The trend towards local, European production could mark a revival of Catalonia's 'Cosmetic Valley', according to cosmetic packaging provider Quadpack and holding company Alba & Andrea. The two companies are placing their bets on local manufacturing talent, as they announce their intent to invest further in local businesses.
Quadpack, traditionally sourcing in Korea and China, pulled production closer to home when it purchased wooden component manufacturer Technotraf, in a joint venture with Alba & Andrea last March. Six months on, the move has been so successful, that it is no surprise the partnership is looking for similar opportunities in the Spanish region that two decades ago was known as 'Cosmetic Valley' - Catalonia.
Sourcing closer to home makes sense on multiple levels, explains Quadpack CEO Tim Eaves: "Manufacturing or finishing products right here in Catalonia clearly cuts turnaround times, but our commitment goes much further than that. We also have a responsibility to the environment and, on a social level, to our community. Local production means a smaller carbon footprint, more jobs and a much-needed boost the the local economy."
For Alba & Andrea, this is not new territory. The company has had similar success in local investments, notably in the fields of furniture, playground equipment, payment terminals and public lighting.
Owner Joaquim Carandell says: "Technotraf was our first venture into the beauty packaging sector and we are buoyed by its success. Our alliance with Quadpack shows a real synergy in our outlook and the expertise we can bring to smaller companies. On our part, we offer manufacturing and business know-how, while Quadpack boasts an impressive sales & marketing operation. What we need now is the right manufacturer or service company that's ready for expansion."
Specifically, the two companies are looking for either manufacturers of beauty packaging or service companies that can process unfinished products imported from outside of Europe. Services provided might include packaging design, decoration, metallisation, finishing or assembly.
Tim Eaves says: "There exists here a pool of skilled local companies that produce first-class products, but lack the investment and infrastructure to grow outside of their limited area. This talent was widely recognised 20 years ago when I first came to Spain. The 1990s was the country's heyday, when everyone was buying cosmetic packaging from Spanish -and particularly Catalonian - manufacturers, before everything moved to China. What we aim to do now is recapture the region's glory days of the 90s. We want put Catalonia's Cosmetic Valley back on the map."
Alba & Andrea and Quadpack are considering a variety of investment types, including acquisitions (coming in as capital partners), financial, technical and/or commercial support, or joint ventures. In doing so, they intend to replicate the experience that is being carried out successfully at Technotraf
