The Challenge
Fat Pants Brewing Company, a well-established Minnesota brewery, identified an exciting opportunity to expand its business by entering the growing THC beverage market. With THC beverages accounting for 25% of liquor store revenues in the state—and beverage consumption being the primary delivery method due to the absence of dispensaries—Fat Pants recognized the potential to diversify its revenue streams. The company decided to launch a co-packing division, allowing them to serve new clients eager to produce THC drinks but without their own canning capabilities.
With the busy summer season fast approaching, Fat Pants needed a solution that would be operational quickly to meet client demands and capitalize on the market opportunity. The brewery considered several options to expand its production capacity. A rotary system offered high capacity and reliable performance, but its high price point and long lead times made it impractical for their immediate needs. Another option was an alternative in-line filler with a lower price tag, which was initially compelling. However, Cask’s ACS FleX2 emerged as a strong contender, backed by glowing recommendations from industry peers who praised the quality, performance, and reliability of Cask’s equipment.
The Criteria
Fat Pants had specific requirements for their investment. They needed a flexible and customizable canning system that could adapt to their unique production needs, such as switching seamlessly between different packaging configurations. Space constraints added another layer of complexity—they required an efficient, compact system layout that optimized material flow while leaving room for future growth. The solution had to scale with their business, accommodating potential expansions such as larger tanks and additional equipment as their operations grew.
Most importantly, they valued a collaborative partnership with a supplier who could provide hyper responsive customer service and hands-on support to ensure a smooth transition.
The Solution
After weighing their options, Fat Pants Brewing chose Cask’s ACS FleX2. The system aligned perfectly with their priorities, offering a balance of speed, quality, and flexibility. Cask worked closely with Fat Pants to ensure the system could be installed and commissioned within their tight timeline, allowing them to start production well before the summer rush.
Cask canning systems are completely customizable to work within tight footprints for a turnkey set-up that can include Automated Depalletizing, Date Coding, Nitrogen Dosing, Labelling and more.
The system’s compact design fit seamlessly into their existing space, while its scalability provided peace of mind that it could support their long-term growth. Cask’s team also delivered comprehensive training and ongoing support, ensuring that the transition was as smooth as possible.
The Results
Fat Pants was able to quickly and effectively launch their co-packing division within months, giving their team ample time to ramp up production ahead of the busy summer season.
In just one month of operation, Fat Pants packaged 500,000 cans. This swift execution not only allowed them to meet the demands of new clients but also established Fat Pants as a leader in Minnesota’s booming THC beverage market, securing additional sizeable contracts for the upcoming year. The investment has already begun paying off, setting their team up for sustained growth and profitability in the years to come.
