Stage 13: Engineering, sustainability and people in Jaraguá do Sul
Michael Poepke | 18. March 2026
After several days on the road across Santa Catarina, the igus:bike worldtour arrived in Jaraguá do Sul, a city widely known for its strong industrial culture and engineering mindset.
In many ways, Jaraguá reflects the very essence of southern Brazilian industry — a place where manufacturing, technology and engineering evolve side by side.
But before heading to the next customer visit, the morning started at a slower pace.
A morning at Parque Malwee
The team began the day at Parque Malwee, one of the most iconic green spaces in the region.
Surrounded by lakes, wooden bridges and walking paths, the park offered a brief moment to slow down before another day dedicated to industry and innovation.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the tour is exactly this contrast — within the same day we move between nature, cities and factory floors, observing how technology and environment coexist across different parts of Brazil.
With the igus:bike ready to roll again, the next destination was only a few kilometers away.
Visiting Indumak
The destination was Indumak, a Brazilian company with more than 60 years of history, recognized for its expertise in developing vertical packaging machines and end-of-line solutions.
Operating at the final stage of production, the company develops technologies that prepare finished products for transportation and distribution through packaging, bundling, case packing, bagging and palletizing solutions.
In other words, this is where production meets logistics.
Inside the factory, the conversation quickly turned to a topic that has appeared many times throughout the igus:bike journey:
How can engineering make production both more efficient and more sustainable?
For Indumak, innovation is closely connected to predictability and efficiency on the production line.
The goal sounds simple — but requires advanced engineering to become reality:
Produce better, with minimal waste and maximum predictability.
In the packaging sector, even small improvements can generate major impact. Machines operate at high speeds, producing thousands of packages per hour, which means that seemingly small gains in stability quickly translate into significant productivity improvements.
One concept often highlighted by the team is the challenge of producing more in less space, developing compact and efficient machines capable of increasing production capacity without adding complexity to the line.
Reliability in packaging engineering
During the visit, the importance of reliability in packaging processes was also discussed.
In a vertical packaging machine, the same sealing system simultaneously closes the top of one package while forming the bottom of the next.
If this process is not perfectly synchronized — or if components do not provide sufficient durability — the seal may fail, causing the package to open later, sometimes even at the point of sale.
That is why engineering precision, durable components and predictable motion are essential to ensure product quality while reducing waste throughout the production process.
A more connected packaging industry
Another important topic of the conversation was the growing presence of Industry 4.0 technologies in packaging equipment.
Modern machines are now capable of collecting operational data throughout production, allowing companies to monitor performance, identify inefficiencies and drive continuous improvement.
With greater visibility over the production process, packaging lines can become more predictable, reliable and efficient.
Sustainability within the packaging process
Sustainability was also a central topic during the discussion with the Indumak team.
The packaging industry is currently undergoing an important transformation in the materials used for packaging films.
One growing trend is the use of monomaterial films, which simplify recycling processes and help reduce the environmental footprint of packaging.
At the same time, materials such as PCR plastics — Post-Consumer Recycled — are increasingly being used in secondary packaging processes such as bundling and grouping products.
These changes require continuous adaptation in machine design, ensuring that equipment can process new materials while maintaining speed, quality and process stability.
A visit that also connected people
Beyond the technical discussions, one of the most special moments of the visit was the interaction with the Indumak team itself.
To celebrate the arrival of the igus:bike, the company organized a special activation for its employees.
The morning began with a breakfast gathering, bringing together people from different departments to talk about engineering, sustainability and the purpose behind the tour.
A small in-house exhibition was also set up, where igus solutions were presented inside the company.
But perhaps the most enjoyable moment came during the workplace exercise session. In a creative twist, some of the movements were inspired by cycling — simulating the motion of pedaling and bringing the spirit of the igus:bike tour directly into the team’s daily routine.
Moments like these reinforce one of the main ideas behind this journey:
Technology moves industry forward…
but it is people who truly drive innovation.
Our riders:
Jenifer Quintino
My name is Jenifer Quintino and I have been working in the Marketing department at igus for 1 year and 11 months, supporting communication initiatives and the execution of internal and external company projects, with a focus on organization and activity follow-up.
I participated in organizing the materials for the igus:bike and I am motivated to take part in this tour across Brazil, making the most of every learning opportunity throughout this journey.
Lucas Ostti da Silva – Product specialist Drylin
My name is Lucas Ostti da Silva, and I have been with igus since 2013. I started in inside sales for the DryTech division, later moved into a role as a technical consultant covering the interior region of the state of São Paulo, and afterwards became a specialist in Drylin and Dryspin solutions. Since 2019, I have been working as a Packaging Specialist.
Today, the packaging segment includes companies connected to food, beverage, pharmaceutical and packaging industries, ranging from machine manufacturers to end customers. My role involves visiting different regions across Brazil, supporting the development of applications using igus solutions.
I follow projects throughout the entire process — from initial prospecting and service life calculations to testing phases and final approval.
Another important part of my role is bringing new solutions and developments from igus Germany to the Brazilian market, sharing these innovations with our consultants and customers through joint visits and technical trainings.
After so many years sharing self-lubricating and sustainable motion solutions, I continue to feel highly motivated by the opportunity to provide innovative technologies that help improve the performance and reliability of our customers’ equipment.
Eduardo Davila – Key Account Manager – Santa Catarina
My name is Eduardo Davila and I have been working at igus since 2017. Currently, I am responsible for supporting customers in the state of Santa Catarina within the ECS product line.
I started my journey at igus covering the state of Paraná and soon after transitioned to the state of Santa Catarina.
My role is to provide full support and assistance to our existing customers while also developing new markets and opportunities. After 9 years at igus, I feel increasingly confident in our product portfolio, always bringing innovation and reliability to our customers through our solutions.
I am very excited to be part of the igus:bike Tour — first because of the sustainability message we are sharing with our customers, and also because, as a cyclist in my free time, it’s a great opportunity to enjoy riding the igus:bike as well.
Gabriel Volpato – Marketing analyst
My name is Gabriel, and I have been part of the igus Brazil marketing team since 2020, when I joined the company as an apprentice. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to grow alongside the company and evolve within the marketing area.
Today, I work with graphic design, video editing, and digital marketing initiatives, helping transform ideas into visual experiences that communicate the igus purpose. I enjoy being hands-on, learning new skills, and taking on challenges with enthusiasm, whether behind a camera, at the computer, or on the road.
Accompanying the igus Bike Tour throughout its entire journey is a unique opportunity for me to tell real stories, capture meaningful moments, and showcase how our brand connects with people, places, and innovation.
I am truly excited to be part of this experience and to help ensure that every stage of the tour becomes a memorable chapter in our story.
Map of this stage:
