Bekum enters a new era

Düsseldorf, Germany — It's a new era for German blow mold machine producer Bekum Maschinenfabriken GmbH, as the family-owned company makes a transition to fresh leadership.

Company founder and Plastics Hall of Fame member Gottfried Mehnert died in August at age 87, leaving the company in the hands of his youngest son, Michael. While Michael Mehnert had officially taken the reins of Bekum in 2016 after shares were transferred to him, Gottfried Mehnert's stamp remained on the company, said Christian Richard, Bekum corporate communications director.

Michael Mehnert, 40, has put a fresh imprint on Bekum that is already apparent in new machinery unveiled by Bekum at K 2022. The company launched 20 new models under its all-electric 8-series machines. The new equipment is sleek, vivid in color and has a new, smaller modular design that is made to run faster, Richard said.

"[Michael Mehnert] has brought new developments into the company," Richard said. "We have new thinking, new behavior. It was necessary to make the company more future-oriented."

The proof is in the new machinery. The older Bekum blow molding unit had been likened by some in the industry to boxy school buses. In comparison, the 8-series machinery is a glitzy billboard.

The equipment features a thick yellow stripe across the top, signifying safety and also drawing attention to the operation, said Gary Carr, Bekum vice president of sales at Williamston, Mich.-based Bekum America Corp. A transparent, acrylic sheet with doors showcases the machinery inside and can be opened by use of smart glasses that contain a camera. A larger, 24-inch portrait screen, which Carr likened to an instrument panel on a Tesla, offers more visibility.

While Gottfried Mehnert was more of an engineer, his son has a stronger sense of design and a customer focus, Richard said. The company is following that path with its equipment. The company released the first iteration of the 8-series at K 2019 in a concept machine but now is launching a large rollout of models that can offer three different sizes on one modular design and either single or double clamping.

The company also is highlighting a three-layer extrusion system that can add post-consumer resin in a center layer to meet sustainability requirements. The use of PCR in a less obtrusive middle layer helps eliminate the effects of the recyclate on odor, color or black specks that can hinder its use on products, Carr said.

Bekum's new control system is also Industry 4.0 capable and can use augmented reality to troubleshoot and repair issues, Carr said. It also is launching extruders that use 80 percent less energy than former models, he said.

The company is exploring new applications for its blow molding technology. Its 8-series machines can make a product in a cut design with sharper edges that work well in household and personal care products. It is finding more interest in single-use packaging applications, even with sustainability issues, and the use of recycled material can help ease those needs, Carr said.

In the U.S. market, Bekum has completed an expansion in Williamston, adding 40,000 square feet of production and 7,400 square feet of offices. The project began just prior to the start of the pandemic, and there was talk whether the company should continue with its expansion plans. But ultimately, it was decided that enlarging the facility would benefit the company for the longer term, Carr said.

The new look at Bekum equipment will help the company establish even stronger ties with customers, Richard said. "The machines look amazing," he said. "We've worked on how to project a stronger image. We are becoming more modern, innovation and forward-thinking."