DISCOVER CLEVER PEOPLE AT CLEVERTECH After 30 years in packaging automation, I’ve seen one piece of equipment consistently deliver immediate impact: Conversion to a fully automatic bulk depalletizer. Why? Because it directly addresses some of the biggest challenges wineries face today - line efficiency, labor savings, and material handling. Bulk glass depalletizing enables wineries to move more product with less labor while maximizing existing floor space. A bulk glass depalletizer isn’t just a piece of equipment - it’s a strategic upgrade for modern wine production. As a Sales Manager at Clevertech North America, I leverage more than 30 years of experience in the packaging automation industry to help wineries implement automation solutions that don’t just improve daily operations but create long-term value. I’d be glad to share what we’re seeing across the industry. Let’s connect and find the right bulk glass solution for your operation. Contact me at 814-571-1768 or by email:

Insights from a bottling manager and how Clevertech’s team backed him at every step When wineries invest in automation - whether to reduce manual labor, boost performance, or keep production running smoothly - another question becomes just as important: Will the supplier be there to support us when we need them? At Oak Ridge Winery, Bottling Manager Steven Uline recently oversaw the installation of a Clevertech bulk depalletizer, case erector, and partition inserter into their existing bottling line. For him, the decision wasn’t only about the capabilities of the machinery. It was also about having confidence that the level of after-sales service and support would remain dependable over the long term. “Clevertech’s quality of support is great,” Uline says. “They were very responsive to our specific challenges and committed to finding solutions that worked for us. During installation, we kept a punch list of open items and worked through it together.&

WIN Expo was a success - and if you missed it, here’s the big takeaway: Clevertech North America makes bottling automation simple, scalable, and cost-effective. Our modular approach means you start with what you need now—depalletizer, case packer, or palletizer-and add more as your production grows. Seamless integration minimizes downtime and maximizes ROI. Wondering how Clevertech’s technology can fit into your space? Schedule a meeting with one of our Sales Managers to see how we can enhance your plant's performance. Whether you run a small winery or a large-scale operation, Clevertech is here to help you overcome labor, space, and budget challenges—one smart step at a time.  Contact Clevertech today to learn how modular automation can transform your bottling line.

Small Steps, Big Gains: Affordable Efficiency with Winery Automation The wine industry is undergoing a seismic shift. Changing consumer preferences, generational taste evolution, and a surge of lower-cost grapes and bulk wine from global markets are reshaping the competitive terrain.  To stay ahead, wineries are rethinking their operations, streamlining workflows, expanding outreach, and embracing automation as a strategic lever for growth. Companies facing financial constraints often turn to automation, a proven strategy that can help reduce labor costs and increase production efficiency in packaging and bottling lines. Among these innovations, packaging automation stands out, delivering measurable cost savings, production agility, and scalable infrastructure, empowering wineries to protect margins and adapt swiftly to market demands. When financial constraints tighten, automation becomes more than a luxury; it’s a lifeline. For wineries, automating packaging and bottling

Traditionally, the cost of purchasing a bulk glass depalletizer for bottling has been out of reach for many wineries. However, current market pressures bring bulk glass into reach for many wineries as the industry grapples with rising costs. In addition, fuel, labor and corrugated packaging costs have escalated, making cased glass increasingly expensive. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, glass prices have escalated 44% over the past decade and have risen steadily at an average annual rate of 6% since 2020. These expanding costs have transformed what was once a 5 to 6-year ROI for the bulk conversion into an 18-month to 3-year ROI. Given today’s economic challenges, it may be time for producers to reevaluate their math. Market Pressures Amplify the Case for Bulk Glass Transitioning from cased glass to bulk glass is not only cost-effective but also offers long-term benefits in efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness. “The numbers have cha

Fuel your mind over lunch!  Want to learn how your winery can increase efficiency with leading capital equipment? Curious as to why so many wineries are choosing to partner with Clevertech? Clevertech invites you to schedule a Lunch & Learn session! This is a great opportunity to enjoy lunch on us while learning how bulk & case depalletizers, case packers, carton erectors, partition inserters, case palletizers, and more can help your company improve the bottom line. If you have thought about the next step for your winery or want to explore your possibilities to increase efficiency but need to know where and how to start, this type of session is for you! Our lunch & learn sessions are limited to 2 per month for the wine industry, so schedule your date asap with Beth Zarnick-Duffy, a 30-year industry veteran.  b.zarnick@clevertech-group.com / 814-571-1768 www.clevertech-group.com We hope to see you soon!

After an successful experience at the Simei Trade Show in Milan, we were thrilled to welcome so many California winery customers to our headquarters in Cadelbosco di Sopra. It was a pleasure to connect, discuss ongoing projects, explore new opportunities, and share ideas on how to enhance and optimize bottling and packaging processes. Your trust, collaboration, and enthusiasm are what drive us to continue innovating and delivering solutions that exceed expectations for the winery industry. Thank you for being part of this journey of success with us—we look forward to building even stronger partnerships!

With decades of automation expertise, Clevertech delivers fully integrated, customizable solutions to streamline production and enhance efficiency for wineries across North America. The family-owned business is one of the hallmarks of the wine industry. These are the oldest type of commercial organization. Studies have found that they are more likely to thrive, in part because they approach business from a legacy perspective. One of the reasons for this success is the inherent multi-generational focus. “The family legacy matters,” says Beth Zarnick-Duffy, who has worked with many family-owned wineries in her 30-year career and is now a sales manager for Clevertech North America (NA). “It's more personal, more about relationship building.” “I agree. It’s a big plus,” says Giorgio Zanardi, Clevertech NA’s General Manager. “Our parent company, Clevertech SPA, is a family-owned company. That means when we do business with our cu

According to Technopedia, “Future proof” describes a product, service or technological system that will not need to be significantly updated as technology advances. Purchasing a Future Proof Palletizer A palletizer purchased today must be as future-proof as possible because it will likely be in operation until 2034, or perhaps as far into the future as 2044. With a life expectancy of one to two decades, a palletizer built today must be engineered with machine control and layer configuration software, electro-mechanical parts, sensors, robots (for some applications), and other components that will perform efficiently and reliably as the machine ages. The manufacturer of the selected palletizer must also be a long-term partner able to provide after-market service and support capabilities that increase the likelihood of maintaining, and when needed, updating or modifying the palletizer to maximize machine life. Basic Considerations There are basic considerations that must