Michael Schulze took over the management of the Lahnau-based packaging machine manufacturer Hastamat in June 2018. Together with his powerful team, he will continue to expand the company's outstanding position in the market for vertical flow-wrapping machines, multihead weighers and stacking chip systems.
pj: Mr Schulze, what is the current focus with Hastamat?
Michael Schulze: We have to meet market requirements with innovations even more intensively than in the past. higher efficiency, precision, speed and safety do justice to this. Consequently, one focus at Hastamat is to strengthen the team and create a working environment that enables us to offer the best solutions to the market quickly.
pj: What particular challenges did you personally face last year?
Michael Schulze: The first step was to familiarise themselves with the new task and get to know the corporate culture. Then, based on the company's specific strengths and opportunities, the strategic direction was developed and implementation started. Among the labour market policy framework conditions this represents a tangible challenge.
pj: How do you assess the economic situation?
Michael Schulze: Beyond the national and international political framework, I see an unbroken trend towards individualised consumer behaviour. In addition, there is still healthy competition and growth in our customer markets. We must continue to carefully support our customers. Then I see good opportunities to continue our positive corporate development even in a difficult political environment.
pj: What effects do you expect for your company?
Michael Schulze: There are more opportunities than risks for Hastamat. We already offer our customers very good solutions, particularly in the markets we serve. We also benefit from the fact that our portfolio offers solutions for a large proportion of our customers' processes. from a single source to be able to offer new solutions. We must not and will not rest on our laurels and will continue to work on innovative solutions.
pj: What do you see as the most important tasks and trends in the industry?
Michael Schulze: Hardly any other industry is as much at the centre of political and public attention as the food industry and its packaging. This is why, in addition to progressive individualisation and automation, the Sustainability and environmental compatibility play a major role.
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