SIG celebrates 170 years of its foundation
In June, the Swiss packaging solution provider SIG marked another milestone in its long history – 170 years of operation. Founded in 1853 and headquartered in Neuhausen, Switzerland, the company took the opportunity to look back on its history, visit its present, and explore the potential the future holds.
26 Jun 2023 | By Abhay Avadhani
Samuel Sigrist: Being in operation for 170 years is something to celebrate
The first celebratory event on 17 June centred on residents from Neuhausen’s local community, who were invited to SIG’s industrial area and headquarters to explore the facility and enjoy a food festival.
On 20 June, customers from all over the world participated in an exclusive event that included a tour through the ages from SIG’s perspective and a celebratory dinner. The final event occurred two days later on 22 June when SIG leaders arrived for an intensive two-day leadership meeting.
Samuel Sigrist, CEO, SIG said, “Being in operation for 170 years is something to celebrate and it was an excellent opportunity for us to showcase the spirit of SIG to our global customers and employees. The events reinforced the fact that while SIG has evolved over time, one aspect of our company has always remained the same, our commitment to delivering better for customers, consumers, and the world.”
Today, SIG is one of the leading providers of sustainable, innovative, and versatile packaging solutions. The company works in partnership with customers to bring food products to consumers globally in a safe, sustainable, and affordable way.
In 1906, its journey in food packaging began with packaging chocolates. The first beverage carton and filling machine was launched in Europe in 1930, while it was not until 1955 that Scholle, now part of SIG, invented the bag-in-box format that transformed distribution of liquid storage.
In 1975, beverage carton provider PKL introduced its combibloc aseptic packaging and filling system. SIG acquired PKL in 1989, creating a pathway for growth in aseptic packaging. At the beginning of this century, SIG decided to focus entirely on its packaging business. Joining forces with Scholle IPN and Evergreen Asia in 2022, the company extended its range to now include fresh and aseptic carton, bag-in-box, and spouted pouches.
The company is committed to working towards net positivity and has split its sustainability initiatives into four core areas: climate, forest, resource, and food.