ALIGNING PRODUCTS AND BRAND
Promotional and corporate gifting company Piobox Trading has merchandise brand alignment as its focus. The company is determined to make a difference in South Africa’s environmental initiatives. This can be seen by the company’s product range, 40% of which is manufactured from recycled materials.
A niche offering
The company started at the time of the build up to the Football Confederation Cup preceding the 2010 FIFA World Cup. “We saw a gap in the
market,” says Alan, “and aligned ourselves with the Coca Cola brand and the recycled products we produce. This alignment, along with a family Hong-Kong-based business, gave us direct access to a large amount of recycled element factories based in China.
So, what makes Piobox different from other companies? “We manufacture as many products as we can that have an eco-sustainability background,” points out Alan’s partner, Wandile Rikhotso. “We do full test certificates on all products guaranteeing it is produced from recycled materials.”
“One example,” Wandile says, “is we only use water-based ink which is non-toxic. We offer the same promotional product lines other companies offer, but in an eco-friendly and sustainable product line.”
If any of their products do not pass the quality checking process the product line is rejected. Quality is checked both in China and locally.
Gaining the edge
The company’s also sources solutions for clients, “especially as far as brand and product alignment are concerned,” says Alan. “We describe ourselves as young, dynamic, fresh and innovative procurement specialists.”“We do R&D where required,” adds Wandile, “which enables us to conceptualise unique and creative concepts while ensuring the products are aligned with clients’ brands.”
CASE STUDY
Coca Cola South Africa requested a branded customised sports water bottle, aligned with Coca Cola’s global brief. The sports bottles had to reflect the company’s logo, depict the industry it specialised in and be eco-friendly.
“We immediately began R&D on the possibilities,” says Wandile. “We examined the market, the raw material suppliers and technical aspects around creating a unique mould.” Using a Cape Town-based supplier, the company spent time experimenting. “We developed different shades to match Powerade’s pantones and pigments of the plastic. It had to be 100% correct,” says Alan. “We worked on designs with the artists. This included the bottle size, the logo’s printed areas, leak-proof caps and various blends of materials.”
The result: a product approved by The Coca Cola Company / Powerade which cannot be duplicated, is in line with the company’s corporate ID, BPA free and eco-friendly. “On the eco-friendly front,” Wandile adds, “the bottle is made of recycled polypropylene.”
Once the sports bottle was complete Piobox was requested to design a custom box to complete the overall package. “Again it is the brand that we take cognisance of,” Wandile reiterates. “We worked alongside our client to provide exactly what was expected. It was a work-in-progress and the result speaks for itself.”
Products and supply
“The promotional market is stale,” says Alan. “Many companies import goods.” However, Piobox creates new and different products which are not in circulation. “To achieve this,” Wandile says, “we mostly use local suppliers. So while much of our recycled materials are imported from China, the majority of the work is done in South Africa.”
The company is active in Mozambique, Kenya and Botswana.
*Alan and Wandile can be contacted 011 326 3386 or via e-mail toalan@piobox.co.zaandwandi@piobox.co.za.
