PROCOS: 25 Years Already!
2023/02/27
LUXE PACK New York 20th Anniversary Pioneers
We are thrilled to be showcasing a very exclusive group of exhibitors who have been part of the 20 year LUXE PACK New York lineage. We are honored to have them continue be part of the invaluable industry legacy that solidifies them as long running industry packaging players. We would like to introduce them to you individually and therefore welcome you to hone on the special editorial content developed to showcase their own industry legacy and how they plan to continue to contribute to the industry’s next 20.
Articles written by Jean-Yves Bourgeois, co-founder, LUXE PACK & Founder of Formes de Luxe Magazine.
German firm Procos’s 25th anniversary coincides with Luxe Pack New York’s 20th anniversary, this year.
This company, founded in 1998, specializing in the design, manufacture, and marketing of paper bags, cardboard boxes, and boxes, most of which are high-end, has an impeccable track record. 2023 will be a pivotal year for this company, which almost doubled its turnover between 2019 and 2022, from 26 million euros to 50 million euros! This period was all the more decisive for the company as it decided, two years ago, to reaffirm its positioning on sustainable packaging – for anyone who had not already realized this – through a clear and visible base line under the company logo: “Procos, sustainable secondary packaging for luxury brands!” Explanation by Leander Kriticos, Ceo.
Question: Where do you come from, and who are you?
Leander Kritikos: Since 1998, we have designed luxury, quality, and sustainable packaging for global brands, such as exclusive bags, fully customizable, practical and functional gift boxes and cardboard packaging for retail and e-commerce.
We started by marketing paper bags, and, following demand, we opened up our portfolio to all types of boxes. Our universe is clearly luxury, with the fashion sector being a major market (40% of our business) followed by Beauty (35%). Then, still with this high-end concept, we successfully diversified our market in 2015 by providing the e-commerce sector with real acceleration in 2021. This explains the significant increase in our turnover since that date.
It seems an evidence to us that we should be where our customer needs us. Our global footprint is one of our key assets. We produce and market luxury packaging that meets the highest standard of luxury. What is also increasingly important to us is sustainability.
We also offer elegant, refined accessories and woven products, such as bags, tote bags, and clothes bags.
Question: How important is the US market for you today?
Leander Kritikos: Procos Americas has been around for a few years now. Previously, we were present through a partner.
We have an office in Manhattan.
We work on site with dedicated teams who advise and support brands in the development of their packaging projects, from receiving the brief up to delivery of products.
We want to better support and stimulate local demand. Today, on-site visits and face-to-face meetings are easier thanks to the improved health situation. Logistics-wise, the finished products are transported more quickly and efficiently from our production unit to our customers’ warehouse.
In terms of markets, we mainly focus on cosmetics and fashion.
We are all the stronger and more present in these two markets because we offer a complete supply chain solution (including the right software, storage, and logistics to supply stores).
From an environmental point of view, CO2 consumption is, of course, lower since we produce as close as possible to demand. Finally, this US office facilitates our relations with local customers administration-wise.
Overall, although we were initially very “Asia” focused regarding our partners, we now also offer a complete “Made in Europe” packaging portfolio (42% in Europe and 58% in Asia) with production sites in Eastern and Western Europe.
Question: What is your stance on the environment?
Leander Kritikos: We were one of the first suppliers to offer FSC® materials and PCW paper on the market. We work closely with our partners to offer environmentally friendly solutions.
An example of this is our “Yoga Light” box, which is made of a special material that weighs much less than a standard chipboard box. The production of 5,000 of these boxes saves 1 ton of CO² emissions. This box is single material! There are no magnets or stickers.
We also apply this idea of single material solutions to bags. We offer paper bags with paper handles, made from recycled and fully recyclable materials. When we have a request for plastic, we always offer another more environmentally friendly solution. And the customer often ends up choosing that solution.
Question: Luxe Pack New York continues to be your regular event!
Leander Kritikos: Exhibiting at Luxe Pack offers us the opportunity to test and develop new strategies while promoting our solutions and showcasing our latest innovations. Luxe Pack trade fairs are still the place to be. The relaxed ambiance of these trade fairs allows us to showcase our professionalism mainly thanks to visitor quality.
Questions: Will you be exhibiting any other new products at the next trade fair?
Leander Kritikos: I told you about “Yoga Light”. Our latest E-com box, with its special tray to showcase “goodies”, is of note.
It definitely has a “WoW!” effect. I could also tell you about our “0% plastic” gift bag made of 100% PCW paper with Tencel® (100% organic fiber) handles.
But it is probably simpler to just come and see us!
