Frischpack sees improved sales in 2019
Germany’s Frischpack Group reported successful results and above industry average growth for the 2019 financial year. Sales increased by 2.3% to 65,000 tons compared to 2018. The medium-sized group recorded sales of € 30 million, a 7% increase over 2018.
“Our strategic repositioning and consolidation course of the past two years are working. We used synergies, restructured work areas and set up a cross-group management team. As expected, this had a positive impact on efficiency, especially in the second half of 2019,” explained Marian Heinz, CEO of the Frischpack Group, which includes Frischpack in Mailling and Baackes & Heimes in Viersen.
As an example, the “Ferdi Fuchs” license brand, with which the cheese experts from Baackes & Heimes were able to expand their market position in the food retail sector in 2019, also contributed to sustainable success.
At the same time, Frischpack entered into a new agreement with Exquisa for the cutting and packaging of fresh cheese slices in the food service sector. Implementation has been taking place since January 2020.
Frischpack also pushed ahead with the digitalisation of processes. The focus in 2019 was on the introduction of a new ERP system (= Enterprise Resource Planning). Due to good preparation, the software solution for controlling all business processes was integrated without major friction losses.
The Frischpack Group got off to a very good start in the current year, but due to the coronavirus crisis, the company is currently experiencing sharp declines in the food service sector. The reason is the exit restrictions or the requirement to close the catering business.
“Fortunately we have a broad base with our locations in Mailling and Viersen,” said Heinz. “Due to the currently strong demand from our retail and co-packing partners, we can partially compensate for the decline in the food service sector.”
Frischpack is looking confidently towards the year, but is concentrating in order to quickly and situationally look at market developments and then react.
At the same time, the company continues to work hand in hand with customers and suppliers on sustainable packaging solutions. The aim is to test sensible and safe alternatives to the previous composite materials and to evaluate them for their suitability for production.
The company is also setting a sustainable milestone this year in Mailling. If the carbon emissions at this location have been reduced by more than 50% in recent years, the goal for this year is to produce in a climate-neutral manner.
“Sustainability is the focus of our entrepreneurial activities. So, it is only a logical step that we are taking this year, despite everything,” Heinz added.
