New Powder Systems Business Unit opens in Europe

Phil Black - PII Editor 28/07/2014

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Christian Rolf Jacobsen joins GEA to head up new Powder Systems Business Unit in Europe

GEA has created a new business unit, Powder Systems Europe, to service its rapidly-growing customer base in Europe for powder filling systems and powder handling components primarily for the food, dairy and pharmaceutical markets. Powder Systems Europe is managed by Christian Rolf Jacobsen who joined GEA on 16 June, 2014.

Although Rolf is new to GEA he has spent much of his working life in the food and dairy industry with ingredients supplier Christian Hansen and previously spent many years working with BASF Nutrition. This means that he knows the industry very well and already has close business relationships with many GEA customers. “I am thrilled to join GEA,” he says. “It’s a high-quality company with a strong image and an exciting growth agenda. I am very much looking forward to working with the teams in New Zealand, Asia and Europe. Our aim is to extend the coverage and servicing of large customers within the dairy and food segments.”

Powder Systems Europe brings together GEA technology companies GEA Avapac and GEA Nu-Con, both based in New Zealand. Both companies already have a large installed base in Europe and have serviced their customers effectively from New Zealand. However, a rapidly increasing demand for GEA Avapac Limited Intervention filling systems – boosted by the recent introduction of the company’s RBF 1000, 800 and 500 Li machines that can easily be shipped in 40ft containers -and the introduction of the new GEA Nu-Con Gen 3 RDS rotary valves, has required a more direct, proactive approach.

“These brands have been very successful in Europe and the new products are really making their presence felt,” says Rolf. “The new business unit brings us much closer to some of the major players in the market and will allow us to focus increasingly on sales, customer support and aftermarket service. It’s a major leap forward for us and I am very excited to be involved right from the start.”

Andrew Wade, Marketing Manager for GEA Avapac and GEA Nu-Con says that he is delighted that Rolf is heading up the team. “He has tremendous international business and management experience,” he says. “He is used to working with an international team and bringing the individual competences together. He is a great asset for us.”

GEA Avapac designs, manufactures and sells high quality powder filling systems for bulk bag and retail containers including its new Limited Intervention (lights out) systems. GEA Nu-Con supplies a wide range of powder handling components including its Generation 3, RDS rotary valves with self diagnostics.