Delivering expertise and advanced flexible packaging solutions to the convenience, fresh produce, bakery and confectionery markets around the globe, export sales today represent 40% of the company’s business.
Core to its impressive international growth is the comprehensive way in which the KM team researches, visits and supports export customers, whilst efficient production and despatch procedures ensure continuous and reliable supply.
KM Packaging is currently active in 18 countries, with an impressive overall export sales growth increase of £1m in the past two years alone.
Charles Smithson, Managing Director at KM Packaging, said: “Key to our success in exports is our strong customer service ethos. We recognise that customers around the world have different needs and requirements. With more than 30 years’ experience and knowledge of managing a global supply chain, our customers can be confident that we can deliver, wherever in the world they may be.
“As an independently owned company, we place particular importance on taking a personal approach. We provide a wealth of expertise to worldwide customers both onsite and remotely to offer the best advice on product specifications.”
A seven-strong service team provides individual support to customers around the world, whilst our printed flexible packaging customers have additional access to our online webcentre enabling them to track and view the status of projects 24/7.
It is testament to KM’s product portfolio and customer service that the company continues to work with its original confectionery clients, and continues to maintain impressive customer retention in both the UK and export food manufacturing markets.
Sara Athey, having joined the company in 1989 is the longest serving member of the KM customer service team. She commented: “KM believes strong relationships form the backbone of any successful supply chain. The customer service team is therefore dedicated to establishing close partnerships with all those we work with, from couriers and freight forwarders to clearing agents. We always do our best for our customers and look to work with partners that have the same ethos and will pull out all the stops to get the job done.
“The team believes that customers’ requirements are paramount and will always pick up the phone and talk to them directly, wherever in the world they may be. We never give up, holding ownership as a core value and working hard to always find a solution if issues arise.”
To meet the needs of the fast-moving food and beverage market, KM Packaging can deliver trial reels in days, not weeks, as well as attend trials to help customers run lines efficiently and optimally.
Smithson continued: “Our aim is to deliver right first-time products and enable our global customers to launch products to the market with speed, security and efficiency.”
Ensuring overseas customers have the most appropriate supply model for their business is crucial. KM offers both ‘cost insurance freight’ and ‘delivered duty paid’ as options and, if required, utilises or establishes local warehousing for customers.
Smithson added: “We are committed to making business easy for our overseas customers by taking the hassle out of importing. Through excellent customer service, partnerships with reputable transport providers and knowledge of packaging markets around the world, we are able to tailor solutions to meet individual needs and take care of the necessary global logistics, so our customers can concentrate on their business.”
“Our strong roots in exporting, combined with our forward-thinking approach to customer service, ensure we can supply products to our customers around the world with ease.”