Geka is getting ready to meet the growing demand from its customers around the world! The German manufacturer has undertaken a series of strategic investments throughout 2024 across its three facilities in Brazil, the United States and Germany. These targeted developments aim to enhance production capacity, streamline processes, and implement state-of-the-art technologies to better serve the company’s clients.
Expanded capabilities in Brazil
This year, Geka has more than doubled the size of its facility in São Paulo, Brazil, in order to respond to the market potential in Latin America in general, and in Brazil in particular.
The new building increases the site’s capacity by 25% with the addition of a new assembly line, an injection molding machine, and an injection blow molding machine. In addition, the expansion will bring warehouse responsibilities in-house, allowing both finished and semi-finished products to be stored at the site.
The move into the new building is starting in September 2024, with production scheduled to begin in January 2025.
Streamlined processes and new productions in the USA
Geka’s site in Elgin, Illinois, currently houses two halls for warehouse and production purposes. Over the course of the year Geka has been optimizing the layout to improve material flow and process efficiency with the aim to boost the site’s production capacity.
Before the end of the year, the Elgin site will also see the introduction of a series of new equipment: two hot foil printing machines for cap and bottle decoration; a silk screen printing machine capable of two-color printing, with a capacity of up to 15 million units per year, to be transferred from Geka’s headquarters; a new machine to conduct precise and efficient quality inspections; and the automation of the existing filling line.
In addition, the production of molded mascara brushes and wipers, previously exclusive to Geka’s German headquarters, will also take place in Elgin.
Enhanced automation in Germany
Geka’s headquarters in Bechhofen, Germany, are also included in this series of massive investments aimed at increasing capabilities.
The introduction of new decoration machines, including embossing and silk screen machines, has been scheduled throughout the year. Furthermore, the Bechhofen facility will be equipped with additional injection molding and injection blow molding machines. Geka is also set to install three new assembly machines designed to handle complex tasks.
Eventually, three new packaging robots will complete this year’s investments at Bechhofen. These robots will automate various packaging tasks, ensuring consistency, reducing manual labor, and increasing throughput.
With this series of investments across three sites on three continents Geka aims to bolster its global reach in order to maintain strong support to its local customers in the long-term.
“Our investments in 2024 are a testament to Geka’s commitment to innovation and excellence,” said Oliver Vogel, Geka CEO.
A subsidiary of the Swiss industrial group Medmix, Geka has production sites in Germany, the United States, Brazil and China. The company produces applicators and packaging components for various categories of cosmetic products, including mascaras and lipglosses.
