Cooperation Germany and Holland in advanced packaging
Firstly, the challenges of handling two different cultures in the context of the packaging business were charted by three speakers.
Tanja Braun (intoEU) addressed the basics by explaining how to build a better business by understanding Dutch-German differences.
Bart Labrie (L’ABRIE) presented several business cases addressing new developments in packaging services, for both Dutch and German manufacturers of branded packaged goods.
Giovanni Bernardo (Meilink-Dreiner Kartonage Deutschland) shared his experiences with the audience on managing a successful German-Dutch enterprise in the increasingly international market of high-tech packaging.
All speakers stressed the importance of well-qualified employees-professionals for their business. This aspect was enthusiastically debated in a dedicated panel subsequently, where leading education institutes in the field of packaging were present. Panel participants included Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Sadlowsky (Geschäftsführendes Vorstandsmitglied e.V., BFSV / HAW, Hamburg), Nienke Peeters MSc (Assistant Professor NVC Chair Packaging Design and Management, Enschede), Sonja Bähr (Geschäftsführerin BDVI, Berlin), Simone Terkatz (Packaging specialist Ahold Coffee Company, Zaandam and participant in the NVC Course Programme in Packaging I) and Michael Nieuwesteeg MSc MEng (managing director of NVC Netherlands Packaging Centre).
Three interdependent conclusions were derived from the seminar.
First: additional (continuous) education in packaging for employees is an absolute necessity for the long-term sustainable competitiveness of the packaging business.
To stimulate this, work should be done to develop a transparent indication of different qualifications for professionals in packaging within Europe, in line with the European Qualification framework EQF. (For instance, the NVC Course Programme in Packaging I is estimated to be equivalent to the EQF6-level and this could be mentioned on the diploma which is already recognised in more than 30 countries).
Last but not least, enhanced cooperation between Holland and Germany will surely create new perspectives for all parties involved. It was decided that Verpackung Hamburg 2013 will be the place to present the first initial spin-off of the ideas generated.
For more information:
NVC Netherlands Packaging Centre
[email protected]
www.nvc.nl