Over the years, the business has relocated six times. Its current home, acquired in 2010, is in Founders View South, Modderfontein. ‘When we moved to our current facility, we had sufficient space for our entire operation; or so we thought!’ Graham relates. ‘But we underestimated our growth potential and soon started extending, not just once but three times. We’ve now more than tripled our capacity to 2 100m2 to accommodate new converting machinery, additional warehousing and office space.’
Representing world-class companies in machinery and materials, and with sales offices in Cape Town and Durban, Trempak boasts an enviable list of blue-chip customers and a formidable reputation nationwide.
‘As a BEE-compliant company, with HACCP accreditation, we proudly offer a diverse range of products, supplying unprinted BOPP, anti-mist film, polyolefin shrink film, and specialised printed and unprinted laminates,’ Graham continues. ‘We also have slitting, bagging and pouching equipment to produce stock items and made-to-order flexible packaging of every description. In addition, we’re the local agent for Bollore, Audion and Smipack machinery, providing sealing and shrink wrap systems.’
To complement these packaging operations, Trempak has a vibrant plastic netting division, meeting diverse requirements in the DIY, gardening, agriculture and mining sectors. Representing Tenax International in southern Africa, Trempak also markets Tremnet, a ‘Proudly South African’ netting brand
Bespoke printing excellence
In January 2007, Graham and partner, Craig Gilmour, launched Didget Printing, specialising in digitally-printed bespoke prototypes for packaging applications and short-run label orders.
‘There’s burgeoning demand for boutique and bespoke packaging and opportunities also abound in promotional packaging and printing where, in just one campaign, we can apply unique numbering, plus several designs, variants and colours – with zero investment in plates or cylinders,’ he continues.
In his view, Trempak’s and Didget’s synergies are obvious – expertise in design, applications and machinery. ‘It’s a great partnership and the market is just beginning to realise what we can do,’ Graham remarks.
Indeed, now in its seventh year, with 11 permanent employees, Didget Printing boasts several industry ‘firsts’ (notably its collaboration with Ti Films, laminating and digitally printing the cover of PACKAGiNG & Print Media’s July 2013 issue).
‘Each day presents new challenges, which are met and conquered with growing expertise and an unsurpassed “can do” attitude,’ Graham maintains. ‘Watch this space for more exciting developments in the near future!’
Going ‘green’
In keeping with Graham and Lynda’s founding philosophy of corporate responsibility, energy requirements have been converted to a renewable and more environmentally-friendly resource – solar power.
‘We spent months consulting and negotiating, finally developing and installing enough solar power capability to create significant impact on the level of energy consumed from the grid.’ comments Graham. ‘The process began modestly, such as replacing office light fittings with energy saving options, then moving to solar-heated geysers. We’re currently able to harvest 60kW of solar power and on the first day of switch-over our surplus of power resulted in a 107% reduction in kWh, 62.3% reduction in kVA demand and an 18.7% reduction in power factor!’
Ultimately, the goal is to reduce kWh consumption, CO2 emissions, coal ash and water consumption, plus aim for carbon neutral status. ‘It has been a long and costly exercise, but the environmental and long-term sustainability payback will be worth it. We’re 100% committed to a bright, responsible and sustainable future for Trempak and Didget, our employees, the industry and the community at large, and we’ll continue to strive for innovation and excellence for many years to come,’ sums up Graham.
