Quite a remarkable performance for this still family owned German company, founded in 1914 and which today has operations, in the beauty packaging segment but also in the field of automotive technical parts and, more recently, in the medical sector. These three segments share a common point: the processing of metal and plastic parts. Last October 10th, guests gathered in Bamberg, to celebrate the centenary of the company! Overview with Gerald Oehlhorn, Managing Director and Partner.
MakeUp in…: Right from its inception in 1914, the company chose the beauty segment! Gerald Oehlhorn: Absolutely, Georg Oehlhorn and Sally Kahn in 1914 founded the company “Oehlhorn & Kahn” (later known as OEKAMETALL) in Bamberg. In its early years, the company manufactured metal components for the electrical engineering industry and caps for the perfume industry. Since that time, OEKA has developed into an international operating manufacturer of plastic and metal components for cosmetic, technical and medical applications. To this day, the company has been continuously family owned and remains loyal to its ecological, economic and social values as well as to its commitment to quality and customer service. Innovative thinking, flexibility and the use of modern technologies has kept the company young even after 100 years.
MakeUp in…: Your group now operates in three distinct markets and has continued its industrial integration! Gerald Oehlhorn: A year ago, we decided to create three specialized business divisions OEKABEAUTY, OEKATECH and OEKAMED, respectively manufacturing cosmetic packaging, components for the automotive industry, and medical devices. In addition, in 2006 the subsidiary CCO GmbH was founded in Thuringia. It specializes in UV varnishing and high-vacuum metallization of parts in a refined in-line process.
MakeUp in…: Innovation is part of the genes of your company! Gerald Oehlhorn: And we prove it every year. The latest Innovations to date are a new airless packaging for lipstick that is patented by Jean-Louis Mathiez (Cinqpats) and a co-injected vial featuring a transparent window, through which the product can be seen by the user. The impact this new co-injected vial produced among our customers is indicative. This radically changes the appearance and use of this type of product. As for our new liquid lipstick dispensing concept, it really is revolutionary. It combines a new gesture with an increased protection of the formula via the airless system. Our engineers are also very innovative in terms of lipgloss applicators and mascara brushes and we regularly introduce new models on the market.
