Say What? A quick word with Edward Bone

Were customers important in deciding on the new Koenig & Bauer Rapida 145?

Customers want more than CMYK plus an emulsion coating. When we chose the specification of the press it was with what customers might want in mind and we are creating a samples pack to show the sorts of effects and impacts that you can have with packaging. We want to be producing more better quality work, making boxes that customers can be proud of.

How would you classify your customers?

We work across a diversity if product and industry sectors so there is not one typical customer. This helps us because customers will tend to have peaks at different times of the year – they are all busy at the end of the year, however. Different customers also have different requirements which is where we score in terms of customer service. We excel at a consultative sell.

What does that mean for customers?

We can handle the structural design element of a carton, which is especially important as brands move away from plastic; we organise and source a thermoformed pulp inlay, we can advise customers on materials to use. It’s a turnkey service. We are solutions providers not simply box makers. This is especially important because of the loss of experienced buyers in the industry and the high churn rates that customers experience.

How do you see the impact of the pandemic years?

Covid exposed the weaknesses of the Just in Time concept and also of a Beyond Europe supply chain. That has encouraged customers to bring work back to the UK and they will never go back now. we can offer a two week lead time for regular work. They can’t get that from other parts of the world.