To reach the target, Andreas Kandt, CEO, Bekum, told FoodProductionDaily it has set itself a number of goals across all areas of its business.
Two-fold approach
It plans to improve its processes, optimise purchasing, making project management more efficient and coordinating better between its subsidiaries in the US and Brazil and its European plants in Berlin and Traismauer.
“The target is ambitious, but eminently achievable given our resources,” said Kandt.
“We have a two-fold approach to putting Bekum's strong relationships with our customers on a new footing. Up until now, we have been recognised as machine suppliers. In the future, our consulting team must be able to show its expertise with regard to product development.
“Brand owners in the packaging sector need a consultant who fully understands how to make packaging functional and appealing. An open-minded approach to design allows us to create specific products, which lead to strong brand differentiation in the marketplace. An interesting niche is the dairy market, but also other segments.”
Kandt, who worked for Bekum from 1982-1995, has experience in engineering from Davis Standard and IWKA Packaging.
Commercial director
He said he has brought on experts who can provide the necessary experience to grow including Kornelia Kern, as commercial director.
Her responsibilities include finance, personnel, administration, IT and materials management. At the same time she will concentrate on the continuous improvement process (CIP) for the design of efficient processes and structures.
“I think one needs to view the Asian markets in terms of marketing and location,” added Kandt.
“In the future, we want to be able to offer our customers in the western market a service equal to, if not better than, the one we already do. With this is mind, new marketing opportunities are arising in Russia, Eastern Europe, Turkey and India.
“China is naturally an extremely dynamic market with great volume. For this reason we are looking into the possibility of a location “east" of Berlin. We need to investigate whether this is something that we could do in cooperation with China or in Asia generally. We do know that we will be expanding into the east soon to supply the regional markets there.”
Packaging
He added initially, the firm wants to turn its attention to the packaging sector.
“We differentiate between customers in the consumer goods and industrial packaging,” he said. “In the US, co-polyester plays a significant role; globally, it is solutions in PP and LDPE or HDPE that make up about 85% of the applications.
“When it comes to the brand differentiation of our customers' products, blow moulding technology is of particular appeal. There is a catchphrase: Individualise the packaging; move away from the perception of mass production.
“At the turn of the year, a new technical director joined us. His responsibilities are to increase our portfolio, integrate system partners, and further develop control and sensor technology.
“The focus of the technical management at Bekum is rheology, extrusion technology, and head technology. In agreement with the Service Department, we will be focusing on the area of retrofitting.”
Bekum will be exhibiting its EBLOW machine generation at Interpack Hall 5 Stand D37.