The UpStart program works with growing startups such as Alkaline Water Co.

Amcor helps startups get niche products to market

15 January 2016

A new business platform for brands wanting to launch niche products has been announced by Amcor Rigid Plastics.

The UpStart program offers small-volume production for emerging beverage companies who want to reach the market more cost-effectively, as well as established, high-volume suppliers who want to explore niche markets.

“Our goal is to assist regional and emerging brands in launching their new, custom products, then scale them up to larger equipment platforms,” Frank Lin, director of marketing for Amcor Rigid Plastics’ beverage unit, said.

“We also offer them design services, engineering and development, laboratory, and other technical services.”

In the past, tooling costs to outfit large-cavity injection tools and large-scale blow moulding equipment could approach more than $1 million.

This made it cost-prohibitive for some customers to conduct market testing and perform small-volume manufacturing before introducing new products.

Amcor said UpStart offered significant savings in capital investment versus the standard high-volume production scenario, reducing tooling costs by to 75 per cent and enabling bottle production with a wide range of technologies, finishes, and shapes.