Optima Packaging Group achieved a consolidated turnover of €200 million in 2009. This stable development is expected to continue throughout the business year of 2010. Hans Bühler, managing director of the company, calls the current order situation “very satisfying”.
At the beginning of 2009, Optima Group reported a healthy order projection. In challenging economic conditions, however, all forecasts must be taken with a pinch of salt. It is therefore all the more satisfying that customers were able to implement the projects as planned. Optima Group consequently reports a turnover plus, compared to the previous year (2008: €190million). The current incoming order flow is good, and, according to the facts we have today, the business year 2010 will also be successful. Hans Bühler said, “Optima Group looks into this year and the next with a certain caution, but also with much optimism and confidence.”
Traditionally, Optima Group re-invests a significant proportion of its turnover into research and development. Strong technology development and innovativation across all group activities coupled with the projected increase in the sales teams is confirmation of Optima’s effort to further this re-investment strategy. With 1,200 employees worldwide, 980 of them employed in Germany, the number of staff has remained stable. The company’s export rate continues to exceed 80%.
Company sectors, technologies and markets
In addition to conventional pharmaceuticals, biotechnology is continuing to gain importance for the company’s pharma sector. The market is characterised by highly specific processes and machine requirements, for which the company is well experienced with and very competitively positioned. The integration of filling, packaging and freeze-drying processes, all made available by Optima Group Pharma as a one-stop supplier, is quite unique in the industry, and the sterile disposable filling systems and disposable solutions for safe material transfer in the sterile zone are truly groundbreaking technologies. The supplier of the disposable transfer technology is Lugaia STS, a premium partner of Optima Group since March 2009.
The consumer sector (food products, chemistry, cosmetics, air and water filter technology) continues to draw attention with important innovations. The latest example is its moduline machine launched in September. It is the first machine supporting fully automated format changeovers from object to object. The cosmetics industry in particular, as well as other industries, have repeatedly called for better package personalisation and differentiation. Further highlights are the second generation of packaging machines for a new and modern type of teabag, as well as a machine module that supports the production of flavored coffee specialties for home use.
The nonwovens sector (paper hygiene products) accomplished consolidation of its international market leadership by inventive developments. The advantage was achieved by high-performance packaging machinery on the one side, and also by offering a degree of flexibility so far unknown in this field. As in all other sectors, market requirements are met in the most eco-friendly manner possible, by bringing in material and energy-saving processes.
In 2009, Medicon presented a particularly flexible and comprehensive system for coating micro titer plates for laboratory use within diagnostic medicine. Shortly after this premiere, a new, similarly flexible machine system for manufacturing innovative wound dressing products and allergy test strips was manufactured.
Sustainability, demographics and social commitment
environment protection is an important company philosophy of the Optima Group, emphasised by the switch to 100% hydropower-gained electricity. Contracts were carried out at the end of 2009, and since January 2010, the company is run by eco-power alone.
