Rotatek

Austria-based label and decorative
packaging converter Marzek Etiketten has
become a major pan-European player
with the acquisition of plants in Hungary
and Ukraine, and is currently in the middle
of an 11 million euro investment program
to boost productivity and efficiency across
the group’s operations.
The Marzek group today has a turnover
of 50 million euros and 500 employees
across Europe. Its Eastward expansion
began with the acquisition of Kner
Packaging in Hungary in 2005, an offset
converter of both cartons and wet glue
labels. In a significant investment, the
Hungarian operation will now take
delivery of a new Heidelberg CX105
press, equipped with UV and aqueous
coating. Additionally, Marzek has started
a roll-fed operation at the plant.
Marzek made its first move into the
Ukraine as early as 2000, when it entered
into a profitable joint venture with a local
converting group, which ended in 2005.
This time the deal gives Marzek the
major share in a joint venture with
Pechatny Dvor, one of Ukraine’s leading
packaging printers based in the city of
Dnipropetrovsk.
The deal keeps on board the highly
entrepreneurial CEO of Pechatny Dvor,
Dimitry Nudel, who started his graphic
arts career selling carbonless paper
before recognizing a growing demand
for multi-color commercial printing. His
first press was a Ryobi, which is still
running. ‘I then decided that labels and
flexible packaging were more profitable,’
says Nudel.
To take full advantage of the growing
Ukrainian consumer market and to
promote exports to Central Europe,
Nudel needed significant investment, so
the approach by Marzek was well timed.
The JV agreement was signed in 2009.
‘Mr Nudel’s strengths are spotting new
packaging opportunities in the Ukraine,’
says Marzek Group CEO Johannes
Michael Wareka. ‘He has a fantastic eye
for market niches.’
The first year of the JV was a great
success, with the new company growing
over 30 percent. ‘We expect the same
this year,’ says Michael Wareka.
There are estimated to be only some
30 specialist label converters in Ukraine.
‘There is a lot of potential, but the
market still grows more slowly than it
could,’ says Dimitry Nudel. ‘But with
the Marzek connection we have the
possibility to export to Central Europe.
We are an international group and can
serve customers locally where they
need to be served.’