“Competitive pressure in the packaging industry is higher than in the medical branch. The companies have to adapt to the filling lines of their customers which often they do not have their own products. And the price pressure is much higher, too,” summarizes W. Czizegg. Waldorf Technik reacts upon the growing demand for even safer, faster and more productive manufacturing processes with innovative engineering power. Says Czizegg: “We compete through a high degree of engineering intelligence and strength. We look at the customer’s market in the centre of the project and then we develop exactly the plant for the solution of the problem. In most cases, the robots are of modular design and can easily be adapted to the new products. The market is not very innovative and generally chases nothing but cycle times. However, it is more important to recognize what customers really need to be successful, and to react fast upon those demands.” Wolfgang Czizegg emphasizes that suppliers to the medical-technical branch want to buy process safety: “In cooperation with the customer, experts in the medical environment elaborate process and risk analyses and develop a project from there. The risk is assessed, followed by a detailed statement of the individual safety strategy. This is the unique selling proposition for our customers. We simulate risks and ‘sabotage’ production processes in the test field to learn all imponderabilities and consequently to be able to offer the highest possible level of safety.” This is W. Czizegg’s recipe of success: “We don’t sell equipment, we provide safety.”

 

Wolfgang Czizegg recognizes a growing trend where plastics solutions substitute glass and tin containers. Actually, three production methods are represented in the market which are trend-setting and where Waldorf Technik is one of the pioneers: “Firstly, it concerns the cup production involving in-mould-labelling where containers are produced in a single injection moulding operation using multi-cavity moulds. “The barrier function is thus contained in the label,” explains W. Czizegg. The second method utilizes the barrier material as a central layer, injecting Polypropylene and EVOH which has gas barrier properties. Czizegg: “No water vapour or oxygen can migrate in or out of the packaging. EVOH has rarely been used in injection moulding due to lack of traceability or test methods.” Meanwhile, a special test installation is utilized in the new ‘Check’n Pack’ automation module which visualized EVOH. The savings in production and logistics cost of this method are about 40% compared with those of tin-plate ware. The third method involves conventionally injection moulded plastic cups which are coated with a barrier layer. The extremely thin layer which covers the cup has a similar hermetic property as glass does and offers the potential to substitute traditional packing solutions such as glass and tin-plate ware or aluminium cups. In all three methods, Waldorf Technik has meanwhile reached a high degree of specialization and a leading position worldwide.

 

For years, Waldorf Technik’s development is characterized by growth. Meanwhile, the company employs a staff of 96 specialists and has recently established a subsidiary in the USA. Main markets are central Europe and Scandinavia with remarkable business growth rates in Ireland, the UK, Middle East, and America. New agents were established in England and France. The Engen, Germany, mother company has doubled its production area. The team of experts, predominantly in design, engineering and sales, will be reinforced and a new IT system will be installed. In 2008, the company was able to raise its turnover by 30%, and by 16% in the year of the crisis. Looking at 2010, Wolfgang Czizegg is optimistic: “Last year’s development may continue this way. We find ourselves in a fast development phase, but with a constant view on the long-term stability of our company – equally important to our customers and our staff.” One expression of the upward trend is the present (and second) qualification for the ‘Top 100’ companies’ award. The award competition across all branches thoroughly focuses the innovation management of middle-class companies. The most ingenious and assimilation-friendly firms in Germany are identified, distinguished and honoured this way.