
WaveGrip’s G1 automates Fernson’s craft beer can multi-packing
Canadian Packaging
Automation Sustainability Cans Coding & Labeling Fernson Brewing Co. WaveGripThe WaveGrip carriers are also providing sustainability benefits as well
WaveGrip’s G1 multi-packing applicator has helped craft brewers Fernson automate their packaging line for its canned craft beer thanks to its low cost of entry.
Fernson Brewing Co. opened in Sioux Falls, South Dakota just over four years ago and now operates across two locations; its brewery and taproom on the outskirts of town and a bustling and lively taproom & kitchen right in the heart of Sioux Falls.
The brewery offers five core beers of which the range includes a hoptastic IPA ‘Shy Giant’, ‘Lions Paw’ an easy drinking lager, and even ‘Curio’ a citrusy tart brew; these core beers stay on year-round alongside one-off specials, collaborations and season guests.
As well as being available on-site, a range of Fernson beers are available in cans and play a key part in the Brewery’s offer, allowing drinkers to enjoy Fernson’s beers at home.
“We are often asked why we chose cans for our beers rather than bottles, and there are two basic reasons. One is that cans are better at protecting each beer from light and oxygen, and two is because aluminum cans are lighter and easier to recycle than glass,” says Joel Thompson, CEO of Fernson Brewing Co.
“However, while cans are great for the beers and our drinkers, packaging them was proving to be very labor intensive, and many of the automated solutions we had seen were just too expensive for the level we need to run our machines at.”
Yet WaveGrip’s G1 applicator proved to change that for Fernson. With its low entry price, automating the packaging process became a reality and the G1 delivered savings in both the cost of labor and materials needed to pack its cans.
While the G1 applicator provides efficiency upgrades for the brewery, the WaveGrip carriers are also providing sustainability benefits as well. Weighing less than 4g for a standard six-pack and using less material than any other multi-packing solution, WaveGrip is the lightest carrier on the market. Additionally, all WaveGrip carriers are 100% recyclable and meet current US Packaging regulations by being photodegradable.
WaveGrip Managing Director, Aaron McIvor, comments: “We wanted the G1 to be an accessible solution for craft brewers, giving them an entryway into automated multi-packing of cans and allowing them to increase their production at an affordable cost. We are delighted to see that Fernson is already benefitting from reductions in labor and material to pack their beers, and look forward to these growing as their production scales up.”
“The WaveGrip G1 was the perfect choice for us and even running at just 30cpm we are seeing significant benefits, including giving the team more time to spend on what they love – the brewing!” concludes Joel.
Advertisement
Stories continue below

Machinery
Abbey Equipment Solutions
Alex E. Jones & Associates Ltd.
Harpak-Ulma Packaging, LLC
Heat and Control, Inc.
Nordson Canada Limited
Plan Automation Inc.
Reiser (Canada) Co.
Stock Packaging Canada
Syntegon
VC999 Canada Ltd.
Dependable Marking Systems Ltd.
Harlund Industries Ltd.
MapleJet Co.
Squid Ink Manufacturing
Videojet Technologies Inc.
Weber Marking Systems of Canada
Alex E. Jones & Associates Ltd.
CAPMATIC LTD
ESS Technologies
Galick Packaging Equipment Ltd.
Heat and Control, Inc.
Abbey Equipment Solutions
Alex E. Jones & Associates Ltd.
Delkor Systems Inc.
ESS Technologies
Nordson Canada Limited
Nuspark Inc.
Plan Automation Inc.
Propack Processing & Packaging Systems Inc.
Schubert Packaging Automation Inc.
Syntegon
ABB Inc.
Abbey Equipment Solutions
Alex E. Jones & Associates Ltd.
CAPMATIC LTD
Delkor Systems Inc.
ESS Technologies
Heat and Control, Inc.
IMPERIAL DADE CANADA INC.
Nuspark Inc.
Plan Automation Inc.
Propack Processing & Packaging Systems Inc.
Schubert Packaging Automation Inc.
Standard-Knapp
Syntegon
Abbey Equipment Solutions
Anritsu - Product Inspection & Detection
Bizerba Canada Inc.
Heat and Control, Inc.
Loma Systems, an ITW Company
Mettler-Toledo Canada
Sesotec Canada Ltd
Shawpak Systems Ltd.
VC999 Canada Ltd.
Dependable Marking Systems Ltd.
Harlund Industries Ltd.
MapleJet Co.
Squid Ink Manufacturing
Videojet Technologies Inc.
Weber Marking Systems of Canada
Abbey Equipment Solutions
Alex E. Jones & Associates Ltd.
Heat and Control, Inc.
Loma Systems, an ITW Company
Plan Automation Inc.
VC999 Canada Ltd.
Bosch Rexroth Canada Corp.
FlexLink Systems, Inc.
Galick Packaging Equipment Ltd.
Regal Rexnord
Ryson International
Weber Marking Systems of Canada
Abbey Equipment Solutions
Alex E. Jones & Associates Ltd.
CAPMATIC LTD
ESS Technologies
Galick Packaging Equipment Ltd.
Heat and Control, Inc.
Stock Packaging Canada
Syntegon
Anritsu - Product Inspection & Detection
Emerson
Loma Systems, an ITW Company
Mettler-Toledo Canada
Nordson Canada Limited
Plan Automation Inc.
Sesotec Canada Ltd
Shawpak Systems Ltd.
CAPMATIC LTD
Dependable Marking Systems Ltd.
Galick Packaging Equipment Ltd.
Harlund Industries Ltd.
Plan Automation Inc.
Squid Ink Manufacturing
Videojet Technologies Inc.
Weber Marking Systems of Canada
Abbey Equipment Solutions
Anritsu - Product Inspection & Detection
Bizerba Canada Inc.
Heat and Control, Inc.
Loma Systems, an ITW Company
Mettler-Toledo Canada
Plan Automation Inc.
Sesotec Canada Ltd
Shawpak Systems Ltd.
VC999 Canada Ltd.
ABB Inc.
Abbey Equipment Solutions
ESS Technologies
Honeywell Intelligrated
Nordson Canada Limited
Standard-Knapp
ABB Inc.
Bosch Rexroth Canada Corp.
CAPMATIC LTD
Delkor Systems Inc.
ESS Technologies
Propack Processing & Packaging Systems Inc.
Schubert Packaging Automation Inc.
Syntegon
Harpak-Ulma Packaging, LLC
Plan Automation Inc.
Reiser (Canada) Co.
Schubert Packaging Automation Inc.
Starview Packaging Machinery, Inc.
Stock Packaging Canada
VC999 Canada Ltd.
Weber Inc
Harpak-Ulma Packaging, LLC
Reiser (Canada) Co.
Schubert Packaging Automation Inc.
Standard-Knapp
Starview Packaging Machinery, Inc.
Stock Packaging Canada
VC999 Canada Ltd.
Abbey Equipment Solutions
Harpak-Ulma Packaging, LLC
Reiser (Canada) Co.
Stock Packaging Canada
VC999 Canada Ltd.
Weber Inc