Half a century of packaging machines “Made in Germany”
SOMIC looks back with pride and forward with determination
Amerang, October 2024 - SOMIC Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. What began in 1974 as a small mechanical engineering company in a garage in Vogtareuth has developed into a global leader in the field of end-of-line packaging. With customers in 45 countries and a team of 560 employees at its various locations, SOMIC today sets standards in packaging technology for the food and non-food industry. An anniversary that provides an opportunity to look back on an impressive success story, technological milestones and pioneering developments.
The beginnings: from cheese hordes to complex packaging systems
In 1974, Manfred and Hildegard Bonetsmüller founded the company SOMIC with the aim of automating the individual production steps in cheese dairies. The first machines supported the production process by stacking hordes of cheese. Later, machines for many other production stages were added until entire lines were manufactured. A decisive step was taken in 1988, when SOMIC shifted its focus towards packaging technology with the first KA-20 carton erector.
The possibility of using the cartoning machines for other industries was quickly recognized. In the years that followed, packaging machines for peanut cans and baked pea bags were designed and manufactured. An important key moment in the company's history was certainly the exclusive focus on secondary packaging for a wide range of food and non-food products in the 1990s.
A consistent feature in the history of SOMIC is the innovative strength that has enabled continuous improvement and further development of the packaging machines. To this day, the modular design of the machines enables flexible solutions that adapt to customer requirements. The focus is always on performance and efficiency.
Milestones in machine development:
- SOMIC 404 (from 1996): The SOMIC 404 machine generation was developed in a modular design and already fulfilled all the basic functions of today's machines.
- SOMIC 414 (from 2001): The 414 generation of machines built on the success of the 404. The integration of servo drive technology into the machine assemblies paved the way for further progress, resulting in a significant increase in speed and precision in the packaging process.
- SOMIC 424 (from 2009): This machine generation impressed with even more flexibility and individuality for customer requirements. By developing autonomous, modular functional assemblies, SOMIC combined mechanics, electrics and software to offer improved performance, user-friendliness and accessibility. In addition, the Quick Change system enabled tool-free format changes for the first time.
- SOMIC 434 (since 2023): The latest generation of machines takes packaging technology to a new level. The platform concept of the SOMIC 434 offers a narrow, linear footprint and fits seamlessly into customers' production lines. The automated, electronically controlled format changeover and the extremely high processing speeds - up to 500 chocolate bars or 360 pouches of beverage powder per minute - mark another milestone in development.
The optimum packaging machine for every packaging task
SOMIC's success is based not only on technical innovation, but also on close cooperation with customers. From the very beginning, trusting contact with users has been a decisive factor in the development of optimum packaging solutions. This philosophy is still evident today: the best solution is developed together with the customer as early as the project planning phase. Product grouping, material selection and carton cutting are carefully coordinated to maximize efficiency and cost savings.
Since 2016, an in-house plotter has enabled the production of prototype packaging blanks so that customers can see directly from a practical example how their products could be packaged. This approach creates transparency and trust and offers solutions that are precisely tailored to customers' individual needs.
From drawing board to high-tech factory
SOMIC's technological journey began on the drawing board. Until the 1990s, machines were still designed manually. The use of 2D and later 3D CAD programs then led to a new era in mechanical engineering. A further quantum leap was made in 2012 with the “SOMIC RealSource” simulation: this software combines the original machine software with a 3D simulation, allowing the packaging process to be visualized even before the machine is built. Customers can already see how their products will be packaged during the planning phase - a huge plus for safety and planning.
Focus on people: modern human-machine interface (HMI)
The operation of the machines has also changed significantly. While simple switches and buttons still dominated in the 1980s, the current SOMIC machines rely on state-of-the-art human-machine interfaces (HMI). These make it possible to control the packaging machine conveniently via a touch panel, carry out voice switching and call up extensive production statistics. This not only makes the machines easier to operate, but also significantly more efficient and productive. If necessary, machine settings can be corrected or adjusted via remote access to the HMI. In many cases, this enables rapid assistance - without the need for a technician to visit the site.
International success: From Upper Bavaria to the world
SOMIC received its first international orders back in the 1990s. Today, the company has a strong international presence, with customers in 45 countries worldwide. The establishment of the US subsidiary SOMIC Packaging Inc. in 2014 and the opening of the branch in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2023 are the biggest steps in the expansion of international activities. Sales partners in many other countries ensure global accessibility.
Our success in the USA has already led to two relocations. One milestone was the move of SOMIC Packaging, Inc. to our own company building in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, where we have been able to manufacture all of our packaging machines in an area of around 4,600 m² since October 2024. This once again demonstrates our commitment to being close to our customers and delivering the best quality - worldwide.
50 years of SOMIC: the success story continues
Patrick Bonetsmüller, the son of the company founder, took over the management of the company in 2015. The organization as a family foundation provides the company with a solid foundation and continuity.
The secret of SOMIC's success is its clear vision and high willingness to innovate. Manfred and Hildegard Bonetsmüller laid the foundations for a company that always sees technological challenges as an opportunity to develop customer-oriented solutions. Whether fully automatic end-of-line packaging or flexible grouping systems such as the new CORAS system - SOMIC continues to set standards in the packaging industry.
“Our goal has always been to offer customers the best packaging solutions that are not only efficient, but also sustainable, flexible and reliable. This philosophy still drives us today - and will continue to do so in the future,” says Managing Director Patrick Bonetsmüller.
With a clear view of the coming years and a great reputation on the international markets, SOMIC is looking forward to the next 50 years. Because one thing is certain: the journey from SOMIC will continue.