1. A brief idea about packaging Industry in your opinion? How does BERHALTER AG play a role in the Packaging Industry?

Die-cutting is a piece in the complete supply chain of a final product. But nor the less it decides significantly about success. What die-cutting solution you choose decides about appearance of the packaging, sustainability, quality as well as efficiency.

Over the last few years, BERHALTER has reacted continuously and highly flexible to increase market demands and has introduced a number of innovations to the market. Alongside its capacity for constant innovation, BERHALTER is synonymous with the production of efficient and customer-oriented die-cutting systems. We specialise in the manufacturing of user-friendly but high productive die-cutting machines.

2. “Smart packaging will become interactive with consumers“ What is your perception in this regard? Please give a brief idea about BERHALTER AG.

Smart packages offer properties that meet the special needs of certain foods. The R&D department at BERHALTER works very tight together with our customers as well as brand owners to develop on one hand active packaging solutions, which provides functionality such as special opening aids for convenient products and on the other hand intelligent packaging solutions, which incorporates features that indicate status or communicate product changes and other information.

3. How did you get involved in the Packaging industry? Your key activities at work? What is the most rewarding part of your work?

We have noticed already since a couple of years that we taking more and more part as a consultant and think tank for all important brand-names. BERHALTER has developed in the past together with their R&D department's a whole slew of new packaging ideas. Due to the fact that we have a deep and extensive experience in both high-performance die-cutting machines as well as high-precision punching tools we are an absolute ideal partner on one hand for the optimization of an existing die-cutting process and on the other hand for creating new prospective packaging solutions.

4. With years of experience in packaging – what would you estimate as the most important challenges for the packaging industry in the future? How do you overcome these challenges?

As materials become ever more complex, thinner and more sensitive, and quality demands grow stricter, a perfect interplay between automatic die-cutting machines and die-cutting tools is more important than ever before.

BERHALTER specialises in the production of complete die-cutting systems and is the world’s only manufacturer of flatbed die-cutting machines with its own tool-making department.

We stay with our customers throughout the entire die-cutting process and offer unique individuality as well as customised production optimisations.

BERHALTER machines have no limitations in terms of foil thickness or function; they can die-cut every type of packing lids. Intricate lid and label geometries, as well as a wide range of different materials, can be optimally processed and die-cut to perfection. There’s no compromise when it comes to accuracy in form and quality when cutting with BERHALTER die-cutting systems.

5 What are the opportunities in the packaging industry? Does Packaging and Labelling pay a vital role for other product industries? What is one thing about the industry that you would change?

We live in a world where styles change constantly and fresh images are always in demand. With a BERHALTER die-cutting solution our customers are aware of these changes. Our unique BERHALTER flexibility highlights the ability to react very fast and stay ahead of the trends.

Across the world, BERHALTER die-cutting machines are at the start of numerous packaging solutions, fulfilling all customer requirements.

This applies for flat packaging lids out of aluminium or polyester, such as Nestlé yoghurt lids, as well as for packaging lids with relief impressions, like Philadelphia lids for cheese spread. Deep-drawn aluminium lids as those used for pet food like Sheba or Cesar enhances the extensive range of product opportunities. But BERHALTER die-cutting machines can also be used to produce paper labels, e.g. on beer bottles and labels for IML applications, such as those on Starbucks coffee cups.

We have the unique possibility to supply die-cutting machines and tools according to the specific market demand.

6. How would you expect the influence of social media platforms and different communication behaviours on product and marketing campaigns?

For BERHALTER marketing campaigns are the main method for both communicating with our market to reinforce our positioning, and for customer acquisition. But we are using for our marketing purposes especially magazines, trade publications and subject-specific internet platforms.

Social media platforms should be taken into consideration primarily by the brand owner to develop an emotional tie to their products.

7. Could you share with us your key plans for the future? Your packaging dream?

BERHALTER is open minded and a Switzerland based highly innovative and dynamic competence centre with 54 years of experience in the field of high-tech die-cutting equipment. We will continue to improve efficiency and to focus consistently on the success markets of our customers.

8. I'm sure the economy is impacting your business in a direct/indirect way - can you share your experiences? What are the market opportunities for Packaging Industry in the next few years?

A BERHALTER roll-to-roll flatbed die-cutting system has proven to meet all requirements in an economic way. This highly accurate and efficient system for die-cutting foil and film fits perfectly into the most economic reel-to-reel production systems.

The processes before finally cutting the lid and label contour are certainly additionally influencing the overall costs of the lids and labels. Certainly the most material saving arrangement possible should be chosen. The printing arrangement depends to the nesting possibilities of the die-cutting system. Basically on a roll-fed flatbed die-cutting machine like on BERHALTER die-cutting systems the most optimised material savings can be achieved.

Efficiency means not only speed it is defined by output. Output can be also increased by less working steps as well as process supervision can avoid scrap.

9. What do you think about packaging-labelling.com as a platform which promotes manufacturers across the Packaging-Labelling today on such a wide scale?

Packaging-labelling is a modern and well-structured website to find prompt the necessary information. Using this platform is useful for BERHALTER to reach a wider audience.