PETpla.net Insider 07+08 / 2011

BOTTLE MAKING 27 PET planet insider Vol. 12 No. 07+08/11 www.petpla.net Single stage feature part 2 - a visit at PET Power in the Netherlands Single-stage converters In developed markets, single-stage processes are primar- ily used for commodities such as containers for the phar- maceutical, cosmetic and food sectors. In the emerging markets such as in Asia, South America and Africa there is considerable single-stage activity, including packaging for the beverages sector. Looking more closely at Europe the single-stage converter business is in the hands of a colour- ful mixture of small size, medium size and large companies – with a noticeable trend to consolidation from smaller to larger, the larger ones usually simultaneously engaged in numerous other diversified business activities. experience.Their facility is located in the industrial zone of Etten Leur near Breda, in the West of the Neth- erlands at the hub of land and sea transport facilities. Not far away is a major competitor, Graham packag- ing. Both companies have common historical roots here in the Nether- lands. The company and its history The company was founded in 1995 by management of the former Skill Pack. Premises of PET Power are located just a few hundred metres away and today the original Skill Pack company is operated by competing Graham Packaging. In 2004 the US American John Raymonds bought PET Power and still is 100% owner. His commitment: “All we earn remains in the com- pany and is invested to propel our growth.” We visited PET Power in the Netherlands, in order to gain a close insight into a single stage converting company. PET Power, the Netherlands We met Marcel Schröder, Managing Director:“We are scrupu- lously open in our approach to single- stage and two-stage technologies…. for our projects so far we have not yet decided in favour of two-stage.” Of the converters listed above we have selected PET Power to visit and to learn about their business – for various and sound reasons: PET Power’s only business is to manufac- ture PET containers for the pharma- ceutical, cosmetic and food industries using single stage technology. No diversification, no resorting to other materials. PET Power is specialised, PET is core. The company is considered to be amongst the top 10 of European single-stage converters, and may even be amongst the top 3 consid- ering the variety of PET containers on offer. Moreover, PET Power was recommended for a visit by both suppliers of single-stage equipment, namely by Aoki as well as by Nissei ASB. Here - at PET Power - both brands consider that their designs are shown to best advantage. Managing Director Marcel Schröder – we noticed from the first telephone contacts – was open minded, spontaneous and willing to share with us his knowledge and Aoki machinery for cleanroom applica- tions by Wolfgang von Schroeter