The globally active Schütz GmbH & Co. KG has stood for tireless entrepreneurial spirit since its foundation in 1958. Headquartered in Selters/Westerwald, the group of companies has developed from a manufacturer of steel heating oil storage tanks into a global company comprising four business areas.
Represented on all continents, the philosophy and strategy of the company's founders and management still centres on the customer. In the largest and best-selling segment, Schütz has advanced to become the market leader with its packaging for a wide range of industries. leading manufacturer of intermediate bulk containers (IBCs). The optimum solution for the individual tasks in the customer's supply chain is a constant driver for the ongoing further development of IBCs and drums at Schütz.
Dynamics of the Packaging Systems division
Since it was founded by Udo Schütz in 1958, the company has undergone impressive development. The Group's dynamism continues to this day and continues to be characterised by constant innovation and steady expansion. Together with the four German locationsthe Headquarters in Selters/Westerwaldthe plants in Ransbach-Baumbach and Siershahn as well as the site in Simbach am Inn, the global player today has Over 45 production and service locations around the globe. The international group of companies with independent subsidiaries in the respective countries currently employs more than 4,500 people and generated sales of around 1.5 billion euros in 2016.
The largest and most significant share is accounted for by the Packaging Systemswhich supplies packaging systems worldwide such as IBCs and drums made of plastic and steell for a wide range of industrial applications. In the other three business areas Energy Systems, Industrial Services and CompositesSchütz also develops and manufactures other innovative products: Building services such as underfloor heating systems and heating oil tanks, pre-products made of steel, the lightweight construction material Cormaster and rotor blades for wind turbines. In addition, Schütz designs a large proportion of the tools, machines and systems required for production in-house.
Packaging revolutionises the market
1974 had Udo Schütz an outstanding idea for a product: a Plastic tankmounted on a pallet and All-round protection - In the past it was protected by a steel casing, today by a mesh construction. Another advantage of the transport packaging is that it is Easy to transport and to stack.
"The IBC revolutionised the market as a new generation of packaging. Until then, large containers with a volume of around 20,000 litres or smaller packaging units such as drums with only 200 litres were used to transport or store liquids. Contactor IBCs now a new size of 1,000 litres", explains Schütz CEO Roland Straßburger.
However, the containers only take up the space of a standard pallet. Compared to four traditional barrels on a pallet, this results in a purely mathematical Efficiency advantage of 25 per cent - a saving that is still reflected in the customers' business operations today in the form of lower transport and storage costs per litre is reflected. In addition, five packaging units do not have to be recorded, filled, moved, labelled, stored and emptied for 1,000 litres in the supply chain, but just one - an additional cost advantage that can amount to up to 30 percent.
This economic efficiency was convincing across the board, so that Schütz quickly opened up new markets as a result. The decisive factor for success was and is the Modular IBC structure. The container can be individually configured depending on the contents and requirements within the supply chain: from the inner bladder to the fitting and the pallet.
Superior ecological efficiency
Another key factor in the company's philosophy, which is characterised by sustainability, is ecological efficiency. Originally conceived as disposable packaging, the company gained its first experience in recycling and reuse as early as 1976. has been the first manufacturer to guarantee the return of used containers since 1980.
"With this, Schütz not only met the zeitgeist of the burgeoning environmental protection movement, but we also exceeded the requirements of the packaging ordinance introduced in the 1990s and were international pioneers in our industry," summarises the CEO. From 1993, this service was offered under the name Schütz ticket service and offered on all continents. What is special is that the returned packaging is reconditioned in a complex process at all Schütz locations in accordance with standardised environmental, safety and quality management specifications.
The plastic container is removed from the mesh cage and replaced with a brand-new original container. This gives customers peace of mind: The reconditioned IBC corresponds to a new contactor IBC in terms of quality and safety. In order to recognise this close link between originality and quality at first glance, the company recently worked with Recobulk introduced a new brand name. Regardless of which of the two types of IBC customers use, Ecobulk and Recobulk both have the same standard specifications and are therefore one hundred per cent compatible. The combination of an intelligent production and service solution is a complete solution for the user. administration-freeThe collection of used IBCs can now even be ordered directly via an app on a smartphone or tablet.
Continuous expansion of the network
Expansion is also always on the company's agenda. With this strategy, Schütz is moving closer to its customers in all countries. A globally broad-based networkk of locations ensures Short transport routes and an optimal flow within the supply chain. Customers benefit from the constantly growing number of local presences in terms of flexibility, delivery reliability and professional service. For example, the new steel drum plant in Houston (Texas) started production in August 2016. At the beginning of December, the IBC lines started up at the new plant in Poland. This was followed by a new site in Thailand in January 2017.
Schütz: Global player with great innovative strength
The product lines are also constantly being optimised and expanded. Customer requirements in daily use are often the decisive factor for innovations. For example, highly sensitive products must be protected against permeation. The solution from Schütz is the Security Layer Technology. This allows up to six functional layers to be extruded simultaneously. Installed between two carrier layers, the EVOH barrier acts against permeation influences. The entry or exit of gases, flavourings and fragrances is prevented and the shelf life of sensitive media is significantly improved.
Another development from Selters for sophisticated filling products, for example from the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics or automotive sectors, are the Foodcert and Cleancert IBCsand barrels. They offer comprehensive Material, product and process safety. The basis for these lines was the certification of the production sites in accordance with the industry standard FSSC 22000. Schütz counteracts the economic disadvantage in the form of residues in packaging for viscous filling goods with a special product design against: With its conical shape, the Ecobulk HX ensures that even highly viscous media can be Residual emptying of less than 0.3 litres. The impeller enables the safe stirring of such filling products. The newly developed disposable stirrer is firmly attached to the screw cap of the container and is available for all 1,000 and 1,250 litre Ecobulk types with a DN 150 and DN 225 filling opening. The stirring process can therefore take place in the closed IBC without any risk of contamination.
Passion for customer needs
"The innovative strength and passion for new technologies and practical products are reflected in the company's overall development," summarises Schütz CEO Roland Straßburger. "It is an expression of our own philosophy. Despite today's corporate structures, Schütz has remained a family business with a clear medium-sized character, in which the Customer needs first and foremost stand for." Like the founder, the management team attaches particular importance to Flexibility, Short decision-making processes and Reliabilitybut also offers the necessary room for development, regardless of whether you are a trainee or an employee with many years of experience. A culture that bears fruit.
Schütz at interpack 2017: Hall 10, Stand D22-E34
