Agrimark Packaging Nelspruit

"Our most important task here is to build strong relationships with our producers by visiting them regularly and ensuring that we can meet all their production needs." This is the belief of Johan Krugel, manager of Agrimark Packaging Nelspruit, regarding the role they should fulfil in the Mbombela area.

The Nelspruit area is known for a variety of agricultural activities, particularly vegetables and fruits. Agrimark Packaging Nelspruit is a major supplier of packaging materials for producers of avocados, lychees, citrus fruits, macadamia nuts, blueberries, granadillas, bananas, kiwis, and dragon fruit. "Some days I drive up to 300 km because we also serve the Komatipoort area," says Johan.

"I believe this is what sets us apart and why we have so many loyal customers. We have good relationships built on good communication. I don't believe in just visiting producers when I want to sell products. We don’t just sell; we ensure that mutual trust is built in our industry," he says.

"We visit the producers to determine their needs for the coming season and together do the planning and harvest estimates to establish what packaging materials they will need. Then we work together on the budgets and schedules for the next six months to ensure they get the right materials at the right time, especially to make sure we get those packaging materials in time and can supply according to their specific needs."

Zander Groenewald, a regular customer, says that Johan provides very thorough customer service. "He calls regularly and comes for coffee, but he is also very quick to send quotes when we ask for them. Their prices are competitive compared to the rest of the market and his personal relationships with us as producers are top class. He regularly follows up on enquiries we've made, and his quick response ensures that we get our products on time."

Agrimark Packaging Nelspruit is one of 11 Agrimark Packaging branches that supply specialised packaging materials. This includes specialised products for the avocado industry, for example. However, they also offer other products such as cartons for various products, gas sheets, paper liners, plastic bags, labels, and bands used to seal or secure cartons, pallets, and crates. The packaging materials are also aimed at correctly packaging products for the export market.

Agrimark Packaging Nelspruit also offers a limited range of household products, including cleaning supplies, dog food, and other utility items. Equipment such as scissors, gloves, picking bags, and crates for the harvest season are also offered. If customers are looking for specific products, the store usually orders them from another Agrimark store. Plans are already being made to further expand the product range.

"Our focus here is mainly on packaging materials, but we also arrange bulk deliveries of, for example, fertiliser and diesel, which we deliver directly to the producers' farms," he says proudly.

"The economy, of course, plays an important role in the production cycles of our producers, and they have had a tough time over the past few years with droughts, rising input costs of products such as fertilisers and chemicals due to global geopolitical circumstances, and prices that do not always meet expectations. Their input costs just keep rising and profits are shrinking. And if producers are not paid, there is also greater pressure on the financing packages we can offer them. Fortunately, there has been no load shedding recently," says Johan.

Johan has agriculture in his blood and has developed an interest in this industry since his childhood on a sugar plantation near Malelane where his father worked. He is a people person and believes that staff and customers should always feel comfortable talking to him, that problems should be ironed out, and that they should work together to provide good service.

Johannes Moolman, the operational packaging manager of avocado producers HL Hall & Sons, confirms that Agrimark Packaging Nelspruit's service is top-notch.

"I am responsible for the packing price of everything that goes on our pallets and for me to remain competitive in the market, I need to get the best products at the best prices for my producers. I do thorough analyses of the quality and prices and can say with a clear conscience that at least 80% of the products included in my pallets come from Agrimark Packaging Nelspruit. They are competitive, provide fantastic service, and their communication with us as customers is excellent," he says.

According to Riaan Stassen, production manager of Acacia Lakes, granadilla producers, the store is known for its good service. "If I place an order and let them know that I will be there at a certain time, my order is always ready for me to pick up. And if there is any hiccup, Johan always lets us know in advance so that we are fully aware of where we stand. It has happened that I needed packaging materials on a Saturday and I could get absolutely everything I needed from them."

Despite external factors such as declining product prices and rising input costs, the future looks bright for Agrimark Packaging Nelspruit. Their willingness to offer the best solutions for the producers ensures satisfied and loyal customers.

Agrimark Packaging Nelspruit: Riana Street 9, Rocky's Drift, 1200 | Tel: 013 753 2361 | www.agrimark.co.za