We need to create genuine innovations for the market

Warmest congratulations, Dr Burkhardt! What are you most looking forward to as you take up your new challenge – and at Vetropack?

Many thanks! What I’m most excited about now is becoming more familiar with the people at Vetropack, and with the company itself. So far, of course, my view has been very much from the outside – but that can be an advantage as well. From my previous work, I know Vetropack as a strong group of companies that is not only listed on the stock exchange but is also a family business, in an exciting market with a very promising future. The meetings I’ve had so far confirm this: Vetropack is a company that’s strategically well-positioned, with a highly motivated and very professional team. That’s the decisive factor in our industry, because a lot of know-how resides in people’s minds. I see great potential there – a lot of creativity – and I‘m really looking forward to working with the team.

How familiar are you with the glass industry already? What experience do you bring to your new post?

At present, I head the Primary Packaging Glass Division at a large speciality packaging manufacturer which operates internationally. So I come to my new position at Vetropack equipped with some degree of industry knowledge and experience. I’m fascinated by the glass industry, and what I appreciate about it in general is that we manufacture high-quality products that are sustainable as well. Personally speaking, I believe this contribution to society is very important. I‘m looking forward to continuing to develop this at Vetropack. I have also worked a lot internationally. I‘m looking forward to that too: Vetropack is an international group with strong Swiss roots. That suits me nicely.

What challenges do you see Vetropack facing at present?

No doubt about it: our industry is currently going through difficult times in certain markets. There are plenty of reasons for this, and we ourselves are quite unable to influence many of them – such as changes in consumer behaviour due to economic uncertainties, not to mention geopolitical tensions. We have to come to terms with them, and we must find strategic approaches so we can nevertheless achieve success. The most important goal in the coming years will be to get back on track for growth. That’s certainly not going to happen on its own, but it isn’t unrealistic either: glass is one of the most important packaging materials of the future – it’s exceptionally sustainable, fully recyclable, and food-safe. With our unique expertise, we have the ability to develop truly pioneering glass packaging for our customers. The best examples of this are the thermally tempered lightweight glass bottles that Vetropack launched on the market just recently. We need to create even more genuine innovations like this for the market going forward – especially as the new EU packaging regulation promotes sustainable packaging solutions exactly like ours. We must capitalise on these opportunities by working jointly with our customers.

How will you be organising the initial period after you take office?

I will use the time to become better acquainted with my colleagues in the plants, in sales and the other functions, and also to meet customers and partners to gain a better understanding of their needs. As well as that, I think it’s important for me to spend time with Johann Reiter so we can ensure a smooth transition. I really like working in a team, and I know how important it is to maintain personal relationships and stay in constant dialogue with each other. I also place great value on openness and authenticity.

To conclude, could you reveal a little about Lukas Burkhardt, the private individual?

Glad to! I live in Zurich with my family. We have two children who are still young – so it follows that the family plays an important part in my life. I try to spend as much time with them as possible. I like to go skiing in winter, but in summer we tend to head south – to Ticino or Italy. I’ve lived and worked in many different countries. That has shaped my development. I think I have a healthy approach to dealing with challenges, and I come equipped with a high degree of resilience. That has already helped me in the previous stages of my career and going forward, it’s sure to benefit me at Vetropack as well.