According to the company, these ranges are ideal for luxury packaging, and for jewellery and retail store displays. Both ranges are REACH compliant, which means they meet the EU regulatory requirements of protecting human health and the environment from chemical risks.
Additionally, Velours Recycled is produced without animal products or hazardous chemicals, complying with Oekoe-Tex certification standards.
According to MD Steve Burdett, the company is ideally placed to offer solutions to the growing list of requirements from customers, brands and agencies.
The ranges make use of Winter & Co’s WRUP-Cycling process to create high-quality covering materials from recycled raw materials. Steve describes WRUP-Cycling as an upcycling process in which selected recycled raw materials from post-consumer and post-industrial waste are processed into new cover materials. ‘Nabuka Recycled has a soft and stretchy PU finish and can be embossed and refined with screen printing, while Velours Recycled offers an elegant and soft velvet finish,’ he explains.
The products are in line with Winter & Co’s economic sustainability statement and are the first in a series of product introductions. Graphica, a member of the Winter Group, represents the products in South Africa.
Management changes
After 43 years of service at Winter & Company, Steve Burdett retires as MD at the end of February. He will be replaced by current sales director, Paul Davinson, who has worked at the company for more than 20 years.
Reflecting on his 15 years of travelling to South Africa, Steve ranks building superb business and social relationships at the top of his career highlights list. ‘These experiences have allowed me to take some of that wonderful uniqueness and apply it elsewhere in my life,’ he remarks. ‘As a director of Graphica, I’ve grown close to all staff members and the management team. I wish them the very best and trust that the more than 20-year bond between the two companies will continue growing from strength to strength.
Simon Grose, MD of Graphica, adds: ‘Steve has been a tremendous asset to the South African business during the past 21 years. His experience and knowledge through all facets of the industry are unsurpassed, and he has driven the quest for excellence throughout our business with great passion.
‘While we value his business insights and technical expertise, it is his friendship, guidance, and good humour; we will miss the most. We wish him the best of times during his retirement,’ Simon concludes.
