CRAILSHEIM, GERMANY — Despite the extraordinary global challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, packaging machine manufacturer Gerhard Schubert GmbH announced that it had posted a positive business result above its pandemic-related forecast adjustments at the beginning of the year, reporting an increase in turnover of 2.5% in the 2020 financial year, representing sales of total of 281 million euros ($329.8 million USD). The company credited the increase to cautious management and dedicated commitment to its 1,450 employees during the pandemic. Driven by growth in the US and Europe, Schubert said it experienced a 25% increase in incoming orders compared with the previous fiscal year.
“Thanks to the measures implemented to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on our operations, we have a very low number of employees who fell ill overall. We have been and continue to be able to work and deliver to our customers at all times,” explained Peter Gabriel, commercial managing director of Gerhard Schubert GmbH.
The company has also benefitted from its digital technology advances, according to Marcel Kiessling, managing director, sales and service. “Our capabilities for virtual machine approvals, AR-supported service processes and digitally supported commissioning at customer sites have naturally proven very successful in customer support in 2020 and will continue to be an important focus of our development in the coming years,” Kiessling said.
Despite restrictions on travel and availability of service staff, Schubert also achieved a significant service revenue increase. “A key focus is to increase and optimize performance tracking,” Kiessling noted. “Added to this is the customization of our services – flexible and adaptable to specific customer requirements.”
In the US and Europe, Schubert’s growth is driven by its preconfigured lightline machine series, as well as advances in the development of tools for process optimization using predictive maintenance (GRIPS.world), on-demand 3D printing processes for additive manufacturing in plastics and metal, and sustainable packaging solutions, as well as a strong focus on consulting.
“Thanks to the measures implemented to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on our operations, we have a very low number of employees who fell ill overall. We have been and continue to be able to work and deliver to our customers at all times,” explained Peter Gabriel, commercial managing director of Gerhard Schubert GmbH.
Schubert has also invested heavily in technology innovation such as robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). “We have been intensifying our research activities in the field of robotics technology for some time,” said Ralf Schubert, managing partner. “With AI projects in the field of robotics and image processing, we are making a decisive contribution to the ongoing professionalization and future viability of the entire packaging industry. Added to this is the development of innovative assemblies for our TLM machines as well as our first collaborative robot and progress on TITAN, our packaging systems’ digital twin.”
The innovation has also led to increased sustainability in Schubert’s production processes packaging materials development.
“The future belongs to environmentally friendly packaging materials such as cardboard trays or fiber-based films which can be used flexibly on a packaging line,” Kiessling said.
Looking ahead, plans are already underway for orders in 2022. In the second half of 2021, construction of the company’s new assembly hall will begin as part of the planned further expansion of the Crailsheim site, which is projected to add up to 300 new employees.
