Expansion in Brazil
This year, GEKA has more than doubled its facility in Brazil in order to respond to the market potential in Latin America and Brazil in particular. This expansion will bring warehouse responsibilities in-house, allowing both finished and semi-finished products to be stored at the site. The new building will increase capacity by 25% with the addition of an assembly line, an injection molding (IM) machine, and an injection blow molding (IBM) machine. The move into the new building will start in September 2024, with production scheduled to start in January 2025.
Enhancements in USA
GEKA’s site in Elgin, Illinois, currently houses two halls for warehouse and production purposes. Over the course of the year GEKA will optimize the layout to improve material flow and process efficiency. The reorganization of the global assembly footprint will dramatically boost the site’s production capacity.
The Elgin site will also see the introduction of two hot foil printing machines for cap and bottle decoration. Technology transfers from GEKA's headquarters will include a silk screen printing machine capable of two-color printing, with a capacity of up to 15 million units per year. Production of molded mascara brushes and wipers, previously exclusive to the headquarters, will also take place at the Elgin site.
Additionally, the existing filling line will be automated, and quality inspections will be conducted locally with the installation of a GOM machine. This advanced measuring device will enable precise and efficient quality inspections on-site, speeding up the production process and ensuring that all products meet the high standards expected in the beauty industry before leaving the facility.
Investments at Bechhofen headquarters
At GEKA's headquarters in Bechhofen, Germany, 2024 will be a year of significant technological advancements and capacity enhancements. The facility will see the introduction of new decoration machines, including embossing and silk screen machines. These new machines will allow GEKA to increase the capacity of their beauty application products.
Furthermore, the Bechhofen facility will be equipped with additional IM and IBM machines. To further enhance automated processes and operational efficiency, GEKA will also install three new assembly machines. These machines are designed to handle complex assembly tasks with precision, which will significantly improve the production process.
The final investment comes in the form of three new packaging robots at Bechhofen. These robots will automate various packaging tasks, ensuring consistency, reducing manual labor, and increasing throughput. This move towards greater automation will allow GEKA to enhance productivity and effectively scale its operations to meet growing customer demand.
Strategically important investments
This series of expansions across three sites on three continents is a clear sign of GEKA's long-term strategy to bolster its global reach while maintaining strong local support. By increasing production efficiency and capacity, GEKA is poised to meet growing market demands and continue its leadership in beauty application solutions.
"Our investments in 2024 are a testament to GEKA's commitment to innovation and excellence," said Oliver Vogel, GEKA CEO "By expanding our facilities and enhancing our capabilities, we are positioning GEKA for sustained growth and success in the beauty industry."
GEKA's expansion plans underscore its dedication to providing high-precision, innovative beauty application solutions to customers worldwide. With these strategic developments, GEKA is set to achieve new milestones in production efficiency, capacity, and technological advancement.
