Krones to reorganise its Compact Class business

• Development work on a new labeller for the low and medium output range marks the first step towards the new business structure
• Leveraging synergies in products, production, sales and development
• Strengthening competitiveness for the long term

In light of the current transformation in the beverage and liquid-food industry as well as rising demands for sustainable, competitive and efficient products, Krones is restructuring its profitable and growing Compact Class line of business, which delivers machines and lines for the small and medium output range. It is here that Krones brings together smaller-scale filling and packaging solutions for beverages, including wine and spirits in particular, foods and dairy products as well as for home and personal-care products and pharmaceuticals. 

The Compact Class line of business is currently made up of four different subsidiaries: KOSME Italy, KOSME Austria and KOSME FBA (responsible for Belgium and France), which have been fully integrated within the Krones Group since 2009, as well as the labelling-machinery specialist Gernep, which was acquired in 2015. In future, these units are to be combined into one.

The first step in that direction was a 12-month joint development project that culminated in a new generation of labelling machines (Flectra), which uniquely integrates the expertise of Kosme and Gernep for a compact and flexible machine with an intuitive user interface. Flectra will be on display and available for sale for the first time at this year’s drinktec trade fair in Munich.

The reorganisation of Kosme and Gernep will give customers global access to a broad spectrum of specialist knowledge, expertise, engineering know-how and services. Modularised machine design will ensure high quality at cost-effective prices.

“The future of machinery manufacture for the low and medium output range will largely be about more compact design, a high level of flexibility for handling a variety of containers, and less complexity. Hardware remains an important factor, but now more than ever, the software makes all the difference. With our visionary technologies for the Compact Class and our success-driven global team, we will be among the winners of this transformation,” says Krones CEO Christoph Klenk, adding: “Important pillars of our strategy will be crucial here: continuously strengthening our operational effectiveness, pursuing a portfolio strategy that is both differentiated and focused on value creation, and consistently meeting customer needs.”

By restructuring Kosme and Gernep within the Compact Class line of business, Krones will also be able to leverage greater synergies in production, sales and development and increase its competitiveness in the low and medium output range on a lasting basis. Shared resources, an expanded product portfolio, combined innovative strength, and broad industry coverage will in turn enable Krones to address the market more efficiently, shorten development cycles and improve cost structures. As a result, the new organisation can respond more flexibly to customer needs, position itself as a unified force against the competition and tap into new markets and industries in a targeted manner – both nationally and internationally. All jobs affected by the reorganisation will be retained, and a new brand identity will also be developed in 2026 as part of the restructuring project.

About Krones

The technology company Krones headquartered in Neutraubling, Germany, is a global leader in developing and manufacturing state-of-the-art machines and complete lines for the fields of process, filling and packaging technology. Its portfolio is perfectly complemented by additional products and services provided by the Krones subsidiaries, such as solutions for anything to do with digital transformation, intralogistics and plastics recycling. Krones employs more than 20,000 people worldwide. Consolidated sales in 2024 totalled 5.3 billion euros. The Krones Group includes not only Krones AG (listed on the stock exchange), but also more than 100 subsidiaries and further production, sales and service companies worldwide.