Technical assistance helps company avoid production shutdown

Clover Club Bottling Company
Chicago, IL

Clover Club Bottling Company produces soda and other beverages. Recently, however, a bacterial contamination somewhere in the line was keeping production on hold until the problem could be solved. A solution proved difficult, because the company could not identify the source of the contamination.

Faced with possible production shutdown, company president Joe Troy contacted Argonne to explore available resources. Under Argonne's Technical Services Program, Argonne researchers can provide up to five days of effort to resolve technical issues that require Argonne's unique expertise. This proved to be just what Clover Club needed.

Working with a private consultant hired by the company, Argonne analyzed sampling data and cleaning procedures and was able to identify the contamination source and recommend improved cleaning procedures. Soon beverages were rolling off the production lines at the usual rates.

"Our plant was in danger of production shutdown because of microbial contamination in our bottling process, and we couldn't find the source. Argonne identified the source and assessed our cleaning process, allowing us to work with a private consultant to eliminate the problem and production was resumed. For us, this technical assistance was essential in keeping our employees working." — Joseph Troy, President, Clover Club Bottling Company.

Argonne's Technical Services Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science, Laboratory Technology Research (SC/LTR) Program.

Working with Argonne

Argonne has many types of contractual agreements to meet the needs and interests of industry, state and local governments, federal agencies and other organizations.

For More Information

For more information, contact Argonne's Office of Technology Transfer (800-627-2596, partners@anl.gov).