Verstraete IML is upping its game, leaving no time for this in-mould labelling market leader to rest on its laurels after a successful 2014.
Verstraete
Indeed, the international company is investing in more people, more hardware, better technology and improved infrastructure to guarantee excellence for its customers.
In 2014, Verstraete embarked upon a major recruitment drive, growing the business to 70 employees, with 10 positions currently being advertised to bring more expertise and knowledge to the organisation.
Koen Verstraete, CEO, stated: "We strive to offer added value to you and to all our partners in the packaging industry. How? With proactive technical advice. For that reason we consciously invest in the talent of our people. We mould them into specialists who use their professional knowledge to make the difference."
Furthermore, Verstraete is progressing with its mission to bring its customers the best service. The organisation is currently running at maximum capacity, which needs to be increased to accommodate the growth the company anticipates in the short-to-medium term: from sales of €100 million to €180 million in 2020. Verstraete also hopes to achieve a delivery period of two to three weeks.
Verstraete will be putting three new pritning presses into use by March 2015, representing a 20 per cent increase in production capacity. One of these is a UV press: a new technology that will extend the company's reach. It states it currently meet 80 per cent of its customers' requirements, but has a a number one goal of 90 per cent. This will be possible with the innovative UV technology, because it can also be used for high-gloss labels and reverse print (printing on the back of the label). Allowing Verstraete to serve two new markets in one stroke.
Naturally, new machines need more production space, which is why Verstraete is constructing a brand new building in 2014 and 2015 at its site in Maldegem, Belgium. The ground floor will become additional production space and the first floor will provide room for more offices. This infrastructure expansion will enable Verstraete to achieve its plans for growth. It is scheduled to be in use by January 2016.
“We have clear plans to grow," said Verstraete.
