The Swiss manufacturer of fine and specialty papers based in Grellingen (BL) increased net production in 2010 by 5% (from 62,200 tonnes to 65,000 tonnes). In spite of the weaker EUR, USD and GBP, sales revenue also grew by 2% (from CHF 103 million to CHF 105 million). Notwithstanding the difficult market environment with steeply rising raw materials prices, operational cash flow was maintained at a satisfactory level. Investments of CHF 4.1 million reflected the volume of the previous year. Ziegler Paper Mill remains free from debt and employs a workforce of 180 (165.6 FTE). In addition, the company is training ten apprentices.
Even in the demanding 2010 business year, the mill continued to pursue its proven strategy: concentration on niche markets and specialities, further expansion of its geographic orientation, high quality and intensive customer service and support.
Distribution of Ziegler’s sales markets continued virtually unchanged during the year under review: 45% of production was sold within Switzerland, while 55% was exported. The lion’s share of exports went to Germany (20%), followed by the UK, Italy, the USA, France, Austria, Benelux and Spain. Business in the dollar and sterling areas continued to be restrained as a result of prevailing exchange rates, whereas efforts were stepped up on the domestic market. Eastern Europe, China and now Australia are interesting for the further development of specialties business and offer a wealth of opportunities.
Ziegler Paper Mill is the world’s leading manufacturer of inkjet papers for transactional documents. The latest product in this line, Z-Evolution, is unique and enjoyed a successful market breakthrough last year. The company’s share of the market for laminating base papers also grew steadily during the year under review. Premium-grade papers for graphics applications, which are being continually improved for the demanding Swiss market in particular, continue to be successful products for the Ziegler Paper mill.
The outlook for 2011 can be cautiously assessed as positive despite the continuing climb in the cost of pulp. As an independent family-run Swiss company, Ziegler Paper Mill is endeavouring to continue meeting the demands of its customers in today’s very volatile market environment both at home and abroad as a reliable and stabile provider of top-quality products and services. The mill attaches great importance to the management of its net working capital, to strict cost discipline and particularly to maintaining high liquidity.
In order to better meet the demands of a sharply changing market and the increased requirements of our customers, our sales department has been strengthened. Since 1 April 2011, Mr Peter Schreiner, who holds a Master Degree in Engineering of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, has occupied the position of international sales manager and is thus also a member of the extended executive committee. Mr Schreiner has many years of both national and international sales experience in the process industry. His most recent job was several years as member of the executive board and business unit manager at Kabel Brugg. Our former sales manager, Mrs Mirjam Hunziker, remains with the company as his deputy.
The general meeting of 25 March 2011 confirmed Philipp Kuttler-Frey in his role as managing director and also elected him as the chairman of the board of directors, thus succeeding Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. René L. Frey in this function. Prof. Frey remains a director of the mill.