Kiefel GmbH has appointed new heads of its technology, engineering and packaging divisions, as construction on its Customer Innovation Center nears completion.
Sven Engelmann, VP of technology, is responsible for the Customer Innovation Center and the technological development of Kiefel's products.
Bengt Schmidt, VP of packaging, will develop the packaging division and continue to build up the company’s global sales organization.
Bernd Stein, VP of engineering, is responsible for the implementation of efficient development processes and optimization of machine and tool solutions.
“With these reinforcements in our management team, we have gained very experienced players from the packaging and plastics industry with whom we can grow,” said Matt Sieverding, CEO of Kiefel GmbH. “The implemented investments and various strategic decisions made as part of our ‘One Kiefel’ future strategy are already showing success on the market, which is reflected by our order intake.”
The company implemented the “One Kiefel” strategy in late 2024 as it underwent a structural reorganization and eliminated about 100 jobs. The strategy is intended to expand beyond the company’s traditional markets into segments with growth potential, such as automation.
The Customer Innovation Center Polymer (CIC) at Kiefel's headquarters in Freilassing, Germany, is aimed at helping customers develop and optimize packaging solutions. Completion is scheduled for the second quarter of 2025, and the facilities are already in use.
The CIC gives customers access to the latest Kiefel machines for tool and product sampling and prototyping. Laboratory facilities enable microscopic examinations, material and layer thickness measurements, punching force measurements and statistical analyses, and more.
Kiefel, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary, manufactures thermoforming and joining technology for processing plastics, recycled and bio-based materials and natural fibers. It is a member of the Brückner Group, Siegsdorf, Germany.
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