Big Rock Brewery Inc. (TSX: BR) (“Big Rock” or the “Corporation“) Inc is excited to announce it has acquired a QuikFlex™ 2100G3 (the “QuikFlex”) manufactured by Graphic Packaging International, one of the world’s leading providers of integrated solutions for packaging, materials, printing, and automation. 

The QuikFlex represents the latest technology in a flexible, high-speed, continuous-motion packer designed to package single tiers of cans in various configurations and features automatic loading. The QuikFlex will be integrated with the Corporation’s high-speed canning line that was upgraded during 2022.

David Kinder, Big Rock’s President and Chief Executive Officer noted “The acquisition of this equipment was critical to allow Big Rock to meet the tastes and preferences of our loyal customer base and demonstrates our commitment to re-invest in the company. This addition will also allow us to package products in formats that align with the needs of our co-packing partners and will reduce product movements and reliance on third party packers, making us more competitive.”

• The Corporation also announced some recent operational realignments: At the conclusion of its lease on July 31, 2024, Big Rock’s location in Vancouver will be permanently closed. Prior to the pandemic, this location, which was opened in 2015, featured a tap room, restaurant and micro-brewery. The tap room and restaurant were ultimately not re-opened and the leased space was larger than what is required to maintain production; and
• Effective June 17, 2024 Big Rock sold and closed its warehouse facility located in Edmonton, Alberta. Big Rock products will continue to be distributed to each of its customers via a partnership with Hy-Line Express Ltd, an Edmonton-based trucking company who will provide cross-docking functionality to Big Rock’s existing network of transportation partners.

Mr. Kinder commented: “Upon joining Big Rock I worked with our team to review the results of the Strategic Review conducted in 2023. It became evident that these changes were necessary to allow us to focus on our core business. We are cognizant of our long-standing commitment from our customers in British Columbia and in Central and Northern Alberta and look forward to continuing to meet their needs. Our brewing/production operations in BC will be relocated and we will continue to brew high-quality beverages, including Rock Creek Ciders, White Peaks teas and Tree Brewing Co. beers, that our customers have come to expect and appreciate. In Edmonton we saw the opportunity to streamline our operating costs and consolidate both our inventory and logistics staging operations with our Calgary location. Our customers will continue to be able to order directly, have product readily available and be serviced on a seamless basis with our existing network of last-kilometer logistic partners who will continue to deliver our product directly.

SOURCE: CNW / Big Rock Brewery Inc. (Press Release)
PHOTO CREDIT: Big Rock Brewery Inc.