After spending in France 6.2 million euros in 2003 in a brand new production facility intended to host the colour cosmetic activity, the company has just commissioned its first machine called "back injection", which enables the manufacturing of compacts and/or eye shadows in automatic or by injecting directly up to four different shades and/or textures through the base of the pans.
Since October 15th the company Thépenier Pharma Industrie, a subsidiary of the Japanese Group Nippon Shikizai, is able to produce compact and/or eye shadow under this new technique called "Back injection". "Main assets, explains Sylvie Coudray, Sales manager of Thépenier Pharma Industrie, an extensive experience in the conditioning of colour cosmetics, in packaging, the possibility to inject several colours and/or textures simultaneously, the design of extremely varied patterns since it is possible to inject in a hollow imprint, and ultimately, achieve very high quality products, especially products with glitters." Not forgetting, of course, a substantial improvement in productivity.
Technology transfers with Japan
After acquiring the French company in 2000, the Japanese group is demonstrating its determination to conquer the European industry of colour cosmetics.
Colour cosmetics, a segment, that its leaders know well. Founded in 1957 Nippon Shikizai employs more than 230 people and achieves about half of its turnover in this segment. Fifty people work daily in the R&D department.
Since the acquisition of Thépenier Pharma Industrie, there has been a great deal of technology transfers between the two companies, especially in the field of the production of compact and fluid foundations, of mascara and lip gloss.
The new production unit dedicated to this activity which was built in 2003 in Saint-Langis-Lès-Mortagne, in Normandy, will have cost the hefty sum of 6.2 million euros and investments have not stopped with the acquisition of this new so-called "Back Injection" machine.
"To note that in a different domain, explains Coudray, we have also acquired a real expertise in the production of BB creams (BB for blemish balm. A cream that nourishes, soothes, conceals red spots and protects against sun burns. The BB cream has several functions. It hydrates, unifies, refines skin texture and conceals imperfections)".
