As part of its international growth strategy, Saica Group welcomed five students from the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University, ranked among the top business schools in the United States.
As Saica continues its expansion outside Europe—particularly in the United States, where the group operates its first plant in Ohio—this initiative serves a dual ambition for the corrugated packaging specialist: to boost its brand awareness across the Atlantic and enhance its appeal to future American talent. It also aims to highlight its industrial expertise and position as a leader in sustainable packaging among students and future industry professionals.
Beyond the visibility aspect, this approach enables Saica to benefit from a dedicated analytical team composed of students recognized for their academic excellence and trained in data-driven American methodologies. It also serves as an employer branding lever among Ohio State University's 48,000 students, offering privileged access to the American Midwest's talent pool.
An immersive program to strengthen ties between academia and industry.
The ten-week program engaged five undergraduate students from the Fisher College of Business.
Following an initial seven-week remote phase that began on March 25, the students traveled to France for a three-week immersion at Saica Pack France's headquarters in Pessac, starting May 11. During this time, they worked alongside Saica Pack France’s marketing and sales teams while getting first-hand experience with the company's industrial operations, including a tour of the Saica Pack plant in Beaulac.
Thanks to their fresh perspective, the students helped identify new growth opportunities for corrugated packaging solutions in one of the company's key sectors through:
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an in-depth analysis of the market and its value chain;
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the study of regulatory developments and sustainability challenges;
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competitive intelligence and an analysis of consumer expectations;"
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A final proposal presenting their findings as well as their strategic recommendations to gain market share in this key sector.
This fresh perspective fueled Saica’s strategic thinking in one of its key markets, while offering the students a concrete immersion within an international industrial group.
“This initiative perfectly illustrates our desire to strengthen ties between academia and industry. By welcoming these American students to Pessac, we are giving them a hands-on opportunity to discover the challenges of sustainable packaging while showcasing Saica’s expertise beyond Europe. Through this approach, we also aim to boost our visibility in the United States and attract the talent that will support our growth in this strategic market,” said Ignacio Lillo, Commercial and Marketing Director at Saica Pack France.