Our History
Omnitech International, Inc. (OII), was originally founded in 1976 as Container
Technology, Corporation (CTC) and it was the first independent company to offer
complete, turn-key D&I can manufacturing systems. Recognizing the challenges
associated with the installation and start-up of two-piece manufacturing lines,
the company pioneered the concept of fully integrated, preassembled, “modular”
lines, which could be easily set up and operated anywhere in the world. American
Can and a number of other customers throughout the world purchased and
successfully operated these modular systems.
The output of these modular lines ranged from 400 to 800 CPM, which, at the
time, served a great deal of the market need. In 1989-1990, the company
completed the installation of a line using a more conventional design approach
for a customer in Korea with a capacity of 1000 CPM, which was expanded to 1500
CPM in 1991. As line speeds increased, technology advanced and with its
experience in both approaches to turn-key’s, OII adopted a philosophy utilizing
modular construction where it could add the most value and adopted a
conventional approach on other parts of the line in order to reduce the up-front
capital investment and to allow for more flexibility in line layout and design.
In 1991, the Omnitech International, Inc. name was adopted to signify a
diversification of the company’s area of activity to include both modular and
conventional technologies for D&I beverage cans and ends. The company also
focused part of its activities on expanding the presence of the two-piece D&I
and DRD technologies for food and aerosol containers. This diversification led
to OII’s involvement in a new, patented technology for dispensing aerosol and
viscous products from light-weight, two-piece D&I cans. OII now provides
turn-key lines and its technical expertise for the introduction of this
technological breakthrough to the global marketplace and it can also assist its
customers with D&I beverage lines in producing cans for the aerosol market
wherever it is practical to do so.
Structure, Management and Philosophy
In 1993, OII went through a change of ownership and management, which totally
re-focused and dedicated the company to providing their customers with the very
best service in the industry. As its owners, Mr. Chris Olson and Mr. Harold Cook
are personally and directly involved with customer development, relationships
and project implementation. Mr. Olson’s background includes responsibility for
sales, marketing, technical service and research and development with a start-up
can manufacturing company and he feels his experience helps him “walk in his
customer’s shoes” and advise them on both the technical and commercial issues
that can make a significant difference in their success. Mr. Cook brings 25
years of two-piece can and end engineering and product development experience to
OII and its customers from the Adolph Coors Brewing Company where he was
responsible for developing and commercializing many new can and end making
processes, equipment and technologies.
OII realizes that it can be very difficult for a customer who is new to the
industry and the technology to fully understand the definition and importance of
a “turn-key”. OII also realizes that in some cases, the definition needs to be
modified or customized to fit the needs and the capability of the customer. On
that basis, OII offers a detailed proposal which helps the customer clearly
understand what is required of both parties and how they may be able to expand
or reduce their participation in the project based upon their capability. Also,
OII strongly encourages the participation of the customer’s personnel in the
implementation of the turn-key. This helps in the process of actually
transferring the technology, as well as in building the cooperation and teamwork
that are essential for the success of both parties.
OII applies this philosophy without the veil of secrecy over pricing. If pricing
has to remain a mystery to “protect” the supplier’s interest, it can be
difficult to reach decisions, which are in the best interests of the customer.
On this basis, OII prides itself on being very direct and straightforward with
respect to technical, as well as commercial matters. With this approach, OII
believes it can earn the complete confidence and trust of the customer and have
a mutually rewarding partnership with or without a shared equity involvement.
In addition to this new philosophy, OII has gathered some of the top engineers
and “hands on” technical personnel in the industry who have been given the
latitude and decision making ability focused on satisfying the customer first.
This means that OII’s “corporate policy” does not get in the way of making
critical and timely decisions that are in the interest of the customer. OII’s
management believes that when its people make decisions that satisfy the
customer’s interest, it will satisfy its own interest. Since its staff has the
authority, experience and ability to “do the job right”, both the customer and
OII’s employees share in the satisfaction of a job well done.
OII’s internal support staff has been providing project support for line
installations, spare parts and tooling for more than ten years. OII’s team of
engineers and technical specialists average more than 20 years of can making
experience in the following disciplines: project management, mechanical
engineering, electrical engineering, facilities engineering, tooling design and
engineering, chemical environmental engineering, AutoCAD design and drawing and
“hands on” technical specialists with extensive operational experience in all
aspects of the manufacturing process. OII’s team consists of a team of varied
backgrounds and experiences from many of the world’s most respected producers
and innovators in two-piece can manufacturing.
Scope of Supply
As part of the development of a project, OII will assist the customer, as
required, in the evaluation of the market and development of a business plan, as
well as assisting with the process of securing project financing. If a company
desires an up front feasibility study to evaluate the business without a
commitment for a turn-key, OII will also offer this service on a fee basis.
OII utilizes state-of-the-art proven equipment for its turn-key lines and looks
for vendors who will offer the best service over the long run to its customers.
Omnitech supplies all process equipment from the coil handling system through
the stretch wrapper and also includes critical support items, such as air and
vacuum systems, deionized water, scrap handling and processing, tooling
inspection equipment, plus a full complement of quality control and inspection
equipment.
OII’s electrical control package is completely integrated and is based upon
high-speed controllers who not only control machine functions, but also provide
valuable outputs to the operator, as well as management. Complete on-line
diagnostics and data acquisition are included, providing for a full range of
production reporting at a remote site, such as the plant manager’s office. Also,
OII offers a built in remote diagnostic package, which allows OII’s service
technicians to access the control system from nearly anywhere in the world via
modem. This helps OII provide immediate and real time trouble shooting service
to the customer. In some cases, it is possible to actually make timing
adjustments, as well, which can extend this remote service to actually solving
problems, in addition to diagnosing them.
Omnitech also offers environmental equipment as an option for both VOC
incineration and wastewater treatment, as required for the plant site. OII will
also specify all remaining equipment necessary to successfully operate the plant
and will supply whatever is not available locally or whatever the customer
desires to include in OII’s scope of supply.
As a provider of turn-key lines, OII pays particular attention to the market and
experience of the people and the surroundings to make equipment recommendations,
which are well founded in both technology as well as cost. In many cases,
developing markets do not present the return on investments in technologies,
which were developed to support multi-billion unit markets. In these cases, OII
is not afraid to use older proven equipment where the demands are suited and
also is not afraid to challenge the status quo in proving new technologies where
it is warranted. To evaluate these situations, OII will clearly identify the
advantages and disadvantages to the customer and include them in the decision
making process.
Technical Service
After completing the sale of a turn-key can line, OII is dedicated to providing
a continuing base of technical support and service. However, OII recognizes that
needs vary. So, rather than having a “one fits all” technical service package,
OII works with the customer to define the needs and scope of services to be
provided, in recognition of the ability and capability of the plant. Technical
service can range from providing a complete on site management team to a program
of regular audits and periodic trouble shooting. OII will specify a program with
defined parameters and objectives so that the customer can make a reasonable
measurement of their return on their investment in this service. The results of
OII service can be measured in line efficiency improvements, quality
improvement, cost reduction, scrap reduction and overall process improvement,
leading to greater profitability for the customer.
OII will provide technical service to either producers of cans/ends or suppliers
of equipment, whether or not it is in association with an OII turn-key. In fact,
technical support and service for manufacturers, both large and small, is a new
focus for OII. With its expanded staff, OII will provide long term or short term
technical expertise for solving line/equipment problems, introducing new tooling
systems (i.e., ceramic, lightweight carbides, surface enhancement), performing
independent equipment or system audits, upgrading line control systems and
software, managing or contributing to light-weighting programs, raw material or
product size conversions, necking conversions, end line conversions and
environmental consulting for can lines. OII believes that with the ever changing
needs of the marketplace and with the reductions in support organizations and
staffs at many of the major can producers, it can provide a valuable and timely
service at a reasonable cost.
Projects
Recently OII successfully completed the installation of the first modern high
speed, two-piece can line in Eastern Europe, several months ahead of schedule.
Near Krakow, Poland, Can Pack, S.A. is an independent producer affiliated with
the largest can manufacturer of food cans in Poland, Pol Am Pack, S.A. This line
is now producing 330 ml aluminum beverage cans for beer and soft drinks at a
speed of 1000 CPM. The line was designed with the capability to be converted to
steel in the future, if necessary, depending on market conditions, and has been
operating with a high level of efficiency since October of 1994. OII will
continue to provide the necessary support to Can Pack to insure their success in
the future.
In the Fourth Quarter of 1994, OII was selected from a distinguished group of
international competitors to provide the first high speed, two-piece beverage
can manufacturing facility in the Czech Republic. Also, OII is currently
providing technical support for the start-up of a new plant in South America and
is negotiating several other turn-key projects, as well as short and long term
technical service, in many regions of the world. OII believes there are many
opportunities for turn-key lines in many of the former Eastern Block countries,
the Far East, the Middle East and South / Central America. OII also sees many
opportunities around the world, with the new two-piece aerosol technology
beginning in the United States.
Summary
Above all, OII believes that it has the responsibility to act as a trusted and
respected partner to its customers and that trust and respect must be earned
through the demonstration of its ability, straightforward communication and
complete dedication to serving the customer’s needs first.