As beverage manufacturers and contract packaging companies see more SKUs entering the warehouse, operations professionals are tasked with ensuring that all processes are operating efficiently and effectively.

Reston, Va.-based PMMI’s Pack Expo Las Vegas 2015 will take place Sept. 28-30 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Earlier this year, the association for packaging and processing technologies announced that the show will be co-located with the newly created Pharma Expo, produced in partnership with the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE).

From high line speeds to condensation, beverage producers operate in a virtually non-stop production cycle that requires up-to-date coding equipment that simultaneously labels, identifies and tracks products – all while keeping pace with ever-changing industry needs.

The formulation has been carefully and meticulously perfected and packaged. And the next step is just as crucial to marketing the product and ensuring success of the brand — printing and applying labels.

A product’s packaging can play just as much of a role in a products success as what is inside.

An early-spring snowstorm did not stop attendees and exhibitors from trekking to Chicago's McCormick Place to see and showcase the latest supply chain solutions at ProMat, which took place March 23-26.

When packaging beverages, the process to fill a container can require efficient practices as beverage-makers look to accommodate changeovers that commonly are associated with SKU proliferation.

When parents are teaching their children how to handle breakable objects, they often remind them to use extra care and handle it gently with two hands. The case packers segment of a beverage line also is learning to handle newer, more breakable packages with care in order to ensure that lightweight and flexible packages are gently packed and shipped to stores in one piece.

In the past 13 years, the aluminum can market has come a long way within the craft beer segment. Back in 2002, only one craft brewer packaged its beer in aluminum cans, according to the Aluminum Association.

From Nov. 2 through Nov. 5, Pack Expo International 2014 and the co-located Pharma Expo drew more 48,000 attendees to Chicago’s McCormick Place.