Martens van Wezel secures 50 million additional capacity with fifth Heiber + Schröder erector

The European converting sector continues its aggressive scaling to meet the unyielding demand for sustainable fiber-based packaging. In a clear move to capture more of this market, Dutch specialist Martens van Wezel Kartonnages B.V. has officially commissioned a new Heiber + Schröder CE Pro conical tray forming machine at its plant in Helmond.

This is not a standalone investment; it is the fifth Heiber + Schröder equipment to be integrated into the converter’s highly automated production lines. By standardizing its technology park with a trusted supplier, the company is securing a vital edge in reliability—a critical factor when serving the high-volume foodservice and fresh agricultural produce (AGF) sectors.

Scaling up for the fresh produce and foodservice sectors

The numbers behind this installation paint a clear picture of its strategic intent. The new CE Pro erector is engineered for high-speed operation and will add an incremental capacity of up to 50 million packages annually. In the current 2026 market landscape, where European regulations and brand commitments are aggressively pushing out single-use plastics in favor of solid board, securing this level of volume expansion is essential for independent converters looking to maintain agile lead times.

Ricardo Molina, Head of Global Sales at Heiber + Schröder, highlighted the technical nuances often overlooked in this segment. “Conical packaging may seem straightforward from the outside, but achieving perfect execution at high volumes requires deep expertise, precision engineering, and absolute reliability,” Molina explained. The ability to churn out millions of identical, perfectly formed conical trays without machine downtime is precisely what separates top-tier converting operations from the rest.

For Martens van Wezel, the installation goes beyond pure volume. It provides the manufacturing flexibility required to absorb the severe seasonal peaks typical of the fresh produce industry. Joost Hazenveld, Managing Director of Martens van Wezel Kartonnages B.V., emphasized the long-term value of the supplier relationship: “Over the years, their machines have consistently proven themselves through outstanding reliability, build quality, and performance, making them a trusted partner in supporting our growth and ambition.”

The successful commissioning was also acknowledged by Jan Michaelis, CEO of Heiber + Schröder, who noted the smooth implementation process and projected a future where the Dutch converter will continue delivering hundreds of millions of sustainable units to the European market.

The decision to install a fifth machine from the same manufacturer demonstrates a mature capital allocation strategy, prioritizing operational uptime and operator familiarity over short-term equipment savings. Will we see more mid-sized European converters locking into single-supplier ecosystems to guarantee this level of production stability during seasonal spikes? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai