The document summarizes the history and purpose of the Packaging Excellence Region Stuttgart (PEC). It discusses: 1) The origins of packaging companies in the Stuttgart region in the 1860s and their consolidation under Bosch in 1969-1970. 2) How PEC was founded in 2007 as a competence center and network to bundle innovative forces in the packaging industry in Stuttgart and boost synergies between companies, universities and research institutes. 3) PEC now has over 50 members ranging from world leaders to SMEs and provides a platform for experience sharing, cooperation projects, innovation and strengthening global competitiveness.

2. 1. Background
1861:
Foundation of the enterprise Geiger & Hesser
Post-war period:
Foundation of the enterprise Höfliger & Karg
1969/1970:
Takeover by the Bosch Group of bouth enterprises
Origin of numerous enterprises of the packaging industry
Organically grown business cluster

3. 2. Packaging Cluster

4. 2. Packaging Cluster
Packing
Protection and transportation instrument
Marketing and handling function
Special packaging solutions
durability of the packing
Globalization
Packaging machines
Increasing requirements , more competition
High demand of flexibility
Need of modularity and interlaced solutions

5. 2. Packaging Cluster
From enterprises for enterprises
Overcome “language barriers”
Skilled employees: education and training
Initiation and support of cooperation projects
Main goal:
bundle innovative forces of the Stuttgart Region in a more effective way in
order to boost synergies and provide sustainable contributions for a faster
transfer of research results into marketable products and results.

6. 3. Foundation of the PEC
Institutionalised and moderated cooperation platform
Network comprising most important packaging technology players in the
Stuttgart Region
Foundation of PEC: 26.10.2007
Packaging Excellence Region Stuttgart e.V.
Competence center for the packaging and automation technology
36 initial members
Location: City of Waiblingen

7. 3. Foundation of the PEC
PEC as Competence Center:
Combining all regional forces of the packaging industry (companies, universities,
research institutes, etc.) to an institutionalised and moderated network.
basis for synergies and cooperation is created.
Increase of innovation
Strengthening of global competitiveness

8. 4. Members
Currently > 50 members
World leader, small and middle sized companies in packaging
Family businesses
Suppliers
Universities
Specialized engineering and services providers
Institutions

9. 4. Members
LANDKREIS LUDWIGSBURG
REMS-MURR-KREIS
STUTTGART
LANDKREIS GÖPPINGEN
LANDKREIS ESSLINGEN
LANDKREIS BÖBLINGEN
REGION STUTTGART
LANDKREIS LUDWIGSBURG
REMS-MURR-KREIS
STUTTGART
LANDKREIS GÖPPINGEN
LANDKREIS ESSLINGEN
LANDKREIS BÖBLINGEN
REGION STUTTGART

10. 5. Tasks
Moderating the interface between economy, science and politics
Organised platform for the exchange of experience and the initiation of
cooperation projects
Link to other networks and competence centers
Supporting the implementation and application of innovation
Demonstration of application potentials of new technologies
Initiatives of education and training
Common booth at different fairs

11. 6. Agenda
Study Groups: Services, Virtual Engineering, Innovation Clean Packaging,
Pack ML
Internationalisation / Development of foreign markets
Meetings at a members companies
Workshops/seminars:
„Ultrasonic welding and punching in the packaging technology“
“EC machinery directive”
“Future Trends in the packaging technology”
Fairs

12. 6. Agenda
The PEC offers its members the possibility to participate in a network providing
the possibility of intense dialogue with industry and research in order to look
“beyond one’s own nose”.

13. Thanks for your kind attention.