Kafeko brings packaging & automation expertise to the Baltics
Kafeko is a partner for sustainable packaging machines and automation solutions, specializing in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. We are a partner committed to providing innovative solutions, exceptional service, and the support you need to stay competitive in a rapidly changing market. With over 40 years of experience in the Nordics, we’re now coming back to the Baltics.
Kafeko’s story began in 1981 in Finland. Here we quickly became a trusted partner for business seeking innovative future-ready packaging solutions, but also sustainable business. In 2002, when Johan Hintze took over Kafeko, the vision was clear: to bring Kafeko’s expertise to all of the Nordic countries. Now, we have in total 14 people across the different countries, working in customer contact and support, back office, and local service technicians. Since we are spread out over the Nordic and Baltic countries, we don’t get that daily in-person contact, but we often meet online and a few times a year with the whole team face to face. Despite the distance, we are a tight-knit family.
Jumping back to the mid-1990s, we entered the Baltics for the first time, drawn by the region’s potential and the growing demand for advanced packaging technology. We took on the responsibility of managing sales for Probat and Syntegon (former Bosch packaging technology) across Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. This partnership strenghtened our presence in the region and also laid the foundation for lasting relationships with local businesses. However, in 1999, a change in strategy led to a new direction. The local management team took over the Baltic operation, but now we are returning.
Why the Baltics now?
When Syntegon, one of our long-standing partners, asked us to re-establish a sales presence in the Baltics, we recognized the potential and also wanted to support them. Automation and efficiency have become priorities for Baltic businesses, an our expertise aligns perfectly with their needs. At the same time, Nordic customers expanding into the region were reaching out, looking for trusted partners to support their growth.
To rebuild our presence in the Baltics we started by establishing Kafeko Nordic SIA in Latvia, creating a dedicated base for operations. To lead our efforts, we brought on Edgars Balodis, an experienced professional with deep knowledge of the region and packaging industry. The Baltic market is now in capable hands, with Edgars leading the way in close collaboration with René Jelen, Johan Hintze, and the wider Kafeko team. Backed by our skilled service technicians, this unified approach ensures that businesses across Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania receive the local support, expertise, and responsiveness they need to thrive.