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Sandler AG records increase in turnover for 6th consecutive year

2012 was another successful year for Sandler AG: For the 6th consecutive time the nonwovens manufacturer from Schwarzenbach/Saale, Germany, succeeded in increasing its sales volume to total 247 million Euros. The company recorded growth in all market segments – from hygiene and wipes applications, to technical applications in the automobile, filtration, construction and technical insulation, to nonwovens for home textiles and office acoustics. The number of staff members rose by 20 in 2012 to a total 570 employees. At the company location in Schwarzenbach, Sandler invested 6.5 million Euros in a new meltblown production line. This acquistion expands the capacities for the manufacturing of synthetic filter media, which will continue to be one of the drivers of growth for Sandler AG.

Innovation and advancement, flexibility and service are Sandler’s credo and true to this philosophy the company developed the Schwarzenbach location into a centre of excellence in the production of nonwovens. The flexible transfer of know-how between the departments, the deployment of various production technologies in new fields of application and synergy effects resulting from this wide range have become one of Sandler’s signature features.

The continuous optimisation of production processes is essential to Sandler’s growth course. At state-of-the-art production lines professional maintenance is a top priority, both in terms of safety considerations and with respect to product quality. Qualified staff members in the operating technology department ensure around the clock that production runs smoothly. At the largest production lines, the maintenance team consists of up to 50 professionals. The procedure is accurately defined, ensuring a quick response in case of a disruption and that malfunctions can be repaired at short notice. In 2013, the company will also invest 2.5 million Euros in expanding Sandler’s maintenance centre. The new section of the building will accommodate the up to 20,000 replacement parts, which are kept on hand for the state-of-the-art production lines operated by the technology leader.

Intra-company logistics support this reorganisation in order to continue operating efficiently. Yet, in-house as well as pertaining to the transportation of raw materials and finished goods Sandler focuses on sustainability and the preservation of valuable resources. Every month, up to 1,000 truck and container loads leave the company and are shipped to customers around the globe. Choosing the right means of transportation makes all the ecological difference. When it comes to the delivery of raw materials Sandler also banks on reducing the carbon footprint and has transferred these movements of goods to rail wherever possible. This way, Sandler strives to protect the environment and to remain a flexible and reliable partner in international trade. The status Authorized Economic Operator and the certification AEO-F (customs and security) obtained in May 2012 are evident of Sandler being a reliable partner, whose entire supply and manufacturing chain is considered safe as per EU and German regulations.

Particularly in the wake of the energy transition, efficient heat insulation in buildings is at the centre of attention for both companies and consumers alike. In this sector, Sandler strikes a new path: “Every day we count on textiles to protect us from the weather and other external influences. Why not also rely on these functional comfort-bringers when it comes to conserving energy?” says CEO Dr. Christian Heinrich Sandler. “In various technical applications textiles offer an ideal combination of comfort and functionality.” Nonwoven panels reliably insulate heat even on uneven surfaces and prevent heat loss through roof and walls – a definite plus when it comes to energy consumption. They are agreeable to the skin and easy-to-handle without having to use any protective equipment. Polyester, the material that protects us in the form of comfortable clothes and makes recycling a daily routine in the form of beverage bottles, is the material of choice for these products. The textile fabrics are single-polymer, partly made of recycled fibres. At the end of their operating life, they can be reprocessed and put to new use. In 2012, these new developments were at the centre of attention on occasion of Sandler’s first participation in the ISO trade fair in Cologne, the leading European trade fair for insulation materials and technology.

Sound insulation, not least in office spaces, was another focal point in Sandler’s product development last year. In this area of application, nonwovens also offer a textile alternative, create pleasant conversational acoustics and, at the same time, are a real eye-catcher with respect to product design. Printed or embossed, they create an individual room layout in partition walls or suspended ceilings; for a pleasant ambiance at the workplace. At the Orgatec 2012 trade fair, likewise in Cologne, manufacturers of office equipment had the opportunity to have a first-hand look at these new developments.

The production of these nonwovens is energy-intensive. The preservation of this valuable resource and the reduction of the CO2-emissions are the focus of Sandler’s energy management, which has been certified according to DIN EN ISO 50001 since 2012. In this area, Sandler again demonstrated its capability for innovation. In addition to ongoing documentation of the energy consumption and the implementation of measures towards its reduction Sandler installed energy monitors at its production lines. This system indicates the real-time energy consumption, allowing the experienced staff to optimise it by means of specific modulations during production, without affecting the quality of the finished goods. For this innovation, Sandler received an award for small and medium-sized enterprises in the category Environment/Sustainability in 2012.

In 2013 Sandler will again face various challenges – from the economic development, to raw material prices, through to the energy transition. However, in light of the company’s positive development across the years, Sandler’s management optimistically look to the future. Staff members and executives identify with the company and bring it forward with their competence and experience – an ideal basis for the continued growth of one of the world’s largest nonwovens manufacturers.