Customer Case Study | Frank de Graaff
Director at Van der Sterre
“Omori Europe is a highly reliable partner. They do not just supply machines, they support the complete packaging concept, from technology to materials. That makes the difference.”
About Van der Sterre
Van der Sterre is a leading Dutch family-owned company, established in 2009 through the collaboration of three families. With more than 500 employees and exports to over 80 countries, the company has grown into an international player in cheese processing, packaging, and distribution.
Packaging plays a central role in this growth. In close cooperation with Omori Europe B.V., Van der Sterre has developed into a modern, retail-focused packaging organization where technology and product presentation go hand in hand.
The challenge
The cheese market has changed significantly over the past decades. Traditional sales channels declined, while retail experienced strong growth.
For Van der Sterre, this required a fundamental shift moving from traditional trade to a packaging-driven retail organization. This transition required not only investment in technology, but also a different way of thinking.
As explained during the interview, “moving into retail meant investing in packaging, automation, and completely new processes.”
At the same time, the company recognized a key reality in the market:
“As a packaging company, you cannot compete on the product alone, differentiation comes from packaging.”
This made the role of a reliable and innovative packaging partner essential. Omori Europe B.V. became a key contributor in enabling this transformation.
The solution
To support this transition, Van der Sterre partnered with Omori Europe B.V. to implement advanced packaging technology and develop new packaging concepts.
The decision to work with Omori was not based on specifications alone, but on long-term trust and cooperation. As described in the interview, “it comes down to trust, reliability, and the people if the connection is right, you move forward together.”
Omori’s role extended far beyond supplying machines. The collaboration focused on:
- Reliable and high-performance packaging systems
- Continuous technical support and involvement
- Co-development of packaging solutions
- Practical, production-driven expertise
As emphasized by Van der Sterre:
“It’s not just about the machine. It’s about the people around it, that’s where the real value is.”
Results
✔ Fast and reliable implementation
The strength of the Omori solution became immediately clear during installation.
Where new packaging lines often require weeks of fine-tuning, the Omori system was operational within a very short timeframe. As noted during the interview, “within a day it was running, and the next day it was already at full speed.”
This reflects both the reliability of the machines and the effectiveness of the joint preparation and support.
✔ Sustainable packaging performance
Sustainability is a key driver in modern retail packaging. With the support of Omori Europe B.V., Van der Sterre implemented packaging formats that significantly reduce material usage.
The solution enables:
- Reduced packaging material
- Elimination of trays
- More compact and efficient packaging
According to Van der Sterre, “this is one of the most efficient and sustainable packaging formats we have.”
The flexibility of Omori machines allows continuous optimization towards more sustainable solutions.
✔ Ease of use on the production floor
Despite the advanced technology, the Omori machines are experienced as highly user-friendly in daily operation.
Operators quickly adopted the system, and the machine is now considered one of the most accessible within the production environment. As stated during the interview:
“This is one of the most simple machines we have, it just runs.”
This ease of use translates directly into stable performance and efficient production.
✔ Consistent packaging quality
Product quality and presentation are critical in retail. The packaging produced on Omori machines delivers consistent results in both performance and appearance.
Van der Sterre highlights that “the packaging opens perfectly and does not tear,” which is essential for consumer experience.
This ensures:
- Reliable sealing
- High product protection
- Strong visual presentation on shelf
The power of partnership
The cooperation with Omori Europe B.V. is built on long-term trust and mutual commitment.
As stated during the interview:
“Trust is everything. When something is really needed, you know they will be there.”
This partnership is characterized by:
- Direct and transparent communication
- Strong technical expertise
- Flexibility in solving real production challenges
- Shared responsibility for results
Even in a competitive market, Van der Sterre emphasizes that continuity and reliability outweigh short-term cost advantages.
Looking ahead
Van der Sterre continues to invest in packaging innovation together with Omori Europe B.V..
Future focus remains on:
- Developing new sustainable packaging concepts
- Increasing efficiency and automation
- Strengthening differentiation in retail
As clearly stated:
“You must keep developing, especially in packaging.”
