Our History
Discover our rich heritage of over a century and a half of combined expertise across our three dedicated packaging production sites. We’ve pioneered many innovations over the decades, and we look forward to sharing this exciting story with you.
BBC CELLPACK Packaging, the packaging innovation history of a flexible packaging industry
We are proud to be part of the prestigious Swiss group “BBC – Behr Bircher Cellpack“, a company founded by Giorgio Behr in 1991. The Group was enriched in 2001 by the acquisition and merger of the Bircher and Cellpack companies. Under the ongoing leadership of the Behr family, the BBC Group continues to grow and prosper.
As for our packaging division, our three production sites each had a unique flexible packaging history before they were brought together. This diversity of experience and individual expertise is our competitive advantage in the flexible packaging market in Europe and internationally.
The history of our packaging plant in Illfurth, France
Let’s go into the captivating history of our Illfurth site in France, a saga spanning more than a century of innovation and progress:
- 1924: Birth of the Compagnie Franco-Suisse de Façonnage de Papier, better known as CFS, with the company being established in Mulhouse the following year. Our speciality? The manufacture of gift wrap, corrugated cardboard and cushion pads.
- 1940: The company moves to its current location in Illfurth.
- 1953: A decisive turning point with a major innovation: CFS becomes the first company in France to produce cigarette paper.
- 1961: Integration into the Baumgartner group, a key stage in our development.
- 1971: Launch of cylinder engraving and flexographic platemaking, marking a new technological advance for the company.
- 1992: Another landmark innovation with the launch of revolutionary micro-perforated packaging for fresh salads, followed by the export of our products to the USA.
- 2008: A strategic merger with the Swiss BBC group, Behr Bircher Cellpack, and integration with the Lauterecken-based company.
- 2019: Always striving for innovation, we launched CELLPouch, a recyclable mono-material pouch, and integrated ultrasonic technology for even more sustainable packaging solutions.
- 2021: A major reorganisation of our production sites, with a stronger focus on paper packaging and pouches. Other film-based packaging products have been transferred to Lauterecken, while cushion pads have found their place in Langgöns.
To sum up, our Illfurth site was celebrating 100 years of history in 2024.
From our humble beginnings as a printer of gift wrap, we have become pioneers and specialists in the manufacture of food and cosmetic packaging.
Today, 110 talented men and women work in our 21,000 m² buildings, shaping the future of eco-responsible flexible packaging.
The history of our Lauterecken packaging site in Germany
Let’s go into the fascinating history of our German site in Lauterecken, a journey through almost two centuries of innovation and commitment:
- 1847: The foundations are laid with the establishment of the bookshop and bindery in Lauterecken, Hauptstraße 20.
- 1873: A new chapter begins with the start of book printing, marking our transition to print.
- 1952: A turning point with the founding of Adolf Lony KG and our first steps into film printing, using flexography on cellophane.
- 1967: Significant expansion with the construction of a new building on the “green meadow” in Lauterecken, Saarbrücker Straße 1 c.
- 1992: A strategic acquisition with the purchase of a factory in Schwerin, enabling extrusion and flexography.
- 2003: A new era begins with the creation of Cellpack Packaging GmbH, the successor to the former Adolf Lony KG.
- 2003: The end of an era and the start of a new adventure with the acquisition of the new entity by the BBC Behr Bircher Cellpack Group.
- 2008: The decisive merger with the Illfurth company, integrating our site into the Swiss BBC group, Behr Bircher Cellpack.
- 2013: A new identity with a change of name to Cellpack Lauterecken GmbH, marking our ongoing evolution.
- 2021: A strategic reorganisation of our production sites, with an increased focus on film packaging and flexography.
- 2023: The acquisition of a second flexographic printing machine.
In summary, our Lauterecken site in Germany celebrates 178 years of history in 2025. From our humble beginnings as a bookbinder and printer, we have evolved to become specialists in printing film packaging for the food and cosmetics industries.
Today, 100 dedicated men and women work in our 8,100 m² premises, developing environmentally-friendly flexible packaging for a brighter future.
The history of our Langgöns packaging site in Germany
Let’s go into the history of our German site at Langgöns, a story that spans several decades:
- 1987: An important page is turned with the creation of ABS Packmittel GmbH in Langgöns, dedicated to the production of paper cushion pads, marking our start in this field.
- 1987: A decisive acquisition in our business, with the installation of a production line for bearings.
- 1991: A second opportunity, the installation of a second production line for bearings to increase our production.
- 1996: Expansion of the company with the purchase of a flexographic printing machine, enabling us to diversify our business and become the leading producer of cushion pads packaging in Europe.
- 2020: A new era begins with our integration into BBC CELLPACK Packaging, alongside the Illfurth and Lauterecken sites, consolidating our position in the sector.
In conclusion, our Langgöns site in Germany celebrates 73 years of history in 2025. From a small cushion pads producer to a leading company in this sector, we have evolved to become specialists in paper cushion pads for various food and non-food markets. Today, 40 dedicated men and women work in our buildings, creating quality flexible packaging to meet the needs of our customers and consumers.
Location
Our three production sites are spread across Europe, one in France and two in Germany. The BBC Group is headquartered in Switzerland. Find out more about the location and addresses of our companies.
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