1. Can you tell us about your role and SECIMEP’s actions in a few words?

I have been the President of SECIMEP for 3 years and am supported in my duties by our General Secretary, Armelle Philippart. SECIMEP represents more than 40 companies that sell leading equipment, essentially in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and beverage industries.

Alone, these companies total up an annual turnover of more than 450 million euros, as well as more than 180 brands sold domestically (in France) and for export.

They operate throughout the production line, from the manufacturing of the product to the conditioning process and the very end of the line and ensure the installation of the equipment and after-sales services.

Last year, we celebrated the 20 years of the professional organization created within the FICIME, the federation of international companies of mechanics and electronics.

2. This year, SECIMEP is joining the French Packaging Council as a member of its ninth grouping (other companies and organizations): can you explain to us the whole point of taking part in the French Packaging Council’s collective intelligence (Machines 4.0, artificial intelligence and machine flexibility according to materials, “the right packaging”, etc.) for the machine industry?

We are an integral part of our clients’ industrial process and provide them with the technical solutions they are looking for: machines that should enable them to adapt to the major market developments. These are driven by software-based solutions that are more and more integrated to the existing systems (MES/ERP) in order to reach a maximum efficiency.

The evolution of packaging materials, the increasing automation (robotization) of industrial processes or the serialization and traceability solutions are concrete examples of the matter, to which our members bring a solution.

These challenges and the ones to come can only be met collectively, i.e with the whole industry, to reach a better mutual understanding of challenges and solutions. This is what pushes us to join the French Packaging Council, hoping to bring our vision and job expertise.

3. What are the main concerns of SECIMEP’s members as far as packaging and its related machines are concerned?

They are clearly the concerns of our clients, namely industrials from the food, beverage, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry, mostly. These companies are obviously undergoing the double-pressure of the market, which is often contradictory. On one hand, they witness increasing regulation and standards regarding security and traceability. On the other hand, they face a strong ecological impulse leading to a more eco-friendly packaging or sometimes even no packaging at all (bulk). All of this comes along with an economical pressure that does not ease – in fact, it is quite the opposite. (Need for efficiency)

The evolution of packaging materials is a major concern. Becoming a member of the French Packaging Council will enable our members to obtain a better global vision of the subject, and thus better understand its challenges. Sharing and interacting with the entire industry are the key elements expected from our membership.

4. The French Packaging Council listens to its members. What topics would it be essential to document as part of its working groups?

As you will have understood it, we are highly interested in a vertical approach of the sector: from the consumer’s need to the industrials, the machine manufacturers, the supplier of packaging materials, the legislator of a particular topic would be of a great interest. Our members are willing to engage in such a procedure and to take part in the different workshops offered by the French Packaging Council.