Serving a wide audience
"Over the course of the years we have grown hugely in solid board. The takeover of the company R&F Folding Boxes in 2008 was great addition. It enabled us to extend our markets, especially in the vegetable and flower industries. The plant in Meer is specialised in supplying packaging with photographic prints and packaging with special corner constructions. We want to supply a complete package and be able to react even more quickly."
Johan indicates that he had little trouble with the fact that the fruit and vegetable sector gained important ground in the order portfolio after 2008. "We already had a lot of experience before we took over the plant in Meer. Important characteristics of the fruit and vegetable sector are: reacting quickly, being flexible and communicating directly. This mentality fits the SPS philosophy. The world trade in fruit and vegetables has grown immensely in the past years. Countries like Mexico, Brazil and Costa Rica supply straight to Europe and the products are usually packaged there too. This is why we offer our product abroad, increasingly so. In coming years we want to extend our sales markets further."
More than a box factory
"We believe it's important to offer our customer the most optimal solution and build long-standing partnerships. Often, a buyer will come to us with a problem in the area of cooling or palletising. We think more broadly than just offering a packaging at a low price. SPS isn't just a box factory, we offer complete solutions. This vision has also been worked into our company name. In the packagings we look for the most cost efficient result. A different aspect that our customers value is the optimising of the logistics chain due to our solid board boxes.
We play into the condition in which the products are transported or stored. They are often cool and damp spaces. Buyers also appreciate our fast and innovative way of working. We have our own design service. This way a design can be realised within a few hours and if the customer is satisfied, the production can start right away. We can supply a package within 8 hours."
According to the Business Unit Manager solid board is a growing market. "It is also a special market, and suitable for the five kinds of buyers we have as target groups. The difference with corrugated cardboard is that solid board has an added value when it comes into contact with moisture. In damp surroundings solid board holds its strength for much longer compared to corrugated cardboard. Another benefit of solid board is that we can also print on specific small sufaces in nice photo print. Solid board is also an ideal solution in terms of logistics. It takes up a lot less space and therefore there is more space for the product being transported. There is a lot of saved space, so the total costs of packing are lower."
International focus
In the last few years SPS has invested in various matters. "Around 2009 we invested in extra space in Meer to support logistics. In 2010 we moved a number of machines from Oudegem to Meer, so that we had more space in Oudegem to turn up the production for raw materials. 2011 and 2012 were the years of optimising the machines. In 2011 we invested in a new Offset print machine, 5 colours + varnish. As far as sales markets are concerned we are continually moving out of Europe. The European market is mostly full. In 2013 we will once again bring out new innovations such as a glossy print. The fruit and vegetable sector is continually defining itself by packaging. It's all starting to look increasingly attractive," concludes Johan.
