Changing the face of packaging Schur Flexibles

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Since its establishment in 2012, Schur Flexibles has transformed traditional packaging thinking and brought innovative technologies to the table. Today the Schur Flexibles Group continues its remarkable growth trajectory, boosted by its centres of excellence and an ambitious programme of pan-European acquisitions. Philip Yorke reports.

When Schur Flexibles first came to the market in 2012 it did so without creating a big stir; however, this was the beginning of a remarkable and meteoric journey to the top. The original concept created a network of the most advanced packaging competences on a pan-European scale. This meant pooling specialist competences and companies that were technological leaders in their chosen disciplines and in their respective markets.

All these companies have one thing in common: a reputation for excellence and unrivalled state-of-the-art manufacturing processes. So although the Schur Flexibles Group is a newcomer, it is comprised of the best, most well-established and integrated players. All members of the group are highly specialised, flexible and fast growing enterprises.

From its head office in Weiner Neudorf, Austria, the Schur Flexibles Group directs its 15 subsidiary companies that between them operate 23 factories in Germany, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Greece, France, Russia and the UK. Almost 2000 employees create unique packaging solutions for the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and tobacco industries. In 2018 the Schur Flexibles Group is expected to record sales of more than €500 million.

Strengthening position

The Schur Group continues to strengthen its position as one of the leading providers in the European flexible packaging market. Recent major developments include the appointment of Thursten Kuhn, who joined the company earlier this year as the group’s CEO, and the forthcoming integration of the Uni Packaging group of France.

Over the last few months the Schur Flexibles Group has made a string of key acquisitions, including Cats Flexibles Packaging, Hansel Flexible Packaging and Nimax from the Clondalkin Group. All are leaders in their respective fields. Following these strategic purchases the Schur Group has also acquired Uni Packaging, the French packaging giant that specialises in the flexible packaging of a wide range of cheeses and dairy products. Uni Packaging was acquired by Lindsey Goldberg, the parent company of Schur Flexibles, and it will be fully integrated into the group within the next six months.

The two companies complement each other perfectly. Uni Packaging’s extensive experience and local presence will further strengthen and expand Schur Flexible’s position in the fast-growing cheese and dairy products market, as well as in the fresh products and convenience sectors, especially in France and the UK.

As a result of this latest development, Schur Flexibles is now represented in all the most attractive European packaging markets. It will

also benefit from Uni Packaging’s proven expertise in pouches, which is a rapidly growing market segment that is increasingly replacing traditional rigid packaging devices.

Today, Schur Flexibles is an integrated, full-range supplier of flexible packaging that offers raw materials purchasing, extrusion, printing, lamination, converting and pouch-making. The company is therefore able to provide its customers with undisputed one-stop-shop value and unrivalled packaging expertise from a single source.

Showcasing excellence

At this year’s FachPack, the international packaging trade show, Schur Flexibles presented its latest innovative packaging portfolio. This included stand-up pouches with digital printing, as well as SuperThin laminate films and its latest FlexiClose technology, which recently won the German Packaging Sustainability Award. All these products are part of Schur’s ‘rethink initiative’, which is a far-reaching climate protection programme.

Triple-bubble shrink technology

The Schur Flexibles Group operates some of Europe’s most technologically advanced production sites. This includes its Vacufol facility, Schur Flexibles Poland, Danapak and Alpha Beta Roto as part of the Schur Group. Schur Flexibles Vacufol features its outstanding 7-layer ‘Water Quench’ technology for high barrier PA-EVOH-PE or PA/PE thermoforming films, as well as the pioneering triple-bubble 9-layer EVOH shrink technology.

Furthermore, Schur Flexible’s Alpha Beta Roto subsidiary houses state-of-the-art cylinder production and the most advanced 11 colour roto-printing facility in Europe. It also boasts a modern HD flexo printing facility of up to ten colours. At the group’s Flexofol plant it recently installed the latest UV flexo equipment for short runs and ultra-sophisticated printing processes. n

For further details of the Schur Flexibles Group’s latest innovative products and one-stop shop services visit: www.schurflexibles.com