Press release

The Sihl Group is taking the next step on its transformation journey into becoming a modern technology company: As of 1 January 2022, Nadine Ottmann will assume the new position of Sales Director Labels + Tags in EMEA and APAC.

Nadine Ottmann was previously Sales Manager in the Cables and Wires Division of Coroplast Fritz Müller GmbH & Co KG. At Sihl GmbH, she will also assume responsibility for all sales activities in the Labels + Tags segment and report directly to Stefan Benito, VP Commercial of the Sihl Group.

Even before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Ms Ottmann gained commercial experience at Rhewum GmbH in Remscheid. After her studies, she started at Coroplast in the business unit Technical Adhesive Tapes as Key Account Manager. She then took over the global sales management for the business unit. As part of the internationalisation strategy, Ms Ottmann built up the local sales and logistics team of Coroplast Tape Corp. in the USA. In her last position at Coroplast as Sales Manager, she was responsible for sales of 100 million euros.

Gained additional experience in the sustainable development of business fields in a global context for the Sihl Group

“With her extensive experience in building and developing segments, Nadine will bring new impetus to the Label + Tags segment. Driving profitable growth in our existing markets and innovation platforms, as well as improving customer focus are clearly defined goals for the next renewal phase on our transformation journey,” says Stefan Benito about the new tasks of the Sales Director Labels + Tags.

Nadine Ottmann will take up her new position from 1 January 2022.

The craft trend has caught on in recent years: Craft simply means “made by hand”. Beverages such as beer and smoothies in particular are increasingly being made by hand in small quantities with love. Small manufactories and regional suppliers are conquering the hearts of consumers.

In order to be noticed at the point of sale compared to large beverage producers, the craft beverage scene relies on eye-catching designs for the labels of their cans and PET bottles. Only beverage brands that attract attention immediately catch the customer’s eye at the shelf and stand out from the competition. For this, the labels must be individually designed and printable in small volumes.

No problem with the high-quality FACESTOCK films from Sihl’s laser range! With these, craft beverage producers can now print individual labels quickly and on demand with the best image quality at low investment costs. This is possible with laser desktop printers from quantity 1 up to short runs, which can be printed from roll to roll.

Resistant to water, alcohol and disinfectant, the FACESTOCK products lend beverage cans and PET bottles the perfect look for the stylish craft scene, marketing campaigns, gifts or personal customer requests. This means limitless flexibility and independence for small manufactories.

Choosing the right colour and surface ensures labels have a unique style. Sihl offers the choice between transparent, white, silver and the different surfaces glossy, satin and matt.

You can find all further information quickly and easily online: www.sihl.com/en/facestock-labels-for-laser

The Sihl Group is taking the next step on its transformation journey into becoming a modern technology company: On September 1, 2021, Stefan Benito will assume the new position of Vice President Commercial for EMEA and APAC.

54 years old and born in Düsseldorf, Benito previously served for six years on the management board of Thomas GmbH, focusing on sales and marketing as well as its Chinese subsidiary. At the Sihl Group, he will also assume responsibility for all sales and market management activities in his territories and report directly to Peter K. Wahsner, CEO of the Sihl Group.

After graduating with a degree in business administration, Benito gained extensive international commercial experience at Air Liquide GmbH in Düsseldorf, the Siegwerk Druckfarben Group, Huber Packaging Group GmbH and Cabot Switzerland GmbH. In his last position at Thomas GmbH, he was not only a director with responsibility for sales of 75 million euros, but also chairman of the board of directors for five subsidiaries in the USA, Argentina and Spain.

New leadership experience for the Sihl Group

“With his extensive commercial experience and proven leadership skills, Stefan will bring new leadership expertise to the commercial organisation. Driving profitable growth in our existing markets and innovation platforms, as well as improving customer focus are clearly defined goals for the next renewal phase on our transformation journey,” says Peter K. Wahsner, discussing the new responsibilities of the Vice President Commercial.

Stefan Benito will take up his new position on September 1, 2021.

The management consultancy Munich Strategy conducted the “Innovation Champions 2021” study on behalf of business weekly WirtschaftsWoche and selected the 100 most innovative SMEs in Germany. Sihl GmbH ranked 12th with 180 points.

“Innovation is our DNA, and to be one of Germany’s top 12 most innovative SMEs is a major accolade for us. It shows that we have successfully bridged the gap between tradition and modernity to create unique solutions, trends and potential for our customers,” says Peter K. Wahsner, CEO of the Sihl Group, delighted with the result.

Sihl’s corporate strategy is geared towards innovation, with the focus not only on its core business but also and above all on research and development. With comprehensive technology and market scouting, new opportunities are being developed – for example in flexible packaging with ARTYSIO, or in the area of customisation and personalisation with the joint venture PERIGON.

100 innovation champions chosen from 4,000 companies

For the study, Munich Strategy looked at and evaluated 4,000 German companies with a turnover of between EUR 10 million and EUR 1 billion. Finally, it selected 100 “Innovation Champions 2021” from 400 finalists that distinguished themselves as industry leaders and through innovations.

The basis for the final selection was an “innovation score,” which is calculated as two-thirds innovativeness and one-third company performance. To determine innovativeness, Munich Strategy examined the extent to which companies are characterised by continuous innovations (innovation vitality), whether they are considered innovative by the market and competitors (innovation perception), and whether they invest in innovations on a
sustained basis (R&D and tech power). Performance is calculated on the basis of sales growth, earnings ratio and EBIT growth over the last four years.

“The most innovative companies create real added value for their customers that goes far beyond the mere product,” explains Barbara Siegert, innovation expert and author of the study. “Internal processes or production methods are being improved, and traditional business models are increasingly being replaced by customer-centric digital products and services.”

The overall ranking with the 100 “Innovation Champions 2021” can be found on the WirtschaftsWoche website: https://www.wiwo.de/unternehmen/mittelstand/vorbild-biontech-deutschlands-innovativste-mittelstaendler-rang-1-bis-100-im-ueberblick/27422392-4.html

PICOFILM O-60 white XM1 from the FACESTOCK product range by Sihl has not only been approved seven times to BS5609 Section 3, but is also free of the hazardous substances indicated in the SVHC list (as of July 2021).

Transporting goods by sea means covering long distances, often in extreme weather conditions. Labels are thereby used to reliably identify goods of all categories, including hazardous substances and toxic chemicals according to the GHS.

Approval according to the internationally recognised standard BS5609 Section 3 guarantees reliable and resilient labelling in the selected printing process for this type of application. We are delighted that PICOFILM O-60 WHITE XM1 from the FACESTOCK product range by Sihl is certified for seven different inkjet printers or printheads (Epson (3x), Primera, Swift, HP PageWide, Afinia). The resilient surface is supplied with a white, robust film.

The product is also free of hazardous substances and features an optimum thickness that allows more labels to be printed on one reel as compared to other matt inkjet films. The benefits: higher productivity thanks to fewer reel changes and environmental friendliness thanks to a very low use of plastics.

Detailed information about FACESTOCK can be found here: www.sihl.com/en/facestock/.