On the fast track together
With Akarton, Progroup now has a strong, new partner by its side at its Schüttorf packaging park. The two companies are working together to create a state-of-the-art production network with short distances, maximum efficiency and a clear strategy for growth.
When Akarton managing director Mike Noldus talks about his company’s new site at the Schüttorf packaging park, some of the comments he makes sound like the boss of a racing team analysing a race just before it starts. It’s all about speed, precision, technique, teamwork and the unwavering desire to lead the race from the front. With Akarton GmbH joining the packaging park, the two long-standing partners are sending a strong signal for growth, innovation and cooperation based on partnership. At the same time, the project shows how “Get Ready To Race” can be implemented in the company’s business operations. This new set-up in Schüttorf means that processes can now be organised even more efficiently, transport distances can be shortened and the number of required handling steps can be reduced. The decision to choose Schüttorf was an obvious one for Akarton. The Dutch packaging specialist has been producing a wide variety of primarily customised corrugated board solutions at its main site in Venlo for many years. But it became clear that in the fast-growing e-commerce market it is becoming increasingly important to be close to the customer. “The region around Schüttorf has lots of companies that require large-volume packaging,” explains Mike Noldus. “Up until now, the physical distance to this market has noticeably limited our opportunities for growth.”
This changes fundamentally with the company’s additional site in Schüttorf. The direct link to the PW05 corrugated sheetboard production not only creates shorter distances; above all it delivers significant efficiency gains. “There’s no longer any need to transport consignments between sites. This gives us a much better starting position.” This is exactly what makes Progroup’s packaging park principle so strong: manufacturing and further processing are closely interlinked physically, logistically and digitally. Transport distances are shortened, delivery times are reduced and processes are made much more efficient. For Akarton, this provides the ideal basis for embarking on the next step on its growth path.
“There’s no longer any need to transport consignments between sites.”
Customised rather than standardised
But the company is remaining true to its core strategy. Akarton produces hardly any standardised products. “We only make customised products,” stresses Noldus. Synergies are being created between the Venlo and Schüttorf sites. While special solutions and a wide range of different packaging concepts will continue to be produced in Venlo, the focus at the Schüttorf site will be more on delivering larger series efficiently. For Progroup, the new partnership also means that the network of independent packaging manufacturers is being strengthened. The successful packaging parks model is being maintained consistently. The plant is designed to deliver maximum speed and efficiency. Processes link together seamlessly. Material flows are automated. Any lost time is consistently avoided.
“We plan to make the whole process fully automated right up to when the end product is shipped to the customer. In the future, there won’t even be any need for a forklift. Only the truck making the delivery will not drive itself,” says Mike Noldus. The focus is very much on state-of-the-art technology. At the heart of the new Akarton plant is an installation that the company claims will be the world’s fastest processing machine of its type. “We’ll be one of the most modern processing plants in Central Europe,” says the managing director.
As modern as the technology in Schüttorf may be, Mike Noldus believes that the most important ingredient for the working relationship is trust. The link between Akarton and Progroup stretches right back to 1993. Over many decades, this has led to the development of a close partnership. “Trust is almost more important to me than a contract,” says Noldus. Personal interaction within the Professionals Academy has also consolidated the working relationship between the two companies. With this in mind, he describes the cooperation in Schüttorf as a partnership focused on delivering solutions. In any project of this magnitude, this really is crucial.
“A reduced carbon footprint thanks to closely interlinked production and logistics processes.”
Sustainability as part of performance
However, performance is not the only thing that matters to Akarton. Sustainability is another key reason why the company is investing in the southern part of Lower Saxony. The main site in Venlo has already been awarded Ecovadis Platinum. The intention is that the site in Schüttorf should achieve this level as well. This is why the company specifically looks for energy-efficient and resource-efficient plants. “The state-of-the-art machine will consume a very low amount of electricity and water per box,” explains Noldus. Ancillary facilities such as compressed air systems or water treatment have also been designed consistently with emission reduction and efficiency in mind. This reflects the philosophy of the packaging park model: fewer consignments transported, less energy consumed and a reduced carbon footprint thanks to closely interlinked production and logistics processes.
Ahead of the curve
It became apparent at an early stage that the market sees great potential at this new site. A number of interested parties came forward even before an extensive marketing campaign began. “The level of demand materialised faster than we expected,” reports Noldus. The project also displayed a surprisingly strong dynamic when it came to recruitment. “We currently have a waiting list of people who really want to work for us.” Particularly in an era when there is a shortage of skilled workers, this is not the norm. This gives the managing director a clear goal: to achieve the highest levels of performance even better and faster than planned within the next two years.
On track: The Schüttorf site is renowned for the successful cooperation with the packaging park customer Akarton
Background: Schüttorf packaging park
Progroup has been operating its PW05 corrugated sheetfeeder plant at its Schüttorf site since 2005. When the plant first started operating, it was considered to be one of the most modern and efficient anywhere in Europe. In 2010, Progroup teamed up with a partner to expand the site into a packaging park.
The principle behind this is that corrugated sheetboard production and further processing are directly linked together physically, logistically and digitally. The companies remain commercially independent, but work together closely via automated processes and digital interfaces. This reduces transportation, makes deliveries more reliable and significantly improves the level of flexibility and response time.
With Akarton, Progroup has now gained a new, growth focused further processing partner and is consistently pursuing its successful model.