Different by nature

Labeling machines and labeling systems. Etipack has recently joined the Possehl group. A group with a history of 170 years and which, for over a century, comes under a  foundation whose statute plans to allocate part of the profits generated in charitable works in the Lübeck area - with a focus on the environment, education and training - but also to reinvest part of the profits in the development of the companies that are part of it or in further acquisitions.
In the interview with Marco Parretti, new CEO, a report on the state of the art and perspectives of this "new" reality.
Stefano Lavorini

Cinisello Balsamo, 31 January 2020. I return to the Etipack SpA headquarters, a concern featuring labeling and coding systems using self-adhesive labels, friction feeders and pick-n-place for the distribution and handling of products, recently acquired by a foreign group...

The pictures are still on the walls, almost as a manifest sign of continuity with the past, though they only constitute a small amount of those present at the time of Gianni Valentino (ex-president of the company), but in any case they surprise one and add a bit of poeticism, as is always the case.

I sit facing the CEO Marco Parretti, whom I have known for almost thirty years: in his gestures and words I perceive the fresh whiff of a change that is consolidating, day by day, starting out from a history and a practice experienced as a precious legacy.

The new Etipack, born from the acquisition completed in mid 2019 by the German group Possehl of Lübeck, Identification Solutions division, is like a plant that grows following the natural course of the seasons.

The value is in people. Of course, those called "the older brothers" or the founding members who have managed the concern since 1978, are no longer in the company. Now, in fact, it is led by a management made entirely of people - and it is no coincidence - grown within this reality.

This is probably the main merit of the previous owner, that is to say that of having been able to build over time, not only a company recognized among the sector leaders in Italy and among the largest in Europe with branches and subsidiaries in the world, but a group of young executives, who did not identify with the professionally capable and committed shareholders, and who enabled the  transition from the old to the new management to be achieved in just a month.

Women and men who mirror the founding values of the company associated with innovation, ethics, transparency in activities and actions, which, Parretti assures us, remain unchanged even today.

Changing in continuity. «Being part of the Possehl group, 3.7 billion in turnover, with almost 200 companies, mainly in Europe, but also in the rest of the world, has not changed the family atmosphere that, in Cinisello Balsamo, has always characterized our work environment» states Parretti.

Thanks to a "soft" strategy applied by the new owner, the identity of Etipack has been safeguarded, thus remaining a powerful competitive factor.
And this, only apparently, despite the fact that in the Identification Solutions division - one of the 9 divisions operating in very diversified sectors - there are companies that also produce similar products, including Logopak Systeme GmbH & Co.KG, Novexx Solutions GmbH (ex Avery Dennison, from whom many of the "older brothers" came, Ed.), as well as Eidos srl.

«Important synergies are already taking place within the division that reward the respective areas of competence and excellence. But it is equally true that all the companies mentioned above remain autonomous, so much so that, for example, they will be present at Interpack with their own stand without obvious references to the group» says the manager.

Under the sign of diversification. With its labeling machines and friction feeders, Etipack is a partner to numerous companies operating in the food, cosmetics, chemical, pharmaceutical, paper converting and industrial sectors.

And this both with a direct presence at the end users and through the OEM channel, which has always been extremely significant.

Attention to technological development continues, faithful to the principle of offering a good quality product at a reasonable price.
«In particular, a lot has also been done in the direction of adapting the labeling machines to Industry 4.0 requirements» underlines Parretti.
«In this context, we have developed proposals that are also sustainable from an economic point of view. In fact, without modifying the machines, interfaces have been created that facilitate dialogue with the company network and/or remote access.

Today, among our primary objectives  lies the consolidation of the  experience gained and the market position achieved in the pharmaceutical sector, which, we recall, by virtue of the regulations on the traceability of products, has made important investments in recent years».

An organization for the future. The current year certainly does not lack opportunities to best present oneself to the market, as the CEO points out.
At the most important fair of 2020, Düsseldorf's Interpack, new solutions will be presented to further increase the quality level of the offer.

Pharma Round for the application of self-adhesive labels on cylindrical bottles, specific for the pharmaceutical environment and designed according to GMP guidelines

As an example, a system for the labeling of cylindrical flacons "full optional"  and with a new more pharma type design, as well as the new friction feeder with stepper motors.

Sistema 9 Light applying labels (anti-shoplifting) on the open flap of hanging cartons.

But at the German fair, Etipack will also bring classic solutions for other sectors, including an automatic top/bottom labeling machine for trays, and some best sellers among the pick & place separators, which are produced in Soncino (CR).

As for the Cosmopack in Bologna, a front and back labeling system for bottles and an automatic machine for applying labels (anti-shoplifting) on the open flap of hanging cartons will be exhibited.

And Parretti concludes: «A great commitment, which testifies to our ability to be proactive and competitive, strengthened by the skills built up in the company in recent years, as well as the commitment and desire to work together with the aim of growing. We have figures of value at all levels and this is our real strength».