22 July 1999: Austria“s two glass packaging manufacturers Stoelzle-Oberglas and Vetropack Austria are seeking to maintain turnover at around Sch 2 billion (Euros 145 million) in 1999, thanks to stron…
22 July 1999: Austria“s two glass packaging manufacturers Stoelzle-Oberglas and Vetropack Austria are seeking to maintain turnover at around Sch 2 billion (Euros 145 million) in 1999, thanks to strong demand from the foodstuffs industry. Rudolf Schraml, chairman of Vetropack Austria (part of the same-named Swiss group), observed that high-quality oils, dressings and sauces were supplied almost exclusively in glass bottles. By contrast, demand for scent bottles has fallen due to the impact of the Asian and Russian economic crises. Consequently, the international perfume industry has suffered a drop in sales of between 15% and 20%. Stoelzle-Oberglas supplies bottles for both Chanel and Christian Dior fragrances. In addition, mineral water producers are switching increasingly from glass to plastic bottles. Three quarters of glass packaging consumed in Austria is manufactured domestically. Vetropack Austria, which employs a workforce of 640, controls a 70% market share, whilst Stoelzle-Oberglas – with almost 500 staff – accounts for a further 5%.