Like most market segments within the beverage industry, beer distribution has a long and illustrious history of specialized packaging.  Beer kegs are the most capital-intensive returnable packaging utilized in beer distribution, and the nation's largest brewing companies standardized usage to the single valve, straight wall keg, investing in fleets of these unique mobile packaging assets. Since the early 1960's, Tosca has focused on providing an exclusive range of services to enable beer manufacturers to optimize fleet utilization, retain keg value, and reduce damaged keg replacement costs.  Today, Tosca is recognized as the third party 'partner of choice' for the industry, offering unmatched quality assurance programs, continuous process improvements to maintain low costs, and groundbreaking keg repair technology- developed by the Tosca Engineering Team.

REPAIR:

Beer Kegs take a lot of abuse; it seems to come with the territory.  That abuse translates into a demand for repair, and Tosca has built an operational division around reconditioning these expensive returnable containers.  Tosca is the largest vendor of beer keg repair services in North America, and has developed repair standards that have been adopted by the industry.  If properly inspected and repaired, Tosca estimates that the average life of a beer keg is almost indefinite.  With over 8,000,000 kegs in use throughout the U.S., the average keg requires reconditioning by Tosca every 8-10 years.

View a video clip of the Beer Kegs in action! >High Quality (high speed connection) >Streaming (dial up connection)

Damage profiles for beer kegs usually involve leakage and reduced capacity, often the result of improper handling in the distribution environment.  Tosca's Keg Repair Team, utilizing specialized equipment designed and built by Tosca for maximum efficiency, focuses on the most significant features for keg integrity, including:        

Keg Chimes

• Handles are pressed flush against inside of chime to prevent handling related injury
• Top and bottom chimes are formed to new-keg dimensions
• All cracks are welded and buffed

Keg Body (pressure vessel)

• Dents are removed to insure proper capacity and cleanability in racking system
• Keg dome is tested to withstand a minimum 1,000 lb. vertical load
• Repaired keg will pass a salt spray analysis test for rust resistance 
• All seam leaks, pin hole leaks, forklift holes, etc. are appropriately repaired

Valve Neck

• Necks are realigned to insure proper filling and cleaning of keg

Valves

• The rubber gas valve is inspected for cuts, tears, or any other defects which may cause "wild beer", or a "can't tap" problem
• New o-rings are installed with each valve

 

Tosca's Beer Keg Repair Programs offer complete reverse logistics services as well, receiving in truckload quantities, sorting, repairing, and managing the return loop. Tosca sells both new and used beer kegs to breweries in the U.S. and Canada, working closely with both keg manufacturers and customers to deliver the required packaging solutions.

In 2001, Tosca Limited was presented with the coveted Partners in Excellence Award from Miller Brewing, a gratifying acknowledgement of Tosca's devotion to professional beer keg repair.

 

To view a recent Control Engineering article featuring Tosca's beer keg quality assurance, click the link below.  Please note, upon clicking the link you will leave the Tosca web site.