On October 27 of this year, we concluded an agreement with our long-time partner and specialist for protective packaging, Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH: Storopack acquires a majority shareholding of 74.9% in OPITZ. Storopack, headquartered in Metzingen near Stuttgart, and OPITZ already launched a cooperation for automated and efficient processes in packaging logistics in January 2019.

Storopack's experience and expertise as one of the world's leading and globally active manufacturers of protective packaging perfectly complements the competence of OPITZ in the automation of packaging processes. Together, the product portfolios of both companies thus offer an all-encompassing range for the automation of packaging processes.

In the future, Storopack will distribute the entire product and service portfolio of OPITZ. Hermann Reichenecker, CEO and shareholder of Storopack: "The participation is an important step to further increase the productivity of the protective packaging process for our customers". In addition to the OPITZ standard product range, we currently develop technical solutions for the targeted processing and insertion of Storopack core products such as AIRplus® air cushions or PAPERplus® paper cushions by robots. "During the period of joint cooperation, it has already become apparent that there are many shared values between the two companies and a common understanding with regard to high demands on quality and customer orientation. This represents a very good basis for future development," Hermann Reichenecker continued.

Günther Opitz, Managing Director of OPITZ, is looking forward to the joint future as well: "The marketing opportunities opened up by the alliance with the global player Storopack offer great potential that will benefit our mutual customers." Both companies are also driven by their shared social responsibility: "We are particularly glad to have found a partner with whom we can actively shape the market for packaging materials and automation and work on a sustainable and more efficient use of resources."

The company name OPITZ Packaging Systems GmbH will remain as such and the Opitz family will continue to be shareholders with 25.1 percent. Günther Opitz and his son Tim Opitz will continue to be responsible for the business operations of the family-owned company as sole managing directors. In order to meet the rapidly increasing demand for OPITZ products and solutions, a new building is already in the planning stage.