As Mars Drinks prepares for the launch of its Moment du Chocolat microwave beverage, its contract packer, Mailway Packaging Solutions, is already planning for larger volumes.
With a national launch in Tesco this month, Mars will be monitoring sales carefully. Mars and Mailway are looking at contingency plans for annual volumes above 3M units. "We've put forward a proposal to go to a fully automatic line," says Mailway sales director Stewart Clough.
The ready-to-microwave milk-based chocolate drink is packed in a pre-sealed dairy pot. This in turn is glued inside a paper cup, with an overcap and cartonboard sleeve. Filling of the pot is carried out in Europe. The pack won two Starpack awards earlier this year.