Handtmann has officially opened a new assembly hall at its production site in Biberach, Upper Swabia, after a construction period of around one and a half years. The Filling and Portioning Systems division, forming part of the diversified Handtmann Group of Companies, has thereby invested around 14 million euros in the expansion of its production capacities. With this move, the specialist for cross-process technology solutions in food processing thus underlines its commitment to growth.
Harald Suchanka, CEO/CSO, and Dr. Mark Betzold, CTO of the Filling and Portioning Systems division, invited company management and staff to the official inauguration of the state-of-the-art assembly facilities on the occasion of a summer party. “With this investment, we are not only securing existing jobs, but also creating new prospects for the future. By expanding our production capacities, we are now in a position to meet the increasing demands of our customers even better. Short delivery times and a high level of availability are a must nowadays and with this new assembly hall we are ideally equipped to live up to these expectations,” states Dr. Mark Betzold in his opening speech.
Synchronised assembly for scalability in production
Upon commissioning of the new hall, Handtmann switches its assembly process to synchronised assembly. This new process involves assembling vacuum fillers in various stages along with corresponding pre-assembly steps. Synchronised assembly helps optimise workstations and workflows, reduce throughput times and at the same time make production quantities more flexibly scalable. Markus Handtmann was also present as a representative of company management: “With the introduction of this new production method, the Filling and Portioning Systems division is moving into a highly demanding manufacturing process that requires a great deal of commitment and flexibility from its employees,” acknowledges Markus Handtmann, addressing the workforce and expressly thanking them for their openness to the transformation. Dr. Mark Betzold added: “This hall not only symbolises our unwavering innovative strength and commitment to maximum quality, but also our determination to always be one step ahead. We are convinced that this investment in state-of-the-art technologies and first-class working conditions will give us the decisive edge to further strengthen and expand our global market position. He concluded by thanking the Handtmann shareholders for the investment made and everybody involved for the dedicated realisation of this pioneering project.
Handtmann Filling and Portioning Systems on course for growth
The Handtmann Filling and Portioning Systems division forms part of the owner-managed Handtmann Group of Companies based in the southern German town of Biberach. As a leading manufacturer of process technology for food processing, this division offers modular, integrative line solutions from product preparation all the way through to the packaging solution. The range of products is flanked by process-supporting digital solutions developed in-house. At the same time, investments are being made in sustainable food innovation concepts, which also includes the state-of-the-art technology and customer centres at the company headquarters. The Handtmann Group of Companies employs around 4,300 people worldwide, of which around 1,500 in the Filling and Portioning Systems division. The company is represented in over 100 countries around the world with numerous subsidiaries and sales and service partners, and also operates a comprehensive network of strategic partnerships.