Ebersdorf bei Coburg, February 26, 2024 +++ The Schumacher Packaging Group, one of Europe's largest manufacturers of customized corrugated and solid board packaging (www.schumacher-packaging.com), closed 2023 with higher sales than the industry average. With annual sales of around EUR 940 million, the medium-sized company nevertheless recorded a decline in sales of around 21%. The number of employees currently stands at around 4,000. In addition to the economic downturn, falling paper prices and one-off effects were the main reasons for this development. As an industry pioneer in the areas of digitalization and innovation, Schumacher Packaging focuses on sustainable packaging solutions.

The year 2023 was characterized by inflation and an economic downturn - these challenges did not leave the Schumacher Packaging Group unscathed. The company recorded the largest decline in sales of 47% due to the sharp drop in paper production prices and modernization work on the paper machine in Myszkow, which led to a six-month shutdown. In addition, the volume of corrugated and solid board products sold by the company fell by 6.5%.

Compared to the overall market, which fell by 9.1% in the core markets of Germany and BeNeLux by 10%, the family-owned company can therefore look back on a solid result. "In view of the one-off effects that had a negative impact on business, we are satisfied that we were able to close our financial year moderately in these difficult times. We are in a good market position, especially in view of the disproportionately strong growth we have recorded in recent years," explains Björn Schumacher, Managing Director of the Schumacher Packaging Group.

Modernization leads to special effects

The packaging specialist's turnover was impacted by modernizations and the associated production interruptions. For example, the high-performance corrugator at the Ebersdorf plant was completely rebuilt and modernized in the first half of 2023. This also resulted in downtime of several weeks at the main plant. The modernization and expansion to double the capacity of the paper machine in Myszkow was undertaken with a view to sustainability as well as energy and fibre efficiency. Following a successful start-up in January, it is now running above plan again and producing paper of the highest quality.

Future strength through innovation and technologies

"We were able to hold our own in a challenging economic situation because we strive for genuine innovation and individual solutions. Right now, it is crucial to focus on future-oriented developments," says Schumacher. "We are making packaging even more efficient and sustainable so that it meets the requirements of the future. That's one reason why manufacturers and retailers come to us."

This is evident, for example, in the use of future technologies such as high-performance digital printing, which is currently considered the most flexible and sustainable printing process on the market. Schumacher Packaging is the industry leader in this area. The focus is also on the automation and integration of process steps in corrugated board production. In this way, the company ensures digital, more efficient workflows, the careful use of resources and can offer new possibilities in the design of packaging.

Focusing on the needs of the market

The most forward-looking and sustainable packaging solutions that meet the current and growing needs of the market are paper-based solutions. The family-run company has already implemented these for numerous sectors and even makes them possible for large household appliances - without the use of polystyrene. In the food and retail sectors, they are implemented with the help of bio-based protective barriers. For e-commerce, Schumacher Packaging offers continuous barcodes and QR codes that are printed directly onto packaging, flexible and optimized solutions made of continuous corrugated board as well as variable volumes to reduce air in packaging and speed up production processes.

Despite the ongoing recession, the managing directors are optimistic about the year ahead. "With our innovative strength, we are making a real contribution to sustainability and resource conservation and bringing about change. We are also focusing on this this year," says Björn Schumacher.