From left to right: Alexandra Chauvigné (Quadpack CEO), Fabian Erlhöfer and Gerd Erlhöfer (Founders of the Kierspe factory), Tim Eaves (Quadpack Founder) & Willi Meier (Plant Director – Kierspe)

Five years since the incorporation of Louvrette, Quadpack’s facilities in Kierspe, Germany, have become the flagship of the group’s manufacturing operations. The factory itself was established 60 years ago, employing workers from the local area. Now with a workforce of 205 people, it continues to foster talent and lead the way in PET injection moulding.

Louvrette design x packaging GmbH started as a family business in Kierspe, nestled in the forests of Western Germany. It produced cosmetics compacts for luxury brands, its name inspired by the Louvre in Paris. The company expanded its range to include jars and airless packaging solutions, applying German engineering excellence to become a leader in injection moulding of recyclable plastics. This expertise continues to power its growth following its acquisition by Quadpack (also a family business), and employees are encouraged to broaden their skillsets through comprehensive training programmes.

Injection Moulding Manager Conny Winter is a perfect example. He started as a trainee in 2011, working his way through various positions in the company, to become head of the Plant 1 injection moulding department. Along the way, he gained training certificates and a master craftsman degree, in order to meet his new responsibilities. He said: “There’s a good atmosphere here. We work together and support each other, on the shop floor and with the leadership. It’s something close to a family. Personally, I’m given room to grow and the freedom to do develop my people, myself and the department. I’m very comfortable where I am, but who knows what’s next?”

With a purpose of taking care and giving back, Quadpack continues to invest in its people – through training, staff health & wellbeing and diversity programmes – as well as in its facilities. Since joining the group, around €13 million have been invested in Kierspe, while capacity and sales have doubled. A tailor-made production line is currently being installed at the decoration centre for full-cover hotfoil stamping, an expert process offering a low-emission alternative to metallisation. It’s a new, niche skillset that came with the acquisition of Wicklein in 2022, representing a new learning opportunity. As the factory prepares to produce PET dip-in bottles in-house, it is reaching out to the Kierspe community and beyond, to attract the right talent for the job.

In the midst of these developments, the Kierspe staff marked the plant’s double anniversary with a well-deserved celebration, joined by their colleagues, families and the local media. Long-term workers were recognised with service awards – the longest being Operator Bernd Lampka, proudly part of the team since 1989!

Mayor Olaf Stelse was in attendance, as Quadpack seeks to strengthen its ties with the local community. He said: “As Mayor, I am pleased that Quadpack has invested extensively in the Kierspe site, showing how essential it is to the company. This is an important sign for the city as well as the workforce, as it can be seen as proof that jobs in Kierspe are secure in the long term. The sales development in recent years is also impressive. I wish those responsible and the entire workforce continued success!”