Goods & Services | Wimpex
Getting your goods ready for distribution The fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) field isn’t for the faint hearted. It’s as the name suggests, a fast paced environment and much is expected of its packaging manufacturers. A specialist in toll processing, contract manufacture and consumer packaging of dry foods, Wimpex is a major service provider to the FMCG sector. Wimpex offers a full turnkey service, from the supply of ingredients, importation of high grade flexible food packaging materials, blended consumer packaging cartoning and labeling, with the finished goods dispatched, palletised and wrapped, ready for distribution.
a strong competitive position according to marketing and administration manager Neil Cullen. Originally from Serbia, Vladan was CEO of his family-owned consumer packaging and manufacturing operation Belgrade for 20 years. The company exported products throughout Europe, before being destroyed during the Yugoslavian conflicts. He sought refuge for his family in New Zealand where he milked cows and drove buses before taking on a position with Synlait Milk. The desire to have his own business still ran strong and eventually Wimpex was established as a family owned business, operating out of a small plant in Sydenham.
Established in 2008 by Vladin Vukovic and his wife Natasa, Wimpex overcame the challenges of the earthquakes and is now in
Neil met Vladan in early 2010. With a background in banking and finance, Neil had been based in Africa for two years previous working as the regional director for a USA based development agency. Together they doubled the size of the Sydenham plant and just one month after partnership was established, the September earthquake hit. “The company itself survived unscathed. What didn’t survive so well was the largely local customer base. Realising we must help ourselves we set about a nationwide marketing campaign so that everyone in the food industry in New Zealand was aware of Wimpex, its capabilities and what we could offer.”
Insulated building systems from conception to completion
It proved a successful strategy. Large corporate brands in the FMCG market came onboard and the business grew so rapidly in the following months that it precipitated the move in March 2012, to a much larger purpose built fitout in Hornby. “We were both used to working in chaos,” Neil notes, “Vladin in conflict and me in Africa. I think that prepared us well and while it was a stressful time there is satisfaction in what we achieved”
Partnerships the pave the way The general ethos is one of a close knit family, customers and suppliers alike. Paneltech and Amcor Cartons are just two of the company’s loyal suppliers. “Paneltech delivered very well when we fitted out our new plant given we were novices at construction project management and timelines were short. Amcor is a key partner for us given our extensive use of cartons and they are very attentive to our needs. At the end of the day, delivery of a high quality product is a team effort involving ourselves, our suppliers and our staff. We have developed a very good team.” Today Wimpex manufactures and packages between 3-5 million units for the New Zealand retail grocery market every year and is associated with some of New Zealand’s best known consumer brands. The company continues to expand and has created seven new FTE job opportunities this year with plans to add further staff. “We can see strong opportunities in the added value processing, consumer packaging and export of New Zealand primary products. The next move for Wimpex is to expand into export markets and planning for this is well advanced.”
■ Processing & Agricultural Facilities ■ Chillers & Freezers ■ Maintenance ■ Insulated Doors ■ Truck Bodies Proud to be associated with Wimpex Ltd p:
(03) 349 9367
f:
(03) 349 9375
e:
admin@paneltech.co.nz
www.paneltech.co.nz “Over 16 years in Canterbury”
www.wimpex.co.nz
Specialists in the blending and consumer packaging of dry powder and granulated foods - suppliers of food grade pre-printed flexible packaging. 64 | July/August 2012 www.canterburytoday.co.nz
Points of difference FMCG is not only a fast paced industry sector, but it is a very competitive environment. Wimpex competes with a full turn-key service unsurpassed in the industry. But that’s not all, explains Neil. “We are a critical part of the customers’ supply chain and this is a responsibility we take very seriously. The best position for the customer is to be able to deliver a purchase order and we take care of every step in the process up to dispatching the product. That is what we do best - leaving the customer free to concentrate on marketing their product. “Our total adherence to quality and on-time, on-spec delivery on a full turnkey basis sets us apart in the industry. We’ve never failed to meet a delivery, no matter how impossible it has seemed because at the end of the day that is who we are.” Wimpex packages anything from one gram to akilogram in a variety of packaging styles, including sticks, sachets, pillow packs and is one of few packaging companies with automated machinery for stand up pouches. Wimpex also imports pre-printed packaging film and pouches for its customers, which increases the company’s competitive advantage. The packaging materials are very high quality, cost effective, and certified food grade by the appropriate international authorities.
Wimpex 51 Edmonton Road Hornby Christchurch T (03) 377 4376 www.wimpex.co.nz
— Advertising Feature