“Hundreds of millions” of aluminum cans could be available annually to craft brewers starting this fall, via G3 Enterprises, a Modesto, California-based beverage logistics and supply company.
Can manufacturer KJ Can USA has committed to supplying millions of both printed and brite cans to G3 each year, following the construction of a new 200,000 sq. ft. can plant in Nashua, New Hampshire, G3 announced today.
The plant is expected to be fully operational in September. The facility and partnership with G3 is being created with regional craft breweries in mind, addressing the needs of bev-alc producers who may not meet order minimums or lead times of global can manufacturers and allowing brewers to “focus on their craft and their brands,” Richard Armstrong, senior director for G3 Can Division, said in a press release.
“Our new plant is well-positioned, both with its location and timing, to satisfy the aluminum needs of brewers throughout New England and the Northeast region,” Alvin Widitora, GM of KJ Can USA, said in the release. “We have seen first-hand the expertise G3 brings in this space, and we are excited to now be partnering with them as our commercial representative in the U.S. and Canadian market.”
Pre-orders for cans through G3 are now open, with a minimum order requirement of one pallet for brite cans, and one truckload (204,000 cans) for printed cans. G3 also teased “additional expansion” of KJ Can USA “in the near future.”
The news comes nearly two months after new order requirements from Ball Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of aluminum beverage cans, went into effect. Ball announced in November that it would be increasing its printed can order minimum for non-contracted customers from one truckload to five (more than one million cans). The increase was made as can demand outstripped supply, and Ball oversold can inventory for 2022.
Ball’s changes were initially set to take effect January 1, but were pushed to March 1, following conversations with the Brewers Association (BA) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR).
Ball also ceased warehousing services, and notified customers that it would be increasing pricing by 28% for printed 12 oz. cans and 19.5% for printed 16 oz. cans.
In the Nashua area, G3 will provide local warehousing for can orders. The company declined to share how much warehousing space would be available, or how much money was being invested in the new can facility.