfortably filling ten to twelve
bottles a minute, you’re fine using a manual fill-
er,” said Dave Scarborough, Midwest Regional
Sales for E-Pak Machinery Inc. “But once a bottling
operation moves to the 40-50 bottles per minute
range, it’s generally time to start thinking about at
least running a semi-automated process. Overflow
fillers with bottle cleaners are popular in wine pro-
duction. You typically see them made with up to do before committing to the purchase of a bottle
twelve filler heads, and they’re compatible with filling machine for your winery,” said Scarborough.
traditional corking, screw cap and T-cork capping “Check references and reviews for the equipment,
machines and pressure-sensitive labeling equip- and then perform an actual outreach on an indus-
ment. We customize bottling lines according to a try level, following up on those references to get
client’s production runs, targets and goals along answers to any specific questions you may have.
with batch sizes, bottle sizes, and anything else that Ask current users of the bottle filler in question
is unique to their specific business model. Our wine what they like and dislike about the machine. Look
filling systems include everything from portable at the track record of the machine and the compa-
units to completely automated inline systems.” ny. Check into their service department. Ask ques-
tions regarding parts availability and the availability
Bottle filling technology likely will not dramatically of quality service professionals who are properly
change in the near future. Most expected improve- trained to diagnose problems and perform required
ments will revolve around equipment performance repairs.”
or the actual moving parts like filler valves. Client
feedback and industry trends drive change, like “Most importantly,” said Scarborough, “Always
the movement towards canned wines or more look at the potential of the machine or system you
widespread packaging of box wines. Flexibility and want to purchase versus the amount of time, train-
adaptability are critical when looking to purchase or ing and energy that will be needed to use, config-
upgrade bottling equipment, and there are things ure, breakdown, clean and maintain that system on
you can do on a personal level to make sure your a daily basis. Doing this sometimes demonstrates
purchase is a pleasant experience. that what you thought was a great deal turns out
to be not so great after all.”
“There are simple things that you can and should

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