The Swiss Packaging Institute (SVI, Bern; www.svi-verpackung.ch) has set itself the goal of supporting local packaging producers in coming to terms with the new currency reality that came into being after the Swiss franc was devalued in mid-January (see Plasteurope.com of 23.01.2015). The suspension of the minimum euro price has resulted in "upheaval and fear" in the sector, SVI reports, adding that a recent industry poll shows that two-thirds of Swiss packagers are already feeling pressured by the new exchange rate. About one-third of survey respondents said that following the Swiss National Bank’s (SNB) decision, they plan to optimise their processes in order to save costs. The latest statistics released by the country's federal customs authorities Eidgenössische Zollverwaltung (www.ezv.admin.ch) for February 2015 show that the plastics industry has been the sector hardest hit hardest by the currency devaluation (see Plasteurope.com of 26.03.2015).

Under the motto "The franc’s strength – let’s do something against it!", SVI plans to support packaging companies and is hosting two events that will address the ongoing currency difficulties.

On 29 April, the institute will host a conference in Olten / Switzerland that will address contractual obligations and present ideas for new clauses. Among the topics to be discussed is the question whether companies should feel obliged to grant their customers 20% discounts as a result of the franc’s strength and which clauses can be included in a contract to address price adjustments at times of exchange rate volatility.

A month later, on 27 May, SVI is offering a tour of Wegmüller’s plant in Attikonin, followed by a discussion on how to cut down on operative costs. By saving resources through energy usage as well as leaner and optimised processes while simultaneously avoiding wastage and unnecessary machinery operating times, the competitive disadvantage caused by the currency issues could be balanced out.