Avery’s 75 years of discovery

From his pressure-sensitive materials and production technologies, for which he received 18 patents over the course of his career, the company named after him has evolved into a $6-billion (R42-billion) global leader in labelling and packaging solutions, retail branding and information solutions, and organisation and identification solutions for work and home.Innovation that improves customers’ businesses and lives has been at the heart of Avery Dennison since 1935. Its products have a daily impact on what people buy, the clothes they wear, the cars they drive, the signs they pass on the highway, and in their offices and schools. ‘Realising the company’s global vision will require passion, commitment and a clear understanding of our enabling framework – integrity, excellence, teamwork, community, innovation and service – to transform these aspirations into reality,’ claims Dean Scarborough.

‘Our strategy is clear-cut; we want to own, manage and profitably grow a portfolio of related businesses – businesses that create innovative solutions that transform information and elevate brands, for our customers’ customers.’Stan Avery’s legacy of leading, advancing and discovering continues; and as Avery Dennison celebrates its 75th anniversary, it’s moving forward with investment in new markets, products and technology to achieve a new vision – to become a company that makes every brand more inspiring and the world more intelligent. To accelerate performance Avery Dennison has established new leadership principles to ensure it has the best people and teams in place to lead the company into the future. Dean believes that these principles – to think big and act boldly; to focus on customers in the market; to provide vision and direction; to drive action and execution; to rally and empower people; to collaborate across boundaries; to build organisational capability and model integrity and social responsibility – define how to think, act and develop the winning behaviours necessary to accelerate change, and realise Avery’s vision.‘Uncovering new opportunities and solutions are paramount to our growth,’ Dean reiterates. ‘We’re broadening our outlook to include and engage our customers’ customers. Understanding what brand owners require to differentiate their brands and grow their businesses will give us new insights that will drive our innovation success.’

Local strength and support

Avery Dennison South Africa has already established a reputation as an innovative partner to local manufacturers (PPM Nov06, p43), committed to adding value with solutions rather than just selling products and, through a strong and skilled technical team, working with converters and brand owners to ensure the best result for every application. It planted its roots in this country in 1968 when its self-adhesive label materials were introduced – under the Fasson brand. From its original small office in Doornfontein, Gauteng, with only two employees – Peter Tillbrooke, who handled screen products (Fascal), and Dennis Leech, who was in charge of roll materials (Fasroll and Fasprint) –  the current Avery Dennison operation now boasts a central manufacturing facility in Stormill, Gauteng, and distribution centres in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. Headed by Craig Zeelie, who took over the general manager’s reins from Kent Stobbart last year, Avery Dennison now supplies self-adhesive labelling materials, graphics arts media and supply chain management solutions, such as RFID tags and speciality tapes, to a host of multinational and local customers.

Much of the local company’s success can be attributed to its corporate values which focus on service excellence and team work to meet the needs of its customers. By combining labelling materials technology, brand information solutions and efficient manufacturing operations, it consistently aims to provide outstanding value for customers across Africa. As a subsidiary of a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Avery Dennison South Africa upholds the highest standards of corporate governance providing best practice service solutions, quality materials and technical support and has already achieved its ISO 9001: 2002 and ISO 14001 certification.

In line with Avery Dennison’s global 75th anniversary celebrations, local customers are being invited to ‘Discover Avery’ and learn more about the company’s extensive capabilities and products. The focus now is on anticipating customers’ changing needs and helping them succeed by providing creative products and services. By encouraging ‘big picture’ thinking and collaborating with both the end user and the converter, Avery Dennison aims to achieve success.  As Dean Scarborough sums up: ‘Our new emphasis on understanding customers’ problems – and solving them with innovation – is Stan Avery, pure and simple. His ability to see a solution where others just saw the problem helped us bring Avery Dennison seven and a half decades of success, and will be the foundation of the company’s next 75 years.’