Sumitomo (SHI) Demag announces joint venture to strengthen market presence
The new company called PlastiKCs, was founded by injection moulding expert Kurt Callewaert, together with Thiele & Kor Plastics Machinery, a long-standing representative of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag.
Since 1st April 2020, PlastiKCs has been actively selling Sumitomo (SHI) Demag injection moulding machines, as well as robotic systems and peripheral equipment for plastics processing companies in Belgium and Luxembourg. Sumitomo (SHI) Demag thus hopes to strengthen its market presence in these locations.
The name PlastiKCs is derived from founder Kurt Callewaert’s initials and his core competence - plastics. Having worked for many years as a sales manager and managing director in the injection moulding machine industry, Callewaert longed to establish his own venture: "Having my own company has always been my big dream. But there was one condition: I wanted to sell high-end, high quality and innovative products.”
The entrepreneur found his ideal partner in Thiele & Kor Plastics Machinery, who are based in Nieuwegein. Callewaert managed service and sales for Sumitomo (SHI) Demag’s product range from 2012, and he will aim to utilise this knowledge and expertise to strengthen PlastiKCs' market presence in both Belgium and Luxembourg.
Gerd Liebig, CEO of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery, commented: "Kurt Callewaert and I personally share a very similar understanding of market development with a focus on customer satisfaction.
"With our existing, very successful representation Thiele & Kor Plastics Machinery and the addition of Kurt Callewaert, we will be able to provide even better advice to customers in Belgium and Luxembourg by establishing and intensifying partnerships regionally and in targeted sectors. We are delighted to have strengthened the Belgium and Luxembourg team in this way.”