Company gets into a fizz over contract

A Newtown company is up in a fizz over its latest contract.

Control Techniques, Newtown’s largest employer, is helping more than 5,000 Champagne producers and 80 cooperatives in France with work to a bottling line.

The company was picked by Nicola Feuillatte, the globally recognised Champagne producer, to help improve the bottling plant where thousands of bottles of Champagne are produced.

Drives manufactured at Control Techniques Newtown facility will now help ensure a smooth flow of Champagne at the plant.

The Centre Vinicole - Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte (CV-CNF) is the leading Champagne producers´ union.

Its facility in Chouilly, in the Marne region of France, is one of the most automated plants of its type, with a workforce of 235 people, half of whom are involved in production.

The company output reaches 23 million bottles a year, making it one of the world´s leading champagne producers.

Frédéric Lopez, automation manager CV-CNF, said:  “We needed to replace a series of drive systems, in a gradual process.

“We considered using the original supplier of the equipment, as well other leading firms in this sector.

“They were all able to supply equipment that would have met our expectations, but we also wanted to establish a partnership with a company able to deliver the level of service we needed. This is why we selected Emerson.”

The line runs at a rate of 4,000 to 6,000 bottles an hour and has to offer maximum availability in operation.