Spain-headquartered Boix, is a leading designer and manufacturer of industrial machines for forming, erecting and gluing corrugated and compact cardboard boxes. The company prides itself on providing its customers with a true sustainability advantage, according to Job Schmidt, Managing Director of Boix Europe. Romana Moares reports.
is now in the hands of the second generation and today employs around 400 people.
Boix has been one of the companies that has grown globally as a result of its customer focus and flexibility in meeting its clients' individual requirements. Moreover, Boix's machines reduce operating costs and the environmental footprint – a factor that helped the company to sell a record number of machines last year – over 450 units to customers in more than 90 countries.
Less can be more
Established five decades ago, the Boix Group has become a regional and global market leader in the development and production of machines for sustainable packaging. The company continues to be a family-owned business, which
“Boix machines are long-lasting, sust ainable products made to the highest quality standards,” said Job Schmidt, Managing Director of Boix Europe. “We help our customers on several fronts: cost reduction, material savings, production improvement as well as enhanced logistics – our machines reduce the number of trucks needed
for transportation, as well as warehouse space.”
He explained that Boix Europe, a 100%owned subsidiary of the Boix Group, is one of the six production locations of th e group and is in charge of serving 44 countries. “We provide safe, reliable and innovative carton packaging automation solutions through standardisation,” Mr Schmidt continued. “We offer our customers the opportunity to package, transport and present their valuable products in a protected and sustainable way.”
One example will suffice for all: just recently, Boix's machine was deployed by a global client for a seasonal job (Christmas gift boxes) that usually happens between May to December, requiring one million boxes which are manually made. Under the new arrangement with a Boix packaging machine, the job can be accomplished by fewer people within a shorter period besides to the material savings.
Mr Schmidt pointed out that Boix does not only deliver the machine. The company provides technical support and after-sales service as well, which is one of the factors that distinguishes Boix from competitors. “50 per cent of our people are in servicerelated roles,” he said. “So, we are able to take really good care of our clients on a long-term basis.”
New machines & developments
The company's global coverage is strongly promoted by its network of partners that can provide service to clients even in countries or regions where Boix is not physically present. “Local is crucial,” explained Mr Schmidt. “Our partners can provide a fast response to clients in local languages while sustaining Boix's standards, and this has proved to be a good approach. Today, about half of our business globally is done in cooperation with our partners.”
He affirmed that innovation is an important part of the group's success. In line with the global effort to reduce the use of plastics, Boix has launched the Boix MCT-TS machine that can fold and glue cardboard punnets with a top ledge, which can be closed with existing sealing solutions without the need to directly change the client’s existing sealing-tool.
This solution is highly attractive for the food sector, enabling clients to store fresh fruit and vegetables. This method can also be used with other items for food consumption such as fast and takeaway specialities, meat, confectionery, and bakery products.
“With this technology, customers can reduce the amount of
plastics in their packaging by 95 per cent,” Mr Schmidt said. “This lower consumption is very important, as some countries, including France, have already introduced stringent regulations regarding the use of plastics in packaging. Other European countries are following suit with similar new pieces of legislation.”
Next to the exceptional market for punnets, Boix is always improving the wellknown tray formers according to the needs of customers. As an example, the latest development is to automatically switch between tray size without any manual intervention, a feature now available in several models.
Sustainable business
Sustainability is also rigorously pursued internally at Boix, according to Mr Schmidt: “We aim to inspire and help our environment with responsible and healthy business practices. Within our manufacturing company, we strive for circular entrepreneurship and sustainable solutions.
“We want to reduce the use of new raw materials and CO 2 emissions. We work hard to achieve a positive social impact on everyone inside and outside
the Boix Group. As a family business, it is in our DNA to take good care of ou r family and the local environment.”
The family approach has also helped the business weather the challenges of the last few years. “With our network of trusted partners, we are able to support our customers as required,” Mr Schmidt continued. “Due to the fact we are spread all over the world and have in-house manufacturing of mechanical parts (95 per cent), we are able to keep our business stable and even growing.
“Of course, some challenges persist, such as the shortage of technical skills, but we continuously invest in technology, people, personal development and promote innovation and all this is driving the company forward,” he said, adding that business expansion is definitely in the pipeline.
Lasting relationships
The company has just expanded its warehouse in Spain by another 4,000m 2 and invested in robotics to increase production in the metal workshop The Boix Group has also just opened a new office and warehouse in the US.
Mr Schmidt pointed out that the company is looking for a new location in the Netherlands to expand its office and also to build a large Experience Centre. Here, customers, partners and also young people – potential candidates – can get a feel for Boix’s machines and witness at first hand how packaging optimisation can lead to raw materials and logistics savings, as well as energy, material and space reductions.
Looking ahead, he acknowledged that Boix is set to continue to develop solutions that bring significant benefits to both customers and the environment. “Through reliability, long-term thinking and responsible u se of resources,” Mr Schmidt concluded, “we will create lasting relationships and sustainable value for employees, customers, suppliers and society.” n
