Südpack Kłobuck is now one of the group’s key competence centers in flexographic printing and packaging finishing. In economically and politically challenging conditions, the company represents for the packaging and printing industries an example of consistently implemented development strategy. On 28 November, the Polish plant belonging to the Südpack group headquartered in Ochsenhausen in Upper Swabia celebrated its 10th anniversary, with numerous honorary guests and representatives of the company’s management in attendance.
Südpack’s presence in Kłobuck began with the acquisition in 2015 of the Polish company Bahpol, specializing in packaging finishing. After being integrated into the group’s organizational structure, the existing business profile was maintained and the plant focused on finishing flexible films, including via flexographic printing. In the following years, intensive expansion of the production infrastructure and technological base was carried out in order to adapt manufacturing capacity to rising market demand and changing market conditions. At the same time, employment was increased to staff new lines and equipment throughout the packaging finishing process. These changes gradually transformed the Kłobuck plant from an entity mainly engaged in packaging finishing into a major European competence center for flexographic printing.
Plant expansion and investments in machinery
In recent years, a broad investment program has been implemented in Kłobuck, covering both the expansion of production space and the modernization and enlargement of the machinery fleet. In total, production area was increased by 15,000 m². Around 1,000 m² were added in 2016, while a further 14,000 m² were built between 2020 and 2022. The expansion of infrastructure went hand in hand with a rise in employment: the number of employees grew from around 90 to 330.
At the same time, significant investments were made in new machines used throughout the finishing process. The objective was to respond more effectively and quickly to increasing customer demand and to maintain the plant’s competitiveness in the dynamically changing plastic packaging market. As the company emphasizes, in terms of its machinery as well as its developing capabilities in packaging finishing, the plant strives to systematically adapt to changing market conditions.
From Bahpol to Südpack competence center
Carolin Grimbacher, managing partner of the Südpack group, describes the decision to acquire the former Bahpol as one of the key development moves in the region. “The acquisition of the then Bahpol company was absolutely the right decision. Within a relatively short period, the plant has evolved from an entity engaged in packaging finishing into a major European competence center for flexographic printing. We are fully convinced that we will continue the Südpack success story in Kłobuck in the years to come!”
The development of the Kłobuck plant is in line with Südpack’s strategy of strengthening its position in segments requiring advanced technologies for processing and finishing films. The flexographic printing capabilities developed in Poland are an important complement to the company’s global production capacities in plastic packaging.
Celebrating the plant’s 10th anniversary
The plant’s 10th anniversary was celebrated in Kłobuck with employees and numerous honorary guests. The ceremony took place in a winter setting, and representatives of Südpack’s management board came to the plant: CTO Carolin Grimbacher, CEO Thorsten Seehars and COO Christoph Angstl. In their speeches, they referred to the company’s development path to date, the role of the plant within the group’s structure and the importance of investments implemented in recent years.
The speeches highlighted both the importance of Kłobuck as a European competence center in flexographic printing and the workforce’s contribution to the results achieved. Representatives of the company’s management particularly emphasized the commitment and readiness to act of the plant’s employees, identifying them as one of the key drivers of development. During the ceremony, thanks were expressed to the entire staff for their work and contribution to building the plant’s position within the group.
