Schwaebisch hall. After reporting constant growth over recent years, the trend continued in 2010 as the consolidated turnover of the optima group reached 210 m euro. The company produces filling and packaging lines for the sectors pharma, consumer and nonwovens, and further includes in its portfolio manufacturing systems for life science products. Regional sales breakdown shows usa and germany as the two most important markets with 25 of sales in each country. Another 20 is achieved by turnover in other eu countries. The remaining 30 was owed to business with other countries and regions around the globe, and clearly shows that significant markets also emerge beyond the &ldquotraditional&rdquo markets of the western hemisphere. The export rate dropped slightly to 80 and thus was slightly lower than in previous years, which could be seen as an indicator that the economy in germany recovered faster than in other countries. In 2010, the number of staff increased by 100 to 1,300 employees worldwide, which translates into an increase of eight percent. In germany alone, 80 new employees were hired. Consequently, optima group employs a staff of 1,060 today, 960 of them in schwaebisch hall. Qualified personnel were hired on all levels to enable the company to realize further growth and to meet the demographic change headon at an early stage. The high priority placed on education and training is another measure aimed at achieving these goals. It is, however, also an obligation towards emerging generations. By the end of 2010, optima group employed 84 trainees. Acquisition of metall plasticin august, optima group and metall plastic announced their plans regarding optima group&rsquos acquisition of the specialist for isolators and ebeam decontamination systems residing in radolfzell. The agreement was implemented de facto in january 2011. With its 70 employees, metall plastic had reached a turnover of 19 m euros in 2009. As a consequence of the acquisition, optima group is the only provider of turnkey solutions for the industry and thus further secured its excellent market position as an expert for pharmaceutical filling and packaging technology. Another acquisition took place with sternfördertechnik. The partner company joined optima group consumer. In 2010, a new assembly hall was set up for s.f. Vision and kugler cosmetic, which now offers an additional 1,300 m2 of production space. In addition, optima group bought the 7.4 acre neighboring lot to prepare for future expansion. Trade shows and eventsthe 3rd pharma forum in schwaebisch hall, bringing together international pharmaceutical experts to speak with numerous interested visitors, deserves to be mentioned ahead of all other events. During the two days in september, more than 200 guests were onsite to exchange opinions, entering discussions on trends, technologies, and projects. Beyond the merely technical exchange, customer relations were deepened and new contacts were established. Optima machinery corporation in green bay, wisconsin usa celebrated a milestone event. In october, the company celebrated its 25th anniversary with over 180 guests in green bay, wisconsin. The most important packaging trade show of the american continent, packexpo international in chicago, as well as fachpack in nuremberg, stimulated interest in the group. The 1st packaging days in june, in which optima group played an active role, was an exciting new experience. The event provided an insight into the future of automated packaging. Moreover, longstanding and proven experience in packaging machinery building was shared in a panel discussion and in numerous company tours, direct insight into the facilities of the member companies of the packaging valley germany e.v. Was granted to visitors. As feedback was highly favorable, a repeat event can certainly be expected. Characters incl. Spaces 3.853 contact optima packaging group gmbh optima packaging group gmbh sabine gauger felix henningmarketing director public relations49 0791 5061410 49 0791 5061464sabine.gauger@optimager.com felix.henning@optimager.com optima machinery corporationcathy hendricksmarketing manager1 920 9833125 cathy.hendricks@optimausa.com
