Glass packaging maker, O-I, has partnered with Champion Brewery, DB Breweries (DB), to launch New Zealand’s first application of internal embossing.

O-I’s new and unique internal embossing technology enables grooves on the inside of glass bottles, creating distinctive decoration while providing a smooth exterior for easy labelling.

DB is using the internal embossing design called Vortex on the brewer’s Tui Blond Lager bottle from this month. Globally launched with Miller Lite beer in the US last year, the Vortex bottle features distinctive grooves in the bottle’s neck and was credited with improving Miller Lite’s bottle sales by 6%, a significant margin in the highly competitive beer industry.

The Tui Blond Lager Vortex bottle is being manufactured at O-I’s Auckland plant and a range of internal embossing designs are available to customers wishing to explore this unique branding opportunity.

"The launch of this unique bottle technology demonstrates the eagerness of companies to embrace innovative ideas to create stand-out packaging in competitive markets,” said O-I New Zealand’s general manager, Stephen Bramlage.

“Not only was DB first to introduce black glass to the New Zealand market with its popular Monteith’s Single Source brand last year, it is the first company in the country to use internal embossing. This once again underlines DB’s leading approach to innovative packaging.”

Tui brand manager, William Papesch said: “Tui Blond Lager is a successful addition to the Tui brand and has extended the brand’s footprint remarkably over the past couple of years. We have revitalised the brand’s appearance and the innovative new Vortex bottle will further evolve the Tui Blond Lager brand into a more relevant and contemporary offering.”

To support the launch, Tui has developed a new television commercial (TVC) highlighting Tui Blond Lager’s innovation and awards.

“The TVC is a continuation of the brewing legends campaign. The commercial sees the boys at the Mangatainoka brewery getting a detailed explanation of the new Vortex bottle from a female brewer. Just like the bottle, this TVC is going to be a massive talking point.”

About O-I
Owens-Illinois, Inc. (NYSE: OI) is the world’s largest glass container manufacturer and preferred partner for many of the world’s leading food and beverage brands. With revenues of $6.6 billion in 2010, the company is headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio, USA, and employs more than 24,000 people at 81 plants in 21 countries. O-I delivers safe, effective and sustainable glass packaging solutions to a growing global marketplace. For more information, visit www.o-i.com or www.glassislife.com.

September 2011