For 2016 HERMA's Labelling Machines division has again reported record performance figures despite the sharp currency downturn in the key UK market. Preliminary figures indicate that the exchange rate pegged the increase in turnover to just 3 per cent, measured in euros. The new record of a good 43 million euros therefore masks the more than 12 per cent rise in the number of labellers shipped, which climbed from around 3,000 to 3,400 year on year. In addition, total sales of the HERMA 400 labeller since its launch in 2006 broke through the 20,000 barrier last year. "To the best of our knowledge, this is a success story without parallel in the premium labeller segment worldwide," says Martin Kühl, head of HERMA's Labelling Machines division. "Without the UK's decision to leave the European Union and given a steady exchange rate for sterling, turnover in 2016 would have been much higher. The good advances that we achieved despite these influences are largely attributable to the very strong performance of the HERMA subsidiaries in France, the UK and Austria."
The business activities of the most recently incorporated subsidiary, HERMA US, likewise developed well. It commenced operations in Fairfield, New Jersey, in mid-2016 and has already acquired initial orders of its own from leading US pharmaceutical enterprises. "HERMA US has quickly given us a foothold in all three of the country's key pharmaceutical regions, namely the east coast cluster, the Chicago conurbation, and on the west coast, where biotech start-ups in particular have established a home," explains Kühl. "We are therefore optimistic about the prospects of triggering sustainable growth here for HERMA." Peter Goff who heads up the US operation for HERMA comments: “The existing ‘M’ series of high speed labelling machines along with a new mid speed wrap around labeller, the 152 E, gives HERMA US a comprehensive range of products for the pharmaceutical industry. Additionally HERMA US shipped a record number of HERMA 400 units into the US market in August 2016 with 42 units sold.”
Biggest-ever development project
On the product front as well, action has already been taken to safeguard additional growth by initiating the largest development project in the division's history. A whole new generation of labellers is taking shape that will serve as a new benchmark in the industry for connectivity, flexibility and ease of use. "Thus we will make a quantum leap to rival the one we accomplished all those years ago when unveiling the HERMA 400. The key innovations then were compactness and the absence of a separate switch cabinet – now we are focusing on the demands of Industry 4.0, the future of manufacturing," insists Kühl. These new labellers are one of the reasons why HERMA is currently investing around 100 million euros in its headquarters near Stuttgart. The planning phase for the new labeller plant has now been concluded. The first machines are scheduled for production there by the end of 2018.
