PETpla.net Insider 07+08 / 2020

TOP TALK 11 PETplanet Insider Vol. 21 PETplanet: What is the feedback of your customers? Are you able to support them? Do they have special needs - different needs - since the pandemic? GDXL: Our worldwide customers have been affected to different extents according to their regions. Due to border control we support overseas customers through online means, logistics or local representatives. Their needs are somehow as usual which include shortening delivery time, fast trouble-shooting response, etc. PETplanet: What about machine manufacturing: do you think that the running systems worked well during the Covid-19 period? Can on-site service continue despite high demands? GDXL: Plants with high degree of intelligent control and automated development may suffer less in produc- tion. Safe and reasonable work shift adjustments can also help maintain normal running of production sys- tems as far as possible. It is less feasible to provide on-site service in person especially for over- seas customers. Providing technical support through online means or local pro- fessional resources may help. PETplanet: What out- comes and experiences of the crisis will be incorpo- rated in future overall plant designs? GDXL: In our opinion, more intelligent elements will be incorporated in future plant designs. Application of unmanned infrastructure, software and IOT systems can improve productivity and precision. It also reduces close human contact, lower- ing contagious risks. The crisis may accelerate such development. Such experience may also be considered in designing employees’ amenities. For instance, more spacious and hygienic facilities may be applied. But perhaps the post-crisis improvement will be more reflected in plant man- agement. We will see more sophisti- cated safety precautions, flexible work shift arrangements and employees’ training. PETplanet: What will be the future strategy of GDXL? Is there anything special you would like to tell our read- ers, your customers? GDXL: Throughout the years we have evolved from merely a mould manufacturer to an engineering part- ner providing complete solutions for PET packaging. Since 2018, together with our partners, we have launched complete preform production systems with optional multilayer capabilities. This opens opportunities for our cus- tomers to keep up with the forefront of market trends. www.gdxl.com