The Challenge
As Stack prepared to launch a new seltzer line in sleek cans, they hit a roadblock: their decade-old ACS V4.2 system, installed back in 2013, wasn’t built for sleek formats. Their options? Buy a new canning system, outsource the run to a co-packer, or walk away from the new SKU entirely.
Each option came with tradeoffs: capital costs, production delays, and operational complexity. Stack wanted to stay nimble, keep production in-house, and move quickly without compromising quality.
The Solution
Instead of upgrading their existing line, Stack partnered with Cask to retrofit their current ACS V4 with sleek can fill heads. This is part of a growing library of retrofit kits Cask designed to keep legacy systems in-play and meeting new demands. The cost? Roughly $19,000 - a fraction of a new system.
At the same time, Stack extended their service visit by a day to perform preventative maintenance, ensuring the system was tuned and ready for the busy summer season.
"This allowed us to get going right away. The install of the new fill head went well and the Cask techs were very knowledgeable." - Derek Jackson, Head Brewer @ Stack
Cask’s engineering investment in retrofit compatibility reflects a larger commitment: empowering customers to adapt and grow without forcing a complete system overhaul.
The Results
Stack successfully launched their sleek can seltzer line using the system they’ve trusted for over a decade. With the new filler head installed and their system refreshed, they gained the flexibility to run new formats while extending the lifespan of their original system. What could’ve been a costly bottleneck became a smart, scalable step forward. And if they do upgrade their canning system in the future, they get to do it on their terms.
