Introducing the new POLIFILM Performance Films GmbH
Interview with Managing Director Jens Kölble
Flexible. Agile. Professional. – this may sound like an ideal vision of business and employee partnership with a company that supports its customers in getting the best out of their solutions, yet it is much more than that. These three keywords describe exactly the values actively represented by the newly established POLIFILM Performance Films subgroup. For the former business unit Packaging & Performance Films of POLIFILM EXTRUSION GmbH, managing director Jens Kölble has a clear picture and a plan for achieving this together with his highly motivated team. In this interview, the 43-year-old reveals the current stage the company is at, what business partners can look forward to, as well as what is changing and what will remain the same.
The Packaging & Performance Films division became the independent POLIFILM Performance Films subgroup with effect from 1 January 2025. The name raises the immediate question of whether customers will have to say goodbye to packaging films from POLIFILM?
Not at all. We are and will remain the partner for packaging, laminating, labelling and process films. The individual product segments will be further developed in a targeted manner. The focus is on high-performance films, particularly for the packaging industry.
What can business partners expect from POLIFILM Performance Films these days?
We have invested a lot of energy in recent months to take a close look at where we are […] and where we really want to be, in order to move forward from that position.
Jens KölbleManaging Director POLIFILM Performance Films
In the last few months, we have invested a lot of energy in taking a close look at where we are, where we should be, and where we really want to be in order to grow in a targeted manner and, above all, to move forward, especially in terms of being an independent subgroup. The results of this analysis are clear: a strong market orientation, flexibility and agility in both thought and action. We have started to implement these changes immediately. Our business partners can already look forward to faster communication for quicker decision-making and a whole range of new innovative solutions, particularly in terms of flexible packaging.
Innovative solutions – that sounds exciting. What new developments and innovations can we look forward to?
We do multi-layer extrusion, which is, everything from 3 to 18 layers – with and without barrier layers. We are deliberately expanding our portfolio to ensure our partners are prepared for the upcoming regulations such as the PPWR, increased use of PCR, MDO solutions – in short, everything that makes film solutions even stronger and more sustainable. Thanks to the support of the POLIFILM Group, we can flank these measures with the appropriate investments in renewal of our machinery, internationally.
We are systematically expanding our portfolio to ensure our partners are fit for upcoming regulatory requirements such as the PPWR.
Jens KölbleManaging Director POLIFILM Performance Films
That sounds like a strong forward momentum. Is there also something that will remain the same and you will hold on to from the last few years?
In recent years, we had already started to internationalise our business and we will continue to do so. In particular, with regard to strong growth markets such as Asia. Above all, however, and this is important to me personally, we continue to trust the people who have brought us this far across all locations. I am proud to be able to call such a strong team my team. Two highly motivated sales managers are taking the lead in developing the markets with their teams, we are breaking new ground with a stronger presence in the network, and experience meets drive in the production departments. Of course, we have also made some changes. But in keeping with the spirit of the family business, we are empowering people to do what they are really good at, enabling them in their roles and providing targeted further development where necessary and wherever possible.
Two strong sales managers for POLIFILM Performance Films GmbH
If we had this conversation in five years time, what would make you really proud of yourself and your team?
That I am still working with the same management team, new highly qualified colleagues have joined our international but still lean organisation, and we are recognised as a barrier specialist and the European market leader in the production of MDO films for printing composite films. Ideally, we will also be seen as a specialist in one or two other product areas, along with additional production capacity outside Germany. However, I will not reveal which product areas and locations are being considered for this today.
That’s a pity, but understandable. Finally, a different question from a wider perspective, now that we’ve learned so much about POLIFILM Performance Films: What do you personally wish for the industry?
Something that is probably wished for by many managers in our industry today: more predictable times after the exciting last few years. As the person responsible for three locations in Germany, I would also like to see a little more calm in the form of prudence with regard to politics, as well as the necessary support from the state and the EU. This is crucial for the competitiveness of the German packaging industry.
About Jens Kölble
Since mid-2019, the South German-born has been part of the POLIFILM Group. He joined the company as Head of Packaging & Performance Films and was quickly appointed Managing Director of the plants in Osterburken and Neukirchen. Today, he is responsible for the POLIFILM Performance Films division. Jens Kölble has already held various management positions in the film industry.