Packservice realizes attractive and extraordinary packaging concepts for the point of sale. For over 40 years the Packservice Group has been working for in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for internationally known brands. These customers include industry giants from the pharmaceutical sector over cosmetics companies, to food and beverages suppliers. As a reliable partner for co-packing and value-added services, Packservice has functioning standards and processes, but adapt quickly to the customer requirements as well. Packservice can be there at short notice with trained personnel where the expertise is needed.
The Co-Packer stands for on-time delivery and large capacities. Customers benefit from the longstanding know-how, the flexible personnel, the modern ERP systems and the extensive machinery.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
PACKSERVICE: Founded in Karlsruhe in 1980, Packservice is one of the leading providers of high-quality packaging solutions and logistics services today, with around 30 locations and 1,400 employees in the D-A-CH region. Packservice specializes in the further processing of branded products in the field of secondary packaging. Packservice takes care of all packaging activities and product finishing in the field of co-packing, also using modern packaging machines. In addition, Packservice offers solutions for personnel-intensive handling services and concepts for logistics services. The family-owned company maintains long-standing relationships with well-known brand manufacturers in the FMCG industry.
E.E: What’s the news for 2021 about new products?
PACKSERVICE: Packservice has been following developments in the field of cobots for many years and is in exchange with universities and colleges. Some manufacturers have already been on site at the service provider’s production facilities to take a look at the work steps and processes. However, no robot has yet been able to reproduce the filigree and often complex activities faster and with the same quality. In order to be able to use a cobot profitably, one and the same process must be repeated millions of times.
Of course, this is not the case with the individual promotional campaigns that Packservice usually handles for its customers over several days and weeks. Nevertheless, the goal is clear: in the future, man and machine should work hand-in-hand. For this purpose, Packservice bought a cobot this year, which stacks ready-made packages on a pallet. When the pallet is full, the cobot detects this and automatically loads a second pallet. The special feature of the model introduced by Packservice is that it can be switched to a different package size within minutes and can therefore be used variably on different packaging lines. Due to the low speed at which the cobot palletizes, it can be used without additional safeguards. If an employee accidentally touches the robot’s gripper arm, it stops immediately. There is no risk of injury to employees. For Packservice, it is clear, that cobots cannot replace people in the complex packaging processes, such as setting up and stocking POS displays. Nevertheless, the company considers using more cobots in the future. However, the machines must bring exactly what manufacturers expect from Packservice: maximum flexibility.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
PACKSERVICE: Packaging and order picking are the classic activities in the co-packing business. The assembly of POS displays, the loading of trays and gift sets or the machine processing of products, for example in the form of flowpacks. In addition to its contract packaging activities, Packservice also takes on consulting tasks, such as optimizing the packaging process or developing packaging materials. In consultation with the customer elaborate product finishes are designed and advent calendar packaging is developed. Speed is the decisive component here and perfect interaction between packaging and transport logistics is required. Packservice can score points here, too: As part of the campus concept, the company operates on logistics space and can thus pass on finished goods without losing time. Even the purchase and storage of packaging materials can be handled by Packservice on request. In this way, the co-packer can ensure that even tightly scheduled campaigns can be realized on time.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
PACKSERVICE: Packservice maintains long-standing relationships with well-known brand manufacturers from the FMCG industry. The packaging company’s customers include companies from the food and pet food, cosmetics and healthcare sectors as well as pharmaceutical and industrial companies, ranging from medium-sized enterprises to corporate groups. The textile service division is also used by mail order companies and fashion labels. The company also supports start-ups with their (first) appearance at the point of sale.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
PACKSERVICE: For customers, there is one key issue in packaging – sustainability. The sustainability of packaging is influenced by three main factors: ecology, economy and social responsibility. Legal requirements and consumer demands must be considered, but also the production and logistics processes. For ecological and sustainable packaging, the carbon footprint is decisive. This can be achieved, for example, by reducing packaging materials and using renewable raw materials. This is where the Packservice Group comes in. For a well-known cosmetics manufacturer Packservice has successfully tested the first sleeves made of grass paper in retail stores. An alternative to the classic double pack with plastic sleeve. Further projects are already being planned.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
PACKSERVICE: Packservice supports its customers in achieving the goals of their own sustainability strategy. You don’t wait for the customer to request a special packaging solution; you have to act before the actual request. Packservice has introduced Loopos for this purpose. Loopos stands for sustainable POS solutions. The first solution is a reusable acryl display that can be placed in a visually appealing way in just a few steps. The reusable display is available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Benelux countries and offers attractive solutions for product presentation, especially for secondary placement.
Loopos is particularly suitable for medium-weight goods and can support a weight of up to 36 kg. It is suitable for ¼-pallets and dollies and, despite its light weight, offers products such as beverage bottles or foodstuffs maximum stability and protection during transport. Depending on the desired finishing variant, 70-90% corrugated board can be saved compared to a conventional display. With Loopos, transport damage can be reduced in the long term and the time and effort required to handle the transport can be minimized.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2021?
PACKSERVICE: Sustainable packaging is the key factor and most discussed topic in the industry. Customers are desperate to get information about new, ecological ways of packaging. Packservice expects a growth in the sector of packaging development.
