LoeschPack Test Center – for customer-centric service

Customers of plant and machinery companies expect premium products and innovative service solutions. These are the findings of a recent study entitled “Evolution of Service”, in which Roland Berger Strategy Consultants polled 30 companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on the service component of their businesses. “Plant and machinery companies should therefore expand their service solutions in the future,” says Berger partner Philipp Angehrn. “This chiefly concerns services to increase the performance of existing installed machinery and consulting services.” The results of the study conducted by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants accord with the real-world experience to which the management of Loesch Verpackungstechnik can attest. “As a leading global supplier of special purpose machinery, we always have our customers in mind when developing and manufacturing packaging machines and systems. This ensures we can ideally satisfy their particular needs,” says Olaf Piepenbrock, Managing Partner at Piepenbrock Group. “We inspire our customers with technical innovations and our advanced, customer-centric service solutions.“ Their key elements include the long-standing ‘five'' service program, our global network of service facilities and the Test Center inaugurated directly adjacent to the production halls in 2014.

LoeschPack Test Center in Altendorf

In the spring of 2013, LoeschPack laid the foundations for the construction of the Test Center in Altendorf. “Within a period of over one year, we built a multifunctional facility next to the production halls,” says Andreas Graf, Managing Director of LoeschPack. With expanded premises for research and development, the management is setting a clear course for the future and showing strong commitment to the location. Design and planning, project management and engineering can all be carried out under ideal working conditions in the new building. The Test Center is home to training rooms equipped with state-of-the-art media equipment, where product presentations and service training sessions are held. This makes it possible for LoeschPack to guarantee knowledge transfer at all levels, internally and externally, and instil life into the continuous improvement process. “Our videoconferencing center allows us to communicate with our customers and their employees at any time from our Test Center and thus develop custom solutions to points of detail,” says Graf.

Packaging machines and systems in actual operation

The Test Center also features an exhibition hall in which customers can test packaging machines under production conditions. Graf: “We offer modern technology and quality, live and in real time, practically within our research and development environment.” Visitors can experience the packaging machines and systems in live operation and customers can perform practical tests with their own products. “We create samples and carry out test runs with original materials – also in customer formats. The generated data is used to analyze the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of our customers'' highly specific projects,” Graf is delighted to report. Customers have also indicated a high level of satisfaction, as the Test Center offers an outstanding forum in which to train employees on LoeschPack packaging machines away from the concerns of day-to-day business.

Products in live processes

The Test Center further offers a wide range of tangible advantages. For example, product machinability testing minimizes risks in the production process while enabling meaningful performance tests. “Our experienced development teams support our customers at the Test Center with optimized packaging materials, on packaging tests and in the design of innovative packaging solutions,” explains Christoph Krombholz, Marketing Manager at LoeschPack, during a tour of the new building. Alongside the production of sample packaging, working models can be manufactured for a realistic look and feel and used as the basis for marketing decisions. It is even possible to produce small batches for customer studies and market tests.

Multifunctional spaces for events

The new canteen in the Test Center is a highlight in its own right. “The multifunctional spaces in the canteen area are designed for both everyday use and special occasions. Fitted out with modern technology, the canteen is an ideal place for presentations, receptions and other events,” says Krombholz, pointing out a number of practical features. Andreas Graf: “Working together with our customers ideally squares with our corporate philosophy of ‘> Packaging your Ideas ...''”