IWKA One of the Largest Exhibitors at Interpack 2002 with 20 Companies

"This changes the requirements for packaging machinery manufacturers as well. The market is increasingly demanding complete packaging lines that come from a single
source," explained Hans Fahr, Chairman of the Board of IWKA AG, Karlsruhe, on April 25, 2002 at Interpack 2002, the largest global trade show for the packaging industry, in Düsseldorf.

One of the first companies in the market, IWKA has adapted its activities in packaging technology to meet the changing requirements. The company has built up this division enormously through acquisitions, steadfastly continued its program of internationalization and further strengthened its system capabilities. Today, the group has sales revenues of EUR 447 million in packaging technology and order receipts of EUR 463 million with about 3,100 employees. Foreign business accounts for 89 percent of these figures. These figures make IWKA one of the world's leading suppliers of packaging machinery and equipment. The most important customer group in packaging technology is the dairy business, accounting for 30 percent of incoming orders. Ranked second is the food industry with 29 percent, followed by pharmaceuticals at 21 percent and cosmetics at 8 percent.

"The build-up of the Packaging Technology division is an essential component of our group. This division represents one of IWKAs major strategic foundations," stressed Mr. Fahr. Packaging technology is an interesting market with good earnings potential. With the customers in pharmaceuticals and the food industry, the pressure toward individuality likewise leads to differentiation and variety in the product line. Therefore, Fahr reaffirmed, market growth is less decisive for IWKA than product development and the rate of development - these are the real drivers of growth for the groups business. Here, the signs continue to be favorable.

Time is a decisive factor in competition, according to Fahr. It is a matter of having the product on the market faster. The packaging machinery industry requires fast, flexible solutions. IWKA profits here from its consistently decentralized structure. It combines the influence and financial power of a major company with the speed, flexibility and market proximity of the decentralized company units.

The market also demands innovative packaging machinery and equipment with the highest degree of flexibility, availability, quality and economy. With numerous innovations and product enhancements, IWKA is showing proof of its innovative power at Interpack. With 20 IWKA companies and a total exhibition space of 2000 m2, the group is among the largest exhibitors.

To save time and money, customers increasingly want to obtain complete packaging lines from a single reliable systems partner who is active around the world. IWKA covers the entire process chain in tablet production and packaging: from mixing and granulating the powder, pressing and coating the tablets, and molding and filling the blisters to boxing and finally loading the boxes on pallets. IWKA is also able to offer comprehensive solutions for filling and packaging tubes or cups.

IWKA is one of the leading systems suppliers to the mechanical and plant engineering industries. The IWKA Group is a global partner supplying the automobile and consumer goods industries, as well as energy utilities. In business year 2001, the IWKA Group, with a payroll of some 13,000 staff worldwide, booked sales of EUR 2.29 billion.