Alcoa Wins Major Contracts for Aluminum Closures in Japan

Alcoa is supplying its 38 mm VT-Lok aluminum closures to Suntory for its new alcoholic beverage, “Ginza Cocktail,” introduced in September.

06/01/07 Alcoa Closure Systems International (CSI) Japan announced that it is providing 100% of the aluminum closure requirements for two major Japanese companies, beverage producer Suntory and FamilyMart, a major Japanese convenience store chain.

Alcoa is supplying its 38 mm VT-Lok aluminum closures to Suntory for its new alcoholic beverage, “Ginza Cocktail,” introduced in September. In addition, Alcoa has provided 38mm aluminum closures to FamilyMart for its launch of “Iki (fashionably chic)” series of sake brands from Nihon-Sakari, Haku-Tsuru, Gekkeikan, And Sho-Tiku-Bai. FamilyMart began selling the sake last October in its 5,500 convenience stores located throughout the country.

“For many years, Alcoa aluminum closures have been considered the product of choice for the global soft drink industry. Selection as the exclusive supplier of closures to these two major companies is a testament to the confidence our customers have in the integrity of our closure products,” said Sadanobu Kawasaki, director, sales and marketing for CSI Japan. “Of special significance, is that Alcoa has won the aluminum closures business for the sake brands, which have converted to an aluminum bottles produced by Takeuchi Press from a glass packages. We are now re-establishing our relationships with the major sake brands, which has been dormant for 10 years.”