Closures of reputation - Packaging Europe_07_12 - KBA MetalPrint

Closuresof reputationRauh GmbH & Co is known to Europeanbeverage producers. Managing directorFlorian Rauh spoke to Julia Snow aboutthe company’s most recent addition tothe group.| 152 86 | | Packaging Europe

“In the last 10 years our company has moved on a lot from the traditional focus on crown corks, wewidened our product portfolio, increased our productivity and have moved into new markets.”The Rauh Group is a leading producer of closures for beer, wine,sparkling wine, spirits and mineral water. The name stands forworking in partnership and continuous improvements in qualitystandards, as well as guaranteed prompt deliveries.The company’s aim is to expand the business with high qualityproducts that combine tradition and innovation in perfect harmony. Thecompany, headquartered in Küps, Germany, supplies a comprehensiverange of bottle caps and closures for breweries, wine bottlers and softdrinks manufacturers.In 1947 Bartholomäus Rauh, the grandfather of today’s managingdirector, founded the company in Knellendorf, taking up the productionof swing stoppers two years later. In 1969 crown caps were added to theproduct range and in 1972 the foundation for a die casting production unitwas laid. The production plant for crown caps in Küps was built in 1987,and in 1996 is started the production of aluminium closures. In 2001 Rauhacquired Plutal 2000 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and in 2004 it opened PS Printservicein Neuhaus-Schierschnitz.Leading position today“In the last 10 years our company has moved on a lot from the traditionalfocus on crown corks,” says Mr Rauh. “We widened our product portfolio,increased our productivity and have moved into new markets.”The growth has been supported by a string of investments including anew winding facility in Germany in 2004 and the optimisation of the longcaps production in Slovenia over the past three years. The company operatesfrom three locations today: its headquarters in Küps, producing crowncorks, swing stoppers and screw- top closures; its site in Ljubljana whichmakes screw-top closures, crown corks and print facilities; and finally itsLohne facility, which brings its expertise in screw- top closures, naturalcorks and cork stoppers to the mix as well as plastic closures and print.Rauh’s customers are located in Germany and its neighbouring countries,but the UK is also an important market – resulting in an export share ofaround 30 per cent. Mr Rauh is satisfied with the mix of customers thatranges “from small breweries to international players, with whom we keepin touch via our agents. We also are constantly making new contacts at fairsand exhibitions.”Extending the portfolio on offerThe most recent acquisition took place in August, when Rauh bought thecompany Bramlage Verschlüsse in Lohne from the UK-based rigid packagingproducer RPC Group plc. Bramlage’s product range includes naturaland synthetic corks as well as aluminium and special closures. The twocompanies have been collaborating since 2006, with Rauh supplying roll-onaluminium closures to Bramlage.Packaging Europe | | 153 87 |

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A closure for every bottleRauh produces standard crown corks from tin-free, tin plated and stainlesssteel plates. Twist-off crown corks consist of a special plate, lacquering andsealer which ensure, along with a special threaded bottle neck, that the bottlecan be opened with a twist.Aluminium closures are popular owing to their technical and opticalcharacteristics. They are used for carbonated and non-carbonated beverages,and made from a special aluminium alloy to which multiple printingfinishes can be added. A gas-proof closure with a security ring can providetemper-evidence, although roll-on aluminium closures with a paper sealcan also guarantee temper-evidence at a lower price with its low injury risk.The swing stopper has experienced a comeback during the last few yearsowing to the fact that it is recloseable and conveys a ‘premium’ and traditionalimage. The heads are made from porcelain, plastic or a combination of the two.The choice of corks is huge: From natural corks – with or withoutvinosave membrane – to cork stoppers and pourers for spirits bottles,through to neocork and polyethylene corks. There is even a champagnecork that provides an easy-open ‘twist and plop’ option.Top quality for satisfied customersClosures are an important factor in the quality of a beverage and are thereforesubject to special technical standards, including the strictest hygienerules and processes to rule out contamination. Rauh’s quality managementguarantees a high quality level with excellent communication structuresbetween the departments concerned with quality and safety.The complex interaction of all production processes, the efficiency ofthe production and the resulting high quality level of the closures build thebasis for long-term customer satisfaction.Mr Rauh says that its acquisition of Bramlage has strengthened the company’sposition: “The trend in wine goes from cork to plastic or aluminium,and we can now provide comprehensive solutions to wine producers –whichever material they choose.” The acquisition, as a natural progressionof the existing partnership, has created one of the most important playersin the German market which enables the company to integrate further intothe industry.Visit: www.rrauh.de| 156 90 | | Packaging Europe