SOMIC Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, highlighting its journey from a small mechanical engineering company to a global leader in end-of-line packaging. Founded in 1974 by Manfred and Hildegard Bonetsmüller in Vogtareuth, SOMIC has evolved into a company with customers in 45 countries and 560 employees across multiple locations.
Initially focused on automating cheese production processes, SOMIC shifted its focus to packaging technology in 1988 with the development of its first carton erector. The company’s transition to secondary packaging for food and non-food products in the 1990s marked a significant turning point.
Among its milestones, SOMIC introduced the modular SOMIC 404 series in 1996, which laid the foundation for subsequent innovations. The SOMIC 414 (2001) incorporated servo drive technology for greater speed and precision, while the SOMIC 424 (2009) added flexibility and user-friendliness with a Quick Change system for tool-free format adjustments. The latest SOMIC 434 series (2023) combines compact design with high-speed capabilities, processing up to 500 chocolate bars or 360 pouches per minute.
“From the outset, our goal has been to deliver efficient, sustainable, and flexible packaging solutions,” said Managing Director Patrick Bonetsmüller.
SOMIC attributes its success to close collaboration with customers during project planning, ensuring packaging systems are tailored to specific requirements. Innovations like in-house prototyping and the “SOMIC RealSource” simulation software have enhanced design transparency, enabling customers to visualize packaging processes before machines are built.
With a strong international presence, SOMIC has expanded operations to the U.S. and Asia, most recently opening a facility in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, and a branch in Bangkok, Thailand.
Looking ahead, SOMIC aims to continue driving innovation in the packaging industry. “Technological challenges remain opportunities for us to create customer-oriented solutions,” Bonetsmüller said.