Asahi’s US$35M Wisconsin line adds 20,000 bottles per hour for multi-format beverage co-packing

USA – Asahi Beer USA has deployed a new 20,000-bottle-per-hour bottling line at its Octopi plant in Waunakee, Wisconsin, as part of a US$35 million investment to expand US production capacity and enhance the facility’s position as a leading co-packer for multi-format beverages.

The installation, completed as part of an equipment build-out involving nearly 90 containers, includes automated processes, monitoring and control functions intended to meet the quality and precision standards linked to Japanese brewing. 

The first stage of commissioning will centre on Asahi Super Dry in 12oz six-pack bottles and 21oz 12-pack bottles, with these products due to reach the market from mid-September 2026. 

Krones Varioline Packer Enables Multi-Format Flexibility

A key component of the line is a Krones Varioline packer, which allows multipacks, trays and wraparound formats to be processed on the same platform, enabling Octopi to handle a broader set of co-manufacturing needs without reducing large-scale efficiency. 

The system includes automated processes, monitoring and control functions intended to meet the quality and precision standards linked to Japanese brewing. 

The line can also accommodate other bottle sizes and pack formats if demand shifts. 

This flexibility is particularly valuable as beverage brands increasingly seek to offer multiple package configurations to meet diverse retail channel requirements, from traditional grocery to e-commerce and club stores.

Expanding Octopi’s Co-Packing Capabilities Across Beverage Categories

Octopi works across beer, energy beverages, functional drinks, hard seltzers, non-alcoholic beverages and ready-to-drink cocktails, including demand in non-alcoholic and functional segments. 

Plant director Juan Morales stated that this is about building a platform that can handle complexity, allowing brands to deliver different formats across different retail channels with the speed, consistency and quality required for large-scale distribution. 

Managing Director Paul Verdu noted that Asahi Super Dry is one of the fastest growing beer brands in the USA, and the investment localises supply across all core pack formats, reducing reliance on ocean freight and ensuring the freshest product possible to customers.

The Waunakee facility is Safe Quality Food (SQF)-certified and built to meet compliance requirements set by large retailers. 

The investment also enhances Octopi’s ability to serve a wider set of retailer and consumer requirements, positioning the facility as a strategic partner for beverage brands seeking scalable co-manufacturing solutions in the competitive US market.

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