SYNTEGON LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
In an exclusive interview with Fin Slater, Dr Michael Grosse, Syntegon’s newly minted CEO, talks strategic priorities, sustainability perspectives, and the challenges of rebranding an iconic and established organization. FS: Until early January, Syntegon had been trading as Bosch Packaging Technology for 50 years. What was the reasoning behind a complete rebrand and what challenges does this pose to an established brand like Bosch? MG: At the beginning of this year, Syntegon presented itself as an independent company under a new brand. Processing and packaging for a better life – that is our mission. We remain a global partner for the pharmaceutical and food industries and provide our customers with even more intelligent and sustainable solutions. The main reason for the brand change is that our company is no longer part of the Bosch Group. Our new owner is the private equity and investment advisory firm CVC Capital Partners. With Bosch, of course, we are losing a famous brand with high appeal. However, as Syntegon we will sharpen our profile as a leading processing and packaging company and use the opportunity to optimize our products and services as well as our structures and processes to make them an even better fit for our customers.
FS: Can we expect any significant changes in direction following the rebrand and change of ownership?
MG: With up to 150 years of experience in individual machines, systems and services, Syntegon sets standards when it comes to developing innovative packaging and processing solutions and delivering tailored manufacturing processes designed to make high-quality products with utmost reliability. Our customers appreciate us for our reliable machines that enable smooth, efficient and safe production. In the future we want to further extend these close partnerships with our customers. We will inspire the food and pharma industry with future-oriented solutions and contribute to the overall economic success of our customers. The newly gained independence enables us to be faster and even more flexible. While we used to be part of a large corporation with different divisions and a fixed organizational structure, Syntegon can now create a business framework that is leaner and an even better fit for the industry with a stronger focus on the key challenges and demands of our customers.
FS: What do you identify as your strategic priorities as a business over the coming year? MG: ‘Customers first’ is our motto. Driven by the spirit of partnership with our customers, we are striving to improve the value of our solutions as well as our processes. We want to become faster and easier to do business with. This ambition includes, for example, reducing response times to customer enquiries or improving our service delivery. We will build on our deep technical expertise and application knowledge, paired with a comprehensive portfolio of products and services, driven by our relentless aim to become better, faster and more efficient in everything we do. Of course, the coronavirus is on everyone’s mind and unites us in acting safely and responsibly. We have to lead our company, partners and families safely through this unprecedented crisis. Since the beginning, Syntegon has been continuously and closely monitoring the developments related to the spread of the virus. We regularly evaluate and adapt our actions in line with our values to never compromise the health and safety of our people.
FS: Sustainability is a topic that is currently dominating packaging-related Dr Michael Grosse has been CEO of Syntegon since March 2020 (formerly Bosch Packaging Technology).
discussions. What can machinery manufacturers like Syntegon do to help produce eco-friendly packaging solutions? How is Syntegon contributing to the needs of sustainability in terms of its packaging machinery portfolio and R&D? Packaging Europe | 27 |
