Machinery investment

Northeim/Všetaty, 21 November 2022 - Thimm has commissioned a high-performance production line at the Czech corrugated cardboard plant for around EUR 3 million. The new folding box gluing machine and auxiliary unit doubles production capacity compared to previous systems. The new machine will also relieve the workload of production specialists in terms of ergonomics and productivity. The system is part of the major investment programme announced by Thimm Group.

Only a short time after dismantling the previous folding box gluing machine, the new Bobst Masterfold 230 A4 started operation at the Všetaty production plant. Sustainable corrugated cardboard packaging has been folded and glued fully-automatically on the high-tech machine now for five days. The new production line is currently the fastest system at the Czech site and will increase production capacity to up to 70 million packages per year. Thimm is planning to use the folding box gluing machine for standard packaging in large runs with, for example, 4-point gluing and an operating width of up to 2.3 metres which can also be processed at full speed. Complex shipping packaging for the e-commerce industry and shelf-ready packaging for the consumer goods industry can also be created. “This investment will also lead to additional capacities for our customers to produce customised special packaging on the existing machines,” says Kornelius Thimm, CEO of Thimm Group.  “This ultimate mix of fast and efficient standards in conjunction high-quality and sophisticated specialities will enable us to deliver even better solutions for our customers.” The smart machine continuously checks gluing quality during processing and ejects faulty packaging without human intervention. The machine also runs more quietly and more energy-efficiently than its predecessor.

Behind the folding box gluing machine, the new Bobst Speedpack automatic packaging system relieves Thimm employees of heavy physical work. This also increases the degree of automation and productivity as the ergonomically designed packaging system counts and stacks the boxes, straps them in the further process and automatically transfers them to palletising using the new conveyor technology. According to the manufacturer, all this reduces the workload by up to 60 percent and eliminates those health risks that can arise from repeated strains. Kornelius Thimm explains, “In addition to cost-effectiveness, our focus is also on relieving strain on our skilled staff. We are all very pleased with the technical and ergonomic advantages that the new machine offers our employees. We hope that these many measures to ease workload strain will encourage even more people to pursue a promising career in the packaging industry. There are still many production positions to be filled throughout Europe in Thimm Group.”

Following on from the last major investments, the new machine constitutes one more building block in the consistent expansion of our portfolio in the Czech market. In combination with the new conveyor technology, the recently installed corrugator and the digital laser die cutter, the machines form a strong unit for expanding the packaging portfolio for the consumer goods industry, enabling us to meet regional market requirements even better. Alongside the site in Wörrstadt, the site in Všetaty also forms part of Thimm Group’s folding box gluing machinery strategy. Further investments in 2023 are planned for Všetaty.

About Thimm

The Thimm Group is a leading solutions provider for the packaging and distribution of goods. Its solutions portfolio includes corrugated cardboard transportation and sales packaging, high-quality promotional displays and print products for further industrial processing. Through its innovative and sustainable solutions, Thimm helps its customers to differentiate and individualise themselves in the market. To this end, in its sustainability vision for 2030, the family business anticipates economic, environmental and social challenges in advance and solves them. Thimm Group's aspiration is to always offer customers the best solution. This strong customer focus drives the innovation and the pioneering spirit of the company. There is therefore consistent investment in expanding the company’s market presence as well as in future-oriented technologies. Founded in 1949, the family business currently has more than 2,500 employees at 13 sites in Germany, France, Poland, Romania, and the Czech Republic, and generated annual revenue of around EUR 698 million in 2021. 

Thimm pack'n'display, as part of the Thimm Group, offers the best customer solution for the packaging and display of merchandise. The business division supports projects throughout Europe, from consultancy to development, design, production and packaging through to distribution. The customer base includes the global branded goods industry, both online and bricks and mortar.