SIG Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft Holding AG (CH-8212 Neuhausen; www.sig.ch) underwent a strategic realignment in the 2000 business year. The group parted with divisions that were not related to packaging and made its entry into the growth field of PET by acquiring the former Krupp Kunststofftechnik, now known as SIG Plastics International GmbH (D-45412 Essen) and filling machinery manufacturer Hamba Maschinenfabrik Hans A. Müller GmbH & Co GK (D-66539 Neunkirchen; www.hamba.de). As is currently being reported to the press, business developed positively by comparison to the previous year. Incoming orders and sales are 12% above the values for the previous year, at CHF 2.16 bn and CHF 2.19 bn respectively. The operating result (EBITA) showed a profit of CHF 107m, while one year previously, a loss of CHF 33m had been incurred. The group´s existing packaging divisions of SIG Combibloc and SIG Pack made a sustainable contribution to this improvement, according to the company. SIG Plastics has achieved a balanced result; reorganisation and integration costs have brought down the figure.

In 2001, following the strategic repositioning, “maximum priority is being accorded to focusing on customer benefit and to improving the operating results.” Markets are expected to recover still further, with the exception of the USA. All three company divisions are to reduce their costs and capital employed through deliberate exploitation of the market potential and improved business processes, and are to increase their sales and result. In strategic terms, SIG is intending to close the gaps that still exist, making use of the acquisition opportunities which present themselves.

• e-Service:
SIG Financial Report on the 2000 business year as PDF document (285KB)