SOMIC Packaging welcomed more than 120 guests to its new North American corporate headquarters in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, U.S., on September 25. The event featured speeches from company and local officials, a ribbon cutting ceremony and tours of the 48,000-square-foot facility with machine demonstrations.
Attendees viewed the new 434 SuperFlex end-of-line packaging machine ahead of its formal introduction at PACK Expo Las Vegas. The facility also demonstrated various machines including the 434 with CORASÒ collating and grouping technology.
SOMIC Packaging CEO Peter Fox thanked those involved in establishing the headquarters during his opening remarks.
"The passion, pride and craftsmanship I saw was tangible; you could feel it. I discovered the SOMIC DNA," he explained. "It begins with a fundamental pursuit of perfection. There is nothing manufactured in the world that is 100% perfect, but it is the pursuit of perfection that is at the core of our SOMIC DNA."
Patrick Bonetsmuller, chairman of SOMIC Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH & Co., spoke about the new headquarters. James Schollett, president of the German American Chamber of Commerce Minnesota chapter, and Inver Grove Heights Mayor Brenda Dietrich also provided remarks.
Dr. Gerhard Huber, CEO of The SOMIC Group, discussed the company's commitment to US operations and future investment. Tim Haase, chief operating officer, addressed customers and provided information about future plans.
"We do this so we can be the leader in providing our customers with the best and most efficient way to automate their packaging operations. This makes them more competitive and efficient in the marketplace, and when they succeed, we succeed," said Fox. "This is why at SOMIC, we proudly say we are engineered to perform. And now we are made in the USA."
The facility opened in October 2024 and is located 10 minutes from the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. All North American machine installations are now being assembled in Minnesota.
