The sales team at Custom Bulk Bags is a major driving force of our success. These dedicated individuals are highly motivated and driven by the unique nature of the flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC) industry. We posed a series of questions to the sales team in order to gain some insight into their world; why they do what they do, how they make an impact and where they see the company going in the future.
Custom Bulk Bags is a leading manufacturer and supplier of FIBCs in South Africa and the region. We can produce up to 3.5-million bulk bags per year, which includes weaving and extrusion of polypropylene. Our products range in size and capacity from half a cubic metre and 500kg up to two cubic metres and two tonnes bags. These FIBCs have a minimum 5:1 safety factor.
What drives you and the sales team?
“I am new to the bulk bag industry and have already caught the bug of a fast-moving industry that has different challenges every day. Custom Bulk Bags produces the best quality bulk bags in the industry and so we, as salespeople, need to make sure our customers get the best possible service they deserve,” says Paul van Vuuren.
Meeting customer requirements is a vital component of sales. “Custom Bulk Bags has the ability to tailor-make bulk bags to suit a client’s requirements, given their wide range of body cloth portfolios. Also, our capacity to keep stock enables us to supply the customer at short lead times,” states Wilbrod Kugarakuripi.
The ability to customise products for clients is a massive drawcard, as highlighted by Sunitha Singh. “CBB prides itself on manufacturing tailor-made products, ensuring that the customer’s specific needs are met,” she says.
“Our integrity and commitment to customer satisfaction leads us to always going the extra mile to meet our customers’ smallest requests, ensuring that they receive what they were expecting – a bag suitably designed for them and delivered in the required time frame,” explains Lennord Beets.
The customer service sentiment is shared by James Stowe; “Great customer service can be taught, however, Custom Bulk Bags believe that service is not only for the sales team but for each and every individual working for the company. We believe in teamwork by supporting each other to achieve our primary goal to supply our clients on time with the best product.”
Where do you see Custom Bulk Bags products making the biggest impact?
Continuous growth and development is a key component of measuring impact. “Custom Bulk Bags always adapts our products to suit our customer’s needs. The sugar, fertilizer and mining industry are a major part of our business but we are continuously looking at other markets to expand into,” reveals Paul.
Impact can also be measured by the ability to design products that meet various needs. “A bulk bag is a technically-designed packaging product, therefore Custom Bulk Bags has mastered the best designs which cater for the convenience and safety of use, and other hazards the package encounters, to the customer’s satisfaction,” says Wilbrod.
The well-rounded nature of our customer base and the various industries in which we interact makes it difficult to pinpoint where our biggest impact lies, as highlighted by two salespeople. “We impact all sectors – our products are well-received in this market and cannot say that there is a particular sector in which we will make a better impact,” explains Lennord.
Similarly, James states; “There is so much business out there, it’s very difficult to say where our best impact could be. As one of the biggest bulk bag manufacturers in South Africa, with a dynamic sales team, we have no boundaries we can’t cross.”
What is the best solution to a client’s problem?
Forming a solid relationship with clients is the first step to solving their problems. “I can already see that building a solid relationship with our customers is of the utmost importance. Once this foundation is laid, we can then help our customers in any area they might have problems,” says Paul.
In a similar sentiment, Lennord explains that working face-to-face with the customer is one of the best ways to find an effective solution and to meet their needs. “Working with the customer on-site and doing continuous bag trials until optimum success is achieved is the best way to develop solutions,” he reveals.
This customer engagement approach is highly beneficial, according to Sunitha. “Engaging with the client during the packing process affords us an opportunity to provide enhanced handling techniques.” However, finding the right solution and fit also depends on the issues faced by the customer.
Often, the problem defines the solution. “Depending on the problem experienced by the client, the solution will vary. My experience in the bagging industry has allowed me to learn from each and every problem my clients have come across. The best solution was for a client that needed to maximize their loading capacity on transport to save costs,” states James.
Lastly, bag design is important as it directly determines the effectiveness of the solution. “A carefully designed bulk bag that meets the customer’s needs will always be the best solution to their problem area, and I fancy solving the customer’s problems,” explains Wilbrod. For more information about our bulk bags, please contact us today.
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Custom Bulk Bags is a leading South African manufacturer of woven polypropylene bags for various industries, such as mining, chemicals and food. We are able to produce over 3.5-million bulk bags per year, keeping our customers in-stock at all times. Our bags adhere to the highest levels of quality as a result of our stringent in-house testing and quality control programmes.
Custom Bulk Bags holds ISO 9001 certification and we currently have a number of UN-certified designs. We are a Level 3 B-BBEE manufacturer and supplier and fall under the ownership structure of Deneb Investments Limited. For more information on our products, contact sales@custombulkbags.co.za. Follow us on Facebook for our latest news and industry insights.
