In a production system 100, containers have hollow main bodies 1a having openings at their top parts and caps 1b for closing the openings. The production system 100 includes a conveyor line L for conveying the containers 1, a capper 5 for attaching the caps 1b to the main bodies 1a of the containers 1 on the conveyor line L, a reading apparatus 18 configured to read first information attached to top surfaces of the caps 1b of the containers 1 for identifying the containers 1 on the conveyor line L at one or more predetermined points after the capper 5, and a memory apparatus 52 configured to store linked together the first information of the containers 1, second information attached to the main bodies 1a of the containers 1 for identifying the main bodies 1a, and times at which the containers 1 passed the one or more predetermined points.

Methods and apparatus for rotating a container delivered to a container manipulation system on a conveyor are described. In some embodiments, first and second carriages are positioned on opposite sides of the conveyor, each carrying respective forward and rear clamp arms. Each clamp arm is selectively independently moveable and carries at least first and second vertically spaced-apart wheels. All of the wheels are engageable with the container on the conveyor. At least two wheels on the first carriage are power-driven and selectively rotatable. The remaining wheels are free-spinning. Additional methods, systems and apparatus are also disclosed.