Crown closures and metal packaging manufacturer Coleus Packaging on March 20 showcased the R200-million investments it has made in its Alrode, Johannesburg, factory.

The company showcased the new coater and resizer line, as well as a new punching and lining machine, manufactured by industrial plant equipment manufacturer SACMI. The single punching and lining machine replaced two lines at the factory. It has the same output, but greater efficiency, said Coleus Packaging MD Ian Victor during the tour of the factory.

Coleus would also install a new printer machine during the coming month, and add more equipment over time, as the need was identified, he added.

The company had installed a R30-million crown cork production machine in 2024 and the new machines showcased on March 20 are part of its strategy of regularly replacing its equipment to ensure efficiency and quality, he told the company's customers, partners and suppliers.

This strategic focus also fits its new role as one of the companies under packaging closure multinational group Guala Closures, which is the largest aluminium packaging manufacturing company in the world.

Guala Closures, which acquired Greece-based crown corks manufacturer Astir Vitogiannis that in turn owns 75% of Coleus Packaging, regularly conducts inspections and audits of its 37 factories around the world.

Coleus won the award for the best factory in the Guala group, despite having only joined the group in 2024, Victor said.

Additionally, during a strategy session with team leaders, production and financial managers held during the first week of March, these audit results were shared and what was required to improve performance was discussed.

“We are not the best yet, but we are striving to be the best crown manufacturer in the world,” he said, adding that the company's accomplishments would not have been possible without its dedicated employees.

“The daily efforts and consistency of our teams bring value to the company and our growth,” said Guala Closures Astir CEO Stelios Vitogiannis.

Meanwhile, Guala has also acquired packaging producer Oriental Containers, in India, and Metal Crowns, in Kenya, and has opened a factory in Nigeria, noted Victor.

Additionally, Coleus is supplying into Ghana on behalf of the group, and is working to grow its supply into Southern African countries and beyond, he said.

Coleus Packaging safety, health, environment and risk manager Claudette Naudé added that the company had recently been reissued with a range of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) certificates, including the ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management standard certificate, and was working towards attaining a certificate for ISO 50001, which relates to energy management best practices.

Coleus has also been certified as food safe under the Food Safety and Compliance Alliance set of standards, she added.