May 2014, Metzingen, Germany - Storopack has made a good start to the current financial year. Just as in the previous year, the group, which is represented in 51 locations across 13 countries, has recorded a positive business performance in North America, South America, Europe, SE Asia and India. In 2013, the group achieved consolidated revenue of approximately 316 million euros. In 2012, consolidated revenue was around 324 million euros. The fall resulted from the level of orders in the eastern coastal area of China, which was greatly affected by the relocation of customers in the electrical and electronics industry to central China and other Asian countries. Storopack ended the 2013 financial year with a good profit: better than the previous year, and above target. This success is the result of continued investment in the development of products, production techniques and distribution.

Storopack's 2013 revenue reached approximately 195 million euros in Europe, while in North and South America, it amounted to about 74 million euros, and in Asia around 47 million euros. At present, the company employs 2,362 people, 625 of whom are in Germany. A reduction of about 150 employees was attributed to adjustments in the Molding division in China. Due to the good business environment, the number of employees in Germany rose by 38 compared to the previous year.

Milestones and innovations in 2013

Storopack continues to expand its presence in emerging markets. A milestone in 2013 was the opening of sites in Pune (India) and Bangkok (Thailand).

Over the last year, Storopack has introduced more innovations and improvements to its product ranges. The PAPERplus? Classic? machine system is ergonomically optimised. New film types in the AIRplus? (air cushion) product range offer an alternative to bubble wrap. There are even new products in the classic range of pourable padding materials: the acquisition of the loose fill (packaging chips) activities of FP International UK Ltd, including the Brackley factory, on 1 January 2014, means that Storopack has increased its UK production capacity for this product line.

The group has invested in production process optimisation and facilities for its development department, in order to improve development and production of individual protective packaging and plastic foam technical mouldings. Storopack is expanding its temperature-controlled transport range with pre-qualified system solutions.

Energy and raw material prices

Energy and raw material costs in the sector are at record levels. Storopack is meeting this challenge with investment in energy-saving production processes and in developing products which offer the same benefits while using less raw material.

Storopack is a specialist in the field of protective packaging. Its product portfolio encompasses both customized and flexible packaging systems and their integration into customer packaging processes. The services provided by the internationally active company group based in Metzingen (Germany) are performed by the two divisions - Molding and Packaging.

Storopack India Private Limited, Pune. Mobile: 098236-71144. Email: packaging.india@storopack.com