Generational change, recycling and growth: ALPLA 2018-2025
The seventh and final part of the "70 years of ALPLA" series: ALPLA accelerates its transformation between 2018 and 2025. The company loses founder Alwin Lehner, expands its management, invests heavily in recycling and pharmaceuticals, develops a new identity and strengthens its culture and organisation. At the same time, the global presence continues to grow and the family character is retained.
In 2021, Philipp Lehner will take over the role of CEO from his father Günther Lehner.
A farewell and a new beginning at the same time
The year 2018 begins with a dramatic event: founder Alwin Lehner passes away in June at the age of 86. With his passing, ALPLA loses a technical visionary whose inventive spirit and pragmatic approach to challenges characterised the company for decades. His thoughts and actions still form the core of ALPLA's identity today.
While the company is coming to terms with its loss, it is also looking to the future. The new EU plastics strategy places the circular economy and recyclability more firmly at the centre of political and social expectations. For ALPLA, this is both a confirmation and an incentive. The first concrete steps can be seen in sustainable product innovations, such as the bio-based and fully compostable coffee capsule, which will be presented in 2018 under the Replace initiative. At the same time, the headquarters in Hard is being expanded and modernised in order to provide a stable organisational basis for the company's international growth.
Founder Alwin Lehner passed away in June 2018 at the age of 86.
Another farewell and expansion of recycling expertise
2019 brings another moment of reflection for ALPLA: Wilma Früh, the younger sister of Alwin Lehner and a key figure in the early years of the company, passed away in September 2019. Like her brother, she shaped ALPLA through commitment, cohesion and a culture that is still considered a special feature of the company today. With her death, another link to the founding phase is lost, and at the same time it becomes clear how much the values of this generation continue to form the foundation of the global company.
At the same time, ALPLA is pushing ahead with its strategic positioning. A comprehensive brand process is sharpening the company's identity and summarising its values in the new "Family of Pioneers" claim. This communicates to the outside world what has long been practised internally: a combination of a family approach, innovative strength and a sustainable sense of responsibility.
2019 also marks an important step in the area of circular economy. For the first time, ALPLA is expanding its recycling activities beyond PET and entering the HDPE recycling market by taking over two plants in Spain. This gives the company access to more than 35 years of experience in the processing of a polymer that plays a central role in the ALPLA portfolio and is also particularly challenging to recycle. At the same time, PRT Wolfen, another PET recycling site in Germany, is being established in co-operation with the FROMM Group. These developments set the tone for the further expansion of recyclability.
In 2019, ALPLA entered the HDPE recycling market with the acquisition of two plants in Spain.
The third generation takes over
At the beginning of the 2020s, the world is upside down due to the coronavirus pandemic. Markets collapse at times, supply chains come under pressure and dealing with uncertainty characterises the economic environment. Despite these challenges, ALPLA manages to take important organisational and strategic steps.
In 2021, Philipp Lehner takes over the role of CEO from his father Günther Lehner. The handover took place in the middle of the pandemic, which made personal meetings, international travel and direct introductions to customers difficult. Nevertheless, a smooth transition is achieved, supported by a clear vision and trust in the next generation.
In parallel, ALPLA is strengthening its market position. With the acquisition of Wolf Plastics, the company is expanding its portfolio to include large-volume bucket and canister solutions. ALPLA is also gaining a presence in Africa through new investments and partnerships that lay the foundation for further growth. At the same time, the company is reaffirming its commitment to recycling by providing 50 million euros annually for this purpose from 2021.
New structures and a clear purpose
In 2022, ALPLA is strengthening its pharmaceutical division by reorganising it as the independent ALPLApharma division. The company is thus bundling its expertise in a market segment that requires the highest quality standards and offers long-term development opportunities.
At the same time, the company is expanding its regional footprint: the new ALPLA headquarters for sub-Saharan Africa is being built in Lanseria, a location that will not only act as an administrative centre, but will also send an important signal for long-term development in the region. ALPLA's first training programme in Africa is also launched there, in which young people are trained as plastics and machining technicians.
In the same year, the ALPLA Purpose is created, which from then on serves as the company's compass: "Providing solutions for safe, affordable and sustainable living worldwide." This guiding principle provides orientation for the following years and forms the foundation of the new global strategy.
The new ALPLA headquarters for sub-Saharan Africa was built in Lanseria in 2022.
Global strategy and international momentum
In 2023, ALPLA develops and presents the Global Strategy 2026, which aligns the company with sustainable, profitable growth. It aims to further develop ALPLA as a family corporation, expand its global presence and increase its attractiveness as an employer.
This is also reflected in several groundbreaking decisions. With a joint venture with Inden Pharma, ALPLA is strengthening its position in the pharmaceutical sector and expanding production capacities in Europe and international markets. At the same time, the company acquires all shares in Paboco in order to consistently drive forward the development of the recyclable paper bottle. Numerous new or expanded plants in Europe, Asia, Africa and America also underline the dynamism with which ALPLA is expanding its global infrastructure.
ALPLA strengthens its position in the pharmaceutical sector with a joint venture with Inden Pharma.
Technological milestones and innovation leadership
In 2024, ALPLA is focussing even more strongly on technology and future viability. With the introduction of the new ALPLAinject division, the company bundles its injection moulding expertise and creates a modern structure that increases efficiency and speed.
At the same time, ALPLA is named Austria's most innovative company. This recognition reflects decades of investment in research and development and demonstrates the strength of a company that can boast around 1,000 active patents and a broad pipeline of technological innovations. One example is the PET wine bottle, which is being developed together with REWE Wegenstein and is causing quite a stir on the market.
This all goes to show: Between 2018 and 2025, ALPLA will experience a phase of intensive transformation: the departure of the founding and early co-designer generation coincides with a period of strategic realignment, technological modernisation and global growth. The circular economy, innovation and cultural continuity characterise these years, as does the ambition to actively shape the future as a family of pioneers.
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