Sign and Safety materials manufacturer ORAFOL achieved good sales growth in the 2024 financial year, recording annual revenues of €883 million (AUD$1.453 billion). Along with this are acquisitions, more jobs and branches and a €60 million (AUD$98.7 million) investment in new plant and production at the Orienberg, Germany, site.
Orafol's sprawling Orienberg, Germany, manufacturing site and HQ
The company strengthened its global presence through several strategic initiatives, including the acquisition of M.A.M, the Belgian specialty film manufacturer Group Michiels Advanced Materials, the establishment of Orafol Namibia and the further expansion of Orafol South Africa. Currently, Orafol operates with 17 subsidiaries across 30 locations worldwide. The company has additional expansion projects planned for the current financial year. At its headquarters in Oranienburg, Orafol is investing €60 million (AUD$98.7 mill) in the ongoing investment cycle, which runs through 2027. 
Dr. Holger Loclair, CEO of Orafol
In an interview with the German business newspaper, Tagesspiegel, Dr. Holger Loclair, Chairman & CEO Orafol Group, gave an overview of Orafol's key priorities for 2025, which includes a clear vision for the company over the next 2 years.
Dr. Loclair commented: "Our company is in a strong position.We are investing, we are hiring, and growing accordingly. Despite economic trends, 2024 was a record year for Orafol. From 2025 to 2027, we will continue to enhance the efficiency of our production and invest 60 million euros in the Oranienburg HQ site.“
It's a remarkable success story since Orafol emerged from years of communist control in East Germany, to become one of the world's foremost manufacturers of filmic materials used in signage, road & vehicle markings (reflective), POS, Displays and now Solar control materials.The company also makes mounting tapes used in Flexographic printing.
In Australia, Orafol's growth was boosted when, in 2017, it acquired its distributors, ArtMart, (Victoria), Major Tom (SA) and Sign Maker Supplies (WA), followed by buying AGS for completing the Australia-wide branch newtwork. In late 2024, Orafol announced the opening its own New Zealand operation, to commence in 2025.
Alex McClelland
Orafol Australia's Managing Director Alex McClelland (pictured left) was promoted to VP Asia-Pacific last year. He is also a board member of Visual Connections, organisers of PacPrint 2025 in Sydney.
On the latest results he comments:
“The global results reflect the success, and market gains we are experiencing here in Australia, as well as the anticipated growth of our new operation in Auckland, New Zealand. With a strong focus on the APAC region as our next area of expansion, our teams in Europe and Australia are well-positioned to maximize the opportunities ahead.”
