Alpha Packaging marks the sale of 100 million bottles from its HDPE Pharma Line

Exceeding its sales projections, US-based Alpha Packaging is celebrating the sale of 100 million bottles made from its high density polyethylene (HDPE) Pharma Lines that was installed less than two years ago.

In 2013, Alpha invested US$4.5 million in infrastructure as well as brand-new injection blow molding and extrusion blow molding machines and new molds for 14 sizes of pharmaceutical bottles, ranging from 50cc to 950cc.

Since the initial installation of three machines, Alpha has added one additional high-cavitation machines to keep up with demand and will install a 5th line in the fourth quarter of 2015. The company plans to add even more machines in a complementary geography in 2016.

Brian McCarthy, Vice President of Sales and New Business Development, said the stocking program was key to opening new opportunities with pharmaceutical and nutritional manufacturers and fillers.

"In these industries, and particularly on the East Coast, contract manufacturers are accustomed to same-day or next-day availability for stock bottles," he said. "We've implemented a reliable stocking program and published available inventory online to capture incremental sales across all sizes."

Mr McCarthy said Alpha expects to expand manufacturing of this line to other regions of the US. "We believe there is sufficient demand to replicate this program in other areas of the country, and we anticipate making an announcement in the near future regarding our next stage of expansion."