PETpla.net Insider 10 / 2010

REGIONAL MARKET REPORTS 18 PET planet insider Vol. 11 No. 10/10 www.petpla.net Strategies The strategy of SGT is quite clear: The focus of SGT has been, and will be on multiple products, i.e. on any size of volumes with lots of shapes and designs. According to Frederic Mignot: “There are no small or important customers, we are able to match everyone’s characteristics. However we stand truly by our traditional and existing customers in the market. They enjoy priority. We will not sacrifice 30 years of work, just to become the supplier of a few large and important principals”. SGT customers are located all over France and 35% of French production is exported to foreign fillers. Presently, SGT offers a complete range of performs for several fields of activity : Neck ring 30/25 high and low neck (13g to 55g)  Neck ring 29/25 (9g to 37g) – lighter preforms  Neck ring PCO 1810 (16g to 54g)  Neck ring PCO 1881 (18g to 24g) – lighter preforms  Neck ring BPF (20g to 54g)  Neck ring 38 (14g to 48g)  Neck ring 48/40 (85g to 95g)  Neck ring 21/29 (22g to 28g)  Neck ring 28/410 (19g to 40g)  Neck ring BVS 30 H (40g to 54g)  For particular applications, SGT uses some additives or blends, to give the preforms UV barrier, oxygen, CO 2 characteristics. The plant is suitably equipped to use recycled material at any possible and approved rates. Asked about the future, his expectations and about SGT in 5 years time, Frédéric Mignot replied: “We go for continued diversification of products for a demanding  clientele cost reduction by optimising and increasing our produc-  tivity. one environmental policy through a widespread use of  recycled materials, and one (already important) commit- ment to reduce the weight of packaging. Machine suppliers need to understand the nature of our business and the business of our customers. For SGT a reduction in cycle time is welcome, but of relatively little significance. What we primarily require for our business is systems - reliable and easy to operate (including mould changes), of high quality and adapted to our specific manu- facturing enviroment.” During the interview, with SGT, Husky and PETplanet at the table, inevitably we were convinced that the coopera- tion between converter SGT and machine maker Husky has already produced satisfactory results - and not in 5 years time but already today. March 18, 2010 Serac in La Ferté Bernard ”Serac has a philosophy which is both simple and efficient: Control the filling technology from A to Z.” F.l.t.r.: Xavier Gourlaouen, General Manager FDB, Fabienne Chériaux and Aymeric Vague, both Marketing Managers, Serac One needs to be determined and very insistent to visit Serac. Because finding Serac in Pays de Loire, near Le Mans, is a challenge even with Tom Tom satellite naviga- tion - no signposting! But we managed, and it was worth our while to see this manufacturer of filling and capping machines, who specialises in aseptic and hygienic lines. There we met: Fabienne Chériaux and Aymeric Vague , both of whom are marketing managers, recently employed as this mid-size company apparently saw the need not only to excel in technology, but also to promote their excellence in the market. Then we also saw Xavier Gourlaouen , the General Manager of the Food Dairy and Beverages (FDB) Divi- sion, one of the company’s technical experts who left no questions unanswered and toured with us through the fac- tory of FDB. Company history in the region Serac started as a one-man/one-family company 40 years ago, owned by the Graffin family. Today the manage- ment owns 15%, and financial investors another 15%, leav- ing the Graffin family with the majority in balance. Product and population The product line consists of machines for filling, dosing and capping. In-house technology and expertise are focussed on very sensitive products such as UHT and Extended Shelf Life milks, functional drinks and sensitive products such as refrigerated dairy beverages, fruits juices with pulp and added vitamins... and challenging products regarding foaming sensivity, shelf life, oxygen, sterility etc.