Acquisition Further Expands North American Beverage Packaging Capabilities

ST. LOUIS, August 8, 2023 – Global packaging leader TricorBraun announced today that it has acquired CanSource, a leading provider of can packaging and related services. The acquisition expands TricorBraun’s beverage packaging capabilities and strengthens its position in the North American beverage packaging market.

“Our acquisition of CanSource—a company known for exceptional quality, hands-on service, and reliability—enables us to provide beverage customers across North America with expanded offerings and services, and more sustainable packaging options,” said Brett Binkowski, president, North America, TricorBraun. “We welcome the CanSource team to the TricorBraun family, and we look forward to investing in the company’s continued growth.” 

Founded in 2011, CanSource is a leading provider of brite, shrink-sleeved, and printed cans to the craft beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverage markets. The company operates from four locations across the US, including headquarters near Denver, CO. 

“Partnering with TricorBraun is a significant milestone in CanSource’s history,” said Paige Sopcic, CEO, CanSource. “We’ve admired and respected TricorBraun for years and are excited to join a team who shares the same dedication to quality and customer service, while providing multiple opportunities for our expansion and growth.”

All CanSource team members will remain with TricorBraun and continue to work out of the company’s existing locations. CanSource now operates as CanSource, a TricorBraun company.

Since its founding, TricorBraun has partnered with management teams to successfully acquire and further accelerate growth for 40 packaging companies globally.

Financial details were not disclosed.

About CanSource
With more than a decade of experience, CanSource is your trusted supply partner for cans. We supply sleeved, brite, and printed cans and have an all-star team dedicated to customer service. We leverage a national footprint to dependably provide quick lead times and high on-time delivery.

About TricorBraun
Founded in 1902, TricorBraun is a global packaging leader. We provide innovative solutions across a wide array of customer end markets in plastic, glass, and aluminum containers, closures, dispensers, tubes, and flexibles. Our award-winning Design & Engineering Center provides forward-thinking design, driven by consumer insight and creative solutions. TricorBraun is comprised of more than 2,000 packaging professionals operating from more than 100 locations across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Have a bet on the next big trend in the craft beverage world? One of the best events to see into the future is BevNET’s New Beverage Showdown, a competition hosted each year among emerging (and delicious!) beverage brands. Some of the past winners have signaled rising tides behind kombucha, coffee and CBD well before we saw these products en masse at our local grocery stores.

The final twelve semifinalists were announced and the pitch competition will begin June 14th. Our CanSource team completed (very unofficial) reconnaissance into these semifinalists and here is what we found:

• Cans are in. About 85% of the beverage semifinalists are in cans. Beverage cans remain the dominate packaging choice for new product introductions.
• 12oz sleek cans are the dominate packaging selection with about 50% of the products packaged in this format. Check out some of the factors that beverage brands consider when selecting their can size. We saw one semifinalist in 7.5oz sleek cans too…will that help them stand out in the end?
• Better-for-you demand is here to stay. From a clean energy drink to fermented adaptogenic plants and protein-infused water, the diversity of this category continues to impress.
• Non-alcoholic canned cocktails (RTDs) get tastier and tastier. Parch stands alone as the only product in a 250ml / 8.4oz can. And you can buy this on Amazon!

We wish all of the the semifinalists the best of luck…and the judges who have a very challenging job ahead of them! For any new beverage entrepreneurs wondering how to get their product in cans, email us at Robbie.Renfro@cansource.com.

https://cansource.com/the-showdown-is-here/

The CanSource team talked to hundreds of craft breweries at the Craft Brewer’s Conference in Nashville this week and the most common question at our booth was – what are your beverage can minimums?

For the last decade, we have provided just-enough aluminum cans to beverage producers across the U.S. just-in-time. For new customers, here is a quick breakdown of our minimum order quantities (MOQs) across all beverage can decoration options:

• Sleeved can MOQ – 1/2 pallet or around 4,000 12oz cans
• Brite / blank aluminum can MOQ – 1/2 pallet or around 4,000 12oz cans
• Printed can MOQ – 1 full truckload or around 204,000 12oz cans

Our services are designed to support the diverse needs of craft beverage producers. Does your brewery need pallets at a custom height? Full truckloads of brite cans? Warehousing for printed cans? We can help.

Reach out today to get a fast answer on any of your can needs – Robert.Renfro@cansource.com.

Since the dawn of portable beverages, people have debated if bottles or cans are better. Whether touting taste and temperature or arguing aroma and aesthetics, the ongoing container controversy has left a trail of broken bottles and crushed cans in its wake.

It’s time to end the dispute once and for all using science… and our experience specializing in custom packaging for the craft beverage industry. (Spoiler alert: the answer is cans!)

Flavor Savers

When it comes to beer, it’s all about staving off the skunk! Allowing light, oxygen, and heat to combine in the container leaves behind a very stale and flat-tasting brew. Since cans let in zero light, the beer is kept in the dark, keeping it delicious!

Clear, green, and blue bottles are no match for UV rays but what about darker bottles? While true that amber bottles block out about 95% of light, they still let in the air. Cans, on the other hand, form an airtight seal that keeps beer fresh, crisp, and flavorful.

Portable Parties

Whether you are hiking, camping, or going to the beach, many outdoor activities are better with a beverage, yet none do well with broken glass. Cans are far more portable than bottles and weigh two pounds less per six-pack. Cans are also easier to pack in a cooler, cool faster, stay cooler longer and are the preferred containers of concert venues and sports stadiums because they’re safe.

Craft beverage makers have steadily been making the move to cans to control costs. Because they’re light and stackable, cans yield lower shipping charges even at a higher volume. Nearly three times as many 12-ounce cans can be shipped in a standard semi-trailer vs.12-ounce glass bottles, significantly lowering the cost of fuel. Plus, cans don’t break in transport.

46.9% of craft beer now represented by cans

Canning is Caring

Caring for the environment comes in a can! Because aluminum is infinitely recyclable, close to 70% of all cans are recycled (compared to only 34% of glass bottles).

Moreover, 75% of all the aluminum ever produced is still in use today. But the benefits of recycling aluminum don’t stop there:

Recycling cans saves enough energy to power more than 4.4 million homes for an entire year.

Every year, the aluminum industry pays out close to a billion dollars for recycled cans collected during community drives. In turn, this money supports organizations like Habitat for Humanity, The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, local schools, and religious programs.

Beverage Crafters

At CanSource, we pair your beverage with the perfect aluminum cans for their consumption. And since cans provide 360-degree coverage, they make the perfect canvas to showcase your brand. With expert support and end-to-end packaging solutions, we ensure the best presentation and delivery of your product. Contact us to learn more.

https://cansource.com/cans-are-better-than-bottles-for-craft-beverages/

When the coronavirus shutdown kicked into high gear, taps at restaurants were turned off and people increased consumption of their favorite indulgences at home. That, coupled with the growing consensus that cans are better than bottles for craft beverages, contributed to a nationwide aluminum can shortage. And while true that the smaller brewers are hardest hit by the deficit — big players like Pepsi and Coke take priority with manufacturers – we’re pulling out all the stops to continue canning for our clients! In this article, learn how craft beverage makers are overcoming the can shortage, with CanSource.

The Can Crunch

Toilet paper wasn’t the only thing nervous consumers started hoarding when the COVID crisis hit. Canned food began flying off the shelves, as did beverages, (because it’s much easier to carry out a case of cans than a bag of bottles!) Add this exponential purchasing acceleration, to an already increasing trend toward canned beverage consumption, and it’s easy to see why we’re experiencing a shortage of cans.

[The] can share of the U.S. beer and hard-seltzer market rose from 60% to 67% in the first quarter.

National Beer Wholesalers

12 oz Can’ts

While demand for all sizes has steadily risen over the years, the 12 oz can remains king. As such, the standard size can is the most difficult to buy in the midst of a shortage, a trend expected to continue into next year. The closure of bars and restaurants, in late March, is cited for fueling the shortfall of cans — as demand for kegs plummeted and alcohol-to-go was permitted by law. Currently, the lack of cans is significant enough to prompt Coca-Cola into warning that some of its lesser sold brands — Pibb, Cherry Coke Zero – may, soon, be hard to find in cans.

Cans for Keeps

Some of the bigger companies predicted an uptick in can sales and started stockpiling aluminum before the pandemic hit, and don’t expect them to let up when it’s over. Food and beverage companies are betting on the trend remaining. While breweries are gearing up to massively increase production over the next 12 months, American can manufacturers are opening new plants, aiming to produce 12 billion more cans by the end of 2021.

How CanSource is Helping

Ball’s in Our Court

Like we said earlier, in the midst of a can shortage, beverage giants get priority service. As you might imagine, that doesn’t leave a lot of inventory for microbreweries and canned wine crafters. CanSource has a close relationship with Ball Corporation, however, so we have a reliable (though not infinite) supply of packaging for your craft beverage.

• Here’s a little information about Ball Corp.:
• Largest producer of aluminum cans in the world
• Thirteen production plants and five research and development facilities in Europe
• 18,700 employees across five continents with plants in Germany, France, Poland, Russia, and the UK
• Noteworthy participant in the global 2 Piece Cans Market arena

Ball Corp is revered for its automated processes, top-notch employees, and ability to keep up with market demand. CanSource has you covered!

Cans From Other Lands

As the can shortage continues, the Can Makers Institute reports that, this year, manufacturers are expected to import more than two billion cans from overseas. Though we’ve not yet made a purchase, CanSource is diligently researching international can suppliers to ensure our clients keep on crafting in cans that meet their specifications and quality standards!

Can Do (Over)

One of the best things about cans is that they can be easily relabeled! If you have extra printed cans in your inventory, we can re-sleeve those cans with whatever is currently flying off the shelves!

Who We Serve

It’s on the homepage of our website, but it’s worth repeating here:

We work with craft beverage makers of all sizes and types. From makers of craft beers, wines, and RTDs, to artisans of non-alcoholic craft beverages like sparkling water, cold brews, and kombucha. CanSource is the leading supplier of aluminum cans with shrink sleeve labels in the U.S., specializing in custom packaging for the craft beverage industry. With four facilities strategically located across the U.S., we’re able to serve customers from around the country with efficiency and speed.

We look forward to working with you! Contact us for more information.

https://cansource.com/how-craft-beverage-makers-are-overcoming-the-can-shortage/

There’s not much a craft beverage can’t do. Filled with flavorful, exotic — often medicinal — ingredients, artisanal brews do everything from revving you up for the game to chilling you out on the beach. As such, fans of these popular drinks set high standards for what’s on the inside, and the outside, of their favorite beverages.

Recently, we took a look at the top trends across the beverage industry. Fortunately, though the trends are diverse and evolving, aluminum cans are versatile and up to the task! Check out 3 ways cans are crushing the top beverage trends.

#1 – Carry-on Convenience

Whether you’re sitting by the pool, hiking up a trail, rockin’ at a virtual show, or reading on the balcony – you want your best beverage by your side. And nowadays, drinks aren’t just about quenching your thirst. Certain libations are ingrained in our lifestyle and our culture, often carried as a sign of status or beliefs.

As premiumization rises in beverage trends, more people are toting cold brew coffees and cold-pressed juices to offices and gyms. Meal replacements accompany busy professionals on sales calls and working lunches.

And what outdoor celebration would be complete without beer, wine, and spirits? We may (thankfully) never know as canned RTDs are all the rage at events ranging from backyard barbecues to wilderness infused weddings. When it comes to convenience, cans provide lightweight, portable, unbreakable vessels of fits in your hand – drinks on demand!

#2 – Perfect Packaging

Making an impact with your brand comes down to the packaging, as it’s often a consumer’s initial introduction to your beverage. Colorful, eye-catching, digital graphics announce to the world what awaits them inside. Luckily, shrink sleeve cans are an easy and attainable way to stand out in a sea of rival sodas, seltzers, and spirits.

And for vino lovers, canned wine couldn’t come quick enough! According to Nielsen, canned wine sales grew nearly 80% through 2019.

#3 – Recycling Rules

For many people, enjoying a product is about more than what it can do for them right now. Conscientious consumers understand the importance of preserving our planet through the use of sustainable materials. Since beverages come in a variety of packages, let’s take a look at how each is broken down:

• Aluminum – 100% recyclable – more than 75% of the world’s aluminum is still in use today.
• Glass – 100% recyclable (minus the caps and lids) – yet less than 33% of glass is recycled in the U.S.
• Plastic – not all plastic is recyclable. Plastic can only be recycled once. 79% of the world’s plastic winds up in landfills or littered throughout the environment.

For those concerned about lessening their carbon footprint, cans are the go-to craft beverage container. (Psst. Here are a few more reasons cans are better than bottles.)

CanSource

CanSource is the leading shrink sleever for aluminum cans, specializing in custom packaging for the craft beverage industry. And while we’re happy providing a product that’s topping the beverage trends, what we care most about is you.

We honor your craft by taking extra special care in sleeving your canned beverages. We make sure that what goes on the outside of your cans reflects the quality and craftsmanship of what goes inside. With CanSource, you’ll receive quick turn-around, high-quality digital printing, premium materials, small or large batch runs, and a team dedicated to your success. Contact us to learn more.

https://cansource.com/3-ways-cans-are-crushing-the-top-beverage-trends/

Many craft breweries and craft beverage companies are stressed over cash management. Even companies that maintain pristine control over cash flow drivers, like capital equipment expenses and labor may be missing the mark when it comes to inventory. Although taking advantage of product volume discounts seems like a wise financial decision, it’s a waste of resources if the supply expires on the warehouse floor…it can also deprive your business of cash at just the wrong time. At CanSource, our low minimum orders ensure right-size batch runs for your beverages and continued cash flow for your company.

Crafting Through COVID (and beyond)

At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, 46% of craft breweries predicted they would be forced to close. Fortunately, a lot of companies avoided this fate by adjusting their business models to maintain financial strength. Many that relied on tap rooms full of customers to keep the cash flowing, switched to curbside pickup and delivery. Others began canning their crafts and partnered with retailers to keep sales afloat. The one thing all surviving breweries have in common, though, is a reduction in wasted resources.

Once the threat of COVID-19 is gone, the lessons learned shouldn’t be forgotten. Efficiently managing your company’s cash flow comes down to properly protecting your resources. Running with a lean inventory – enough product on hand to fulfill current and near-future orders – is the best way to avoid tying up your cash in pallets stuffed in storage.

Unused inventory costs 25-30% more than its actual value.

Just-in-Time Inventory Management

The JIT strategy involves ordering and storing just enough inventory for sales, on an as-needed basis. The JIT process is quite effective at improving ROI and reducing overhead by:

• Lowering inventory storage costs
• Increasing efficiency
• Reducing waste

There are many benefits to using JIT including eliminating the need for an enormous warehouse to store pallets of products. Plus, companies that like to switch out products quickly, relish the ability to test at smaller volumes without committing to full-fledged shipments.

The CanSource Advantage

CanSource is your just in time can sleeve partner! We understand that storing inventory raises costs and uses resources that provide no value to your customers. That’s why we offer small batch runs and low minimum orders. Not only a great solution for seasonal, experimental, or specialty batches – but a smart way to manage your company’s most essential resource – cash.

If you’re ready to give just-in-time inventory management a try, feel confident you’re partnering with a company that fills your can-needs from four facilities strategically located across the U.S. Our team of can sleeving experts looks forward to providing you with exceptional service. Contact us to learn more.

In our last post, we smashed the cans vs. bottles debate out of the park (where they only allow cans anyway,) scoring a homerun for aluminum as the best container for craft beverages. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to choose the right can – because yes – size (as well as style and can supplier) does matter!

Size Matters

Almost as vast as the ingredients in craft beverages, is the assortment of cans to contain them. Choosing the right can for your batch typically depends on the serving size, target customer, brand identity, and industry standards and styles. Here are just a few examples:

• Nip – 8.4 oz aka 250 ml – compact and easy to transport, often the size used for energy drinks, coffee shots, and wine.
• Original – 12 oz – holds the standard serving size of beer…or coffee, soda, tea, etc. The classic choice.
• Tallboy – 16 oz – holds the same as a standard pint glass. Huge in the craft beer industry for showcasing interesting products. Often sold in packs of four.
• Stovepipe – 19.2 oz – the fastest-growing size in packaged retail sales, as it allows crafters to sell their products as single-servings in places like stadiums and convenience stores.
• Crowler – 32 oz – holds the same as a standard growler but is specially sealed for travel and to-go sales. Greatly extends the shelf-life of the beverage.

Cans also come in different styles:

• Standard – stout and compact, the standard can is the typical container of beer and soda. Comes in a variety of sizes.
• Slim – thinner than the standard can, slim cans are often used for smaller serving sizes and loved by healthy-for-you brands.
• Sleek – trendy and modern, often used by brands to stand out on the shelves or differentiate unique products, like sparkling water and canned cocktails.

With 11 can sizes to choose from, CanSource has you covered!

Brand Stand

The world of craft beverages has exploded over the past few years giving imbibers a litany of libations from which to choose. These never-ending selections, coupled with consumer ad-fatigue, means brands must market an experience to stand out from the competition. What’s your brand’s story? Who drinks your product? How does your beverage make the drinker feel?

Sleeved cans provide a 360-degree canvas for conveying your message, which means the crafting of your can is equally as important as the beverage inside. Use the can to solidify customer loyalty by brandishing an easily identifiable look and signature elements, including:

• Can size
• Can shape
• An iconic logo
• Distinctive marks, icons, and symbols
• Unique fonts
• Eye-catching colors
• Brand architecture

Supplier Demands

Being successful in the craft beverage industry means, not only, matching your beverage and brand to the right can – but matching your business with the right can supplier!

At CanSource, we started out as mobile canners, so we understand the craft beverage industry from the inside out. Plus, we manage the can supply chain so you don’t have to. With low minimum orders, high-quality digital printing, premium materials, and a strong relationship with Ball, we serve customers from around the country with efficiency and quality. Contact us to learn more!

https://cansource.com/how-to-choose-the-right-can-for-your-craft-beverage/