KHS has highlighted the success of its collaboration with Carlsberg Bulgaria, showcasing the efficiency of its canning technology at the Blagoevgrad facility. 

Installed in January 2023, the system can process up to 40,000 cans per hour for 500 ml and 550 ml sizes or 60,000 cans per hour for 330 ml sizes, eliminating the need for Carlsberg to import beverages.

The Blagoevgrad facility is responsible for canning two local beer brands, Pirinsko and Shumensko, along with several Danish brands such as Tuborg, Žatecký, Budweiser, Erdinger, Grimbergen, and Somersby cider.

According to KHS, the southwest Bulgaria plant achieved an overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) score of 76%, a key metric used to assess manufacturing productivity by measuring the percentage of productive operational time.

Metodi Stoyanov, the integrated supply chain director at Blagoevgrad, emphasized how KHS technology has improved production speed and efficiency.

“We need far less room for can filling than we do for filling PET and glass bottles. Given the limited space available to us, that’s one advantage. Moreover, the KHS machines are less complex, making them easier to operate and maintain. Production thus runs smoothly and without any issues,” says Stoyanov.