The idiom “greasing the skids” commonly is used when describing a mechanism to help matters run smoothly. It is especially apropos for beverage plants that literally have to “grease the skids” with lubricants like oils, greases, pastes and sprays in order to keep multiple pieces of equipment in the supply chain operating at peak efficiency.

Not only do beverage facilities require lubrication for its many gears, chains, compressors, bearings and slides, but differences in the type of liquid produced or the containers being filled also can change the machinery — and the lubricant — required to run at peak capacity, experts note. Food safety, sustainability and environmental factors also are key drivers for the type of lubricants used, experts say.