DS Smith halves display production times to three weeks for Nestlé Germany

In the fast-moving consumer goods sector, point-of-sale displays are often the final, critical bottleneck before a product hits the retail floor. Structural complexity, high-graphics printing, and intricate die-cutting typically demand a rigid production schedule. However, DS Smith has demonstrated that these traditional timelines can be compressed, earning the company the Lighthouse Award from Nestlé Germany.

The recognition, part of Nestlé’s biennial evaluation of approximately 5,000 suppliers, highlights a specific operational achievement. DS Smith successfully manufactured and delivered complex corrugated displays in just three weeks, halving the industry-standard six-week lead time following a last-minute schedule adjustment by the food and beverage giant.

Nestlé Germany reserves the Lighthouse Award for suppliers that set benchmarks and exhibit role-model qualities, distinguishing them even among the top 20 vendors who receive standard Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers. During the ceremony, Nestlé executives referred to DS Smith as the "MacGyver of displays" for its ability to navigate severe supply chain constraints without compromising structural integrity or print quality.

Ksenia Stumpf, Strategic Buyer CoPack & Displays at Nestlé, emphasized that the 35-year partnership has evolved beyond basic procurement. She noted that DS Smith provides a high level of technical expertise and service commitment, particularly when managing numerous parallel projects under extreme deadlines. The award was formally presented to DS Smith representatives André Bernhard, Marco Hilpert, and Renate Vilceanu.

For the corrugated packaging and display sector, this achievement underscores a shifting dynamic. FMCG brands are increasingly demanding unprecedented agility from their converting partners to respond to volatile retail environments. Thorbjörn Sagerström, Managing Director Central EMEA at DS Smith, attributed the success to the solution-oriented mindset of the production and design teams.

Ultimately, cutting a six-week lead time to three weeks requires more than just running machines faster; it demands seamless integration between structural design, prepress, corrugator scheduling, and converting operations. As retail supply chains continue to face sudden disruptions, packaging suppliers capable of this level of rapid response will increasingly dictate the pace of the market.