INTERVIEW WITH EASY ENGINEERING
VIEL PLASTIQUES INTERNATIONAL was honored to be interviewed by the German magazine Easy Engineering about its activities and innovations.
Based in Oyonnax in the Ain region, also known as “Plastics Vallée”, VIEL PLASTIQUES INTERNATIONAL is family family-owned plastics processing company. Created in the early 50s by Simone VIEL, a woman and pioneer as a woman entrepreneur, innovation and know-how are the heart of their activity.
On the lookout for new technologies, Daniel VIEL -Simone VIEL’s son- invested early on in innovative machinery during the boom in the plastics industry.
VIEL continued this approach with his father Henri, focusing on large tonnage machines to target the most specific markets of the time. Convinced of the possibilities offered by exporting, Daniel VIEL developed commercial relations worldwide, a major player in subcontracting. It supports companies in the technical development of their industrial projects in various fields such as accessibility, cosmetics, or the automobile industry. The company has developed its own products and specializes in packaging. Innovative, it has filed numerous patents in this field.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
VIEL PLASTIQUES INTERNATIONAL: Over the past 70 years, VIEL PLASTIQUES INTERNATIONAL has accumulated unrivalled know-how in terms of plastic innovations and plastics processing, particularly in bi or tri-material. We have been committed to becoming a landmark as an expert in plastics processing and injection moulding.
Today we aim to become a leader in the sector and to promote as well as showcase the quality of “Made in France”.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
VP: Innovation is an integral part of our company’s DNA.
VIEL PLASTIQUES INTERNATIONAL has always had to innovate in order to remain competitive and find new markets. Our will is to bring new systems for better practicality of use of the packaging, we market today a new innovative system which is called « Open Tip® ».
The Open Tip® is our easy opening/closing system for bags, a field in which our company has specialized for over 10 years. This patented system is equipped with a pouring spout and can be adapted to any facing, back, or bag gusset. Ideal for small and medium capacity bags the Open Tip® is THE solution you need with many possible applications (Food, Petfood, Gardening).
VIEL PLASTIQUES INTERNATIONAL also manufactures and markets the «Tear&Tip® », a sliding opening system adapted to large capacity bags (7.5 kg to 15 kg).
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
VP: VIEL PLASTIQUES INTERNATIONAL offers production and services as part of its activities. We put our decades of experience in plastics processing at other companies’ disposal by assisting them in various sectors to bring their production projects to a successful conclusion in France and abroad. So that their idea becomes a concrete project plan.
Our company is equipped with high-performance machines, in particular injection moulding machines, bi-material and two-colour, injection moulding machines, and electric injection moulding engines.
Our equipment with different tonnages, overall, allows us to offer a wide range of production. We have produced equipment, containers and packaging in the following sectors:
- Accessibility (tactile floorings, etc.),
- Cosmetics (cream and solution containers, etc.),
- Health and medical,
- Automotive
- Toys dedicated to early childhood.
These sectors require compliance with strict and rigorous quality rules.
As a matter of fact, VIEL PLASTIQUES INTERNATIONAL’s renowned know-how enabled us to embark on a wonderful adventure with MATTEL for the production of its Barbie® toys for the French market and for export (EMEA).
Later, the innovative spirit of Daniel Viel also led to the creation of the iconic Winter Garden, which allowed real plants to grow!
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
VP: The plastics market is vast and encompasses many sectors. As a result, it is constantly evolving for a variety of reasons and factors:
- Resources,
- Demand,
- Innovation,
- International regulations.
This makes the market an interesting and challenging place to develop and innovate further!
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
VP: The Covid period was a difficult one for many companies around the world, with production lines coming to a complete halt or others struggling to remain profitable due to falling demand. Since then, however, the market has picked up again, with new ideas and a diversity of supply and demand. A remarkable return to European production recognized for its know-how. Coming from an unexpectedly strong interest in quality products and production, rather than cost-cutting production.
Technology and the market continue to grow. We see a wide range of demands and innovative ideas, both in terms of products and applications. We are, for example, in the midst of an energy transition in line with the market’s ecological trend.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
VP: As presented earlier, VIEL PLASTIQUES INTERNATIONAL is keen to innovate and present new products that will facilitate both the company and the end-user in equal measure. Systems and products that will change and modernize the use of end products, and therefore attract more users.
In this case we have our 2 innovative systems, with very positive feedback:
- OpenTip
A pouring spout system for bags from 2 to 10kg in pet food, grocery, DIY and gardening.
- Tear&Tip
A sliding opening-closing system for bags of various sizes, like the OpenTip for the same products.
We’re keen to ensure that these innovations remain discreet, but completely change the way bags are used by end-users, as well as respecting ecological expectations – so they can be recycled with the right bags.
E.E: What estimations do you have for the rest of 2023?
VP: The end of 2023 and especially 2024 look promising for VIEL PLASTIQUES INTERNATIONAL. Our know-how and production quality are recognized in France and abroad. We hope to further develop production.
As for innovations, over the past few years, we’ve had very positive feedback and growing interest in our systems in the various markets we’ve presented, especially the Pet Food sector.
We look forward to seeing what the future will bring.
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