en.Wedoany.com Report on Mar 23rd, Coleus Packaging, located in the Alrode area of Johannesburg, South Africa, showcased the results of its approximately R200 million (South African Rand) investment in upgrading factory equipment on March 20. As a manufacturer specializing in crown closures and metal packaging, this investment aims to enhance production efficiency and product quality.
During the factory tour, the company displayed a new coating and sizing production line manufactured by SACMI, as well as an advanced stamping and lining machine. Ian Victor, Managing Director of Coleus Packaging, pointed out that this new equipment replaces the original two production lines, enabling higher operational efficiency while maintaining the same output.
Victor further revealed that the company plans to install a new printing press next month and will gradually introduce more equipment based on market demand. He emphasized that this is part of the company's regular equipment renewal strategy to ensure the modernization and competitiveness of the production lines.
In 2024, Coleus Packaging had already installed a R30 million crown cork production machine. Victor stated that these investments align with the company's new positioning as a member of the Guala Closures Group. Guala Closures is a multinational packaging closures company with a significant presence in the global aluminum packaging sector.
Guala Closures indirectly holds a 75% stake in Coleus Packaging through its acquisition of the Greek crown cork manufacturer Astir Vitogiannis. The group regularly conducts audits and inspections across its 37 factories worldwide to maintain high operational standards.
Victor mentioned that although Coleus Packaging only joined the Guala Group in 2024, it has already received the group's Best Factory award. During a strategic meeting in early March, the company's management and team leaders discussed audit results and measures to improve performance.
"We are not the best yet, but we are striving to become the best crown manufacturer in the world," Victor said, adding, "These achievements would not be possible without the dedication of our employees."
Stelios Vitogiannis, CEO of Guala Closures Astir, also stated: "The daily efforts and consistency of our team bring value to the company and its growth."
Furthermore, the Guala Group recently acquired India's Oriental Containers and Kenya's Metal Crowns, and established a new factory in Nigeria. Coleus Packaging is supplying products to Ghana on behalf of the group and plans to expand its market coverage in South Africa and other African countries.
Claudette Naudé, Safety, Health, Environment, and Risk Manager at Coleus Packaging, added that the company recently renewed several International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certificates, including ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety management, and is pursuing ISO 50001 certification for energy management. The company has also obtained food safety certification according to the Food Safety and Compliance Alliance (FSCA) standard.
