Windmöller & Hölscher becomes new member of the innovation ecosystem Maschinenraum

Lengerich/Berlin

Windmöller & Hölscher, a leading mechanical engineering company for the flexible packaging market, is becoming part of Maschinenraum. The family-owned company places great emphasis on innovation and, appropriately, operates the world's largest technology center for machinery in the flexible packaging market at its headquarters in Lengerich.

Maschinenraum, an alliance of more than 65 family-owned companies as well as university partners and other innovators, is working together on the digital transformation of German SMEs. As a member of this community, Windmöller & Hölscher wants to discuss topics such as sustainability, digitalization and the shortage of skilled workers, provide impetus and share experiences.

Windmöller & Hölscher looks back on a history of over 150 years. The family-owned company was founded in 1869 as a paper bag factory and has been dedicated to research and development - and the practical application of its findings - since day one. In 1877, co-founder Hermann Hölscher patented the first pointed bag machine with a printing device for the company's own bag production, thus laying the foundation for what would later become a mechanical engineering company. Further patents followed and as early as 1913 the company finally focused on mechanical engineering and sales. Today, Windmöller & Hölscher machines shape the world market for flexible packaging: They are in use in more than 130 countries around the world and by more than 5,000 customers. In total, more than 3,300 employees are committed to protecting goods on their way from the manufacturer to the end consumer - by offering manufacturers market-leading technology and advising on its use.

Thinking outside the box to overcome challenges

"As a machine builder, we are in an industry with high pressure to innovate. Especially in times of high raw material and energy costs, the following applies: our machines must produce as cost-effectively as possible and we must produce our machines as cost-effectively as possible. Added to this is our own aspiration to manage this balancing act in a sustainable way. To meet these challenges, we want to expand our network, exchange ideas across industries and think outside the box. In this context, an important argument for membership at Maschinenraum was that the exchange opportunities here are not limited to the management level, but provide as many employee:s as possible with opportunities for exchange," says Dr. Falco Paepenmüller, CTO, of Windmöller & Hölscher KG.

"Windmöller & Hölscher embodies the spirit of Maschinenraum in a unique way. I am delighted that the company is joining our network," says Tobias Rappers, Managing Director of Maschinenraum. "Windmöller & Hölscher carries innovation in its brand essence and will bring valuable experience to Maschinenraum. At the same time, the company itself can also look forward to new impulses."

About Maschinenraum:
Maschinenraum, a shared ecosystem from medium-sized businesses for medium-sized businesses, unites German SMEs and family businesses to boldly shape the future. Already more than 60 family-owned companies - including Viessmann, Fiege Logistik, STIHL and Mast-Jägermeister - have joined the engine room in order to jointly drive the digital and sustainable transformation of medium-sized businesses.

About Windmöller & Hölscher:
The family-owned company Windmöller & Hölscher is the global market leader for machines and systems for the production and processing of flexible packaging. The product range includes high-performance machines for extrusion (film production), printing and converting. As a globally represented company, W&H offers its customers everything from a single source: from consulting and engineering to the supply of high-quality machinery and complete packaging production. Around 3,200 employees work in line with the company's philosophy of "Ideas with Passion" to create optimum solutions for the individual production requirements of packaging manufacturers. Today, machines from Windmöller & Hölscher are in operation in over 130 countries and at more than 5,000 customers. The group of companies, headquartered in Lengerich, Germany, generated sales of around EUR 969 million in 2021.