Hoffmann Neopac considers divestiture of metal packaging division

SWITZERLAND – Hoffmann Neopac, a Swiss company specializing in metal and plastic packaging, has received a binding offer for its metal division.

The company is considering selling this business unit to an international family-owned enterprise with expertise in the metal sector.

The potential sale would involve transferring the production facility in Dronten, the Netherlands, along with its workforce and continuing existing customer contracts.

However, the proposed divestiture may lead to the closure of the production site in Thun, Switzerland, affecting 75 employees.

A three-week consultation process is underway, during which Hoffmann Neopac’s employee committee can propose alternatives to the sale and mitigate the potential shutdown’s impact on the workforce.

Details regarding the sale will be announced after the consultation, which is expected by mid-February.

Hoffmann Neopac operates six production sites across Europe, India, and the United States, serving the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and consumer goods sectors.

The company employs approximately 1,150 people globally and is committed to delivering innovative and sustainable packaging solutions.

In October, Hoffmann Neopac shifted part of its production from Thun, Switzerland, to the Netherlands. This move resulted in the loss of 37 full-time equivalent roles at the Swiss site.

To maintain competitiveness in the metal packaging division, the company plans to transfer three metal box production lines from the Gwatt-Thun plant to the Dronten facility in the Netherlands.

The decision to relocate production was influenced by the loss of key clients in Switzerland, an unfavourable exchange rate against the euro, and rising production costs at the Swiss site.

Additionally, intense price pressure in the metal box market has necessitated consolidation.

The consultation period with employees remains open until November 13. While 37 positions will be eliminated, 57 roles will continue in Thun.

These changes will not affect the Neopac plant in Oberdiessbach, located in Canton Bern, or foreign subsidiaries involved in tube manufacturing.

Hoffmann Neopac’s diverse operations include manufacturing metal and plastic packaging for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and consumer goods industries.

With six production sites worldwide, the company employs around 1,250 people and remains focused on sustainable growth and innovative packaging solutions.

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