First impressions count more than ever

In the six years since PPM’s previous profile, First Impression Labels (FIL) has expanded at an amazing pace – moving to considerably larger premises, and investing extensively in the latest label printing and converting technology, including a leap into the digital printing pond. It has also branched out into folding carton production. And that’s just scratching the surface of the company’s advances – as is evident in the pages of this latest profile.

One thing that hasn’t changed, despite the move to larger premises, is a tastefully-decorated reception area and elegantly-appointed boardroom,  providing an instantly-recognisable ‘woman’s touch’ and a distinct family-business aura.

The woman, of course, is director Sandra Cumming, aided and abetted by operations director Vaughan Cumming. But today the family involvement extends beyond this potent husbandand-wife team to include Sandra’s two daughters – Bianca Inggs (senior estimator) and Chanel Lucke (internal sales) – and son Cameron Inggs (sales representative).

But as family-orientated as the business might be, and as homely as the administrative quarters appear, there’s no mistaking the emphasis on professionalism and leading-edge technology.  A step through the door into the factory reveals a battery of gleaming printing, converting and finishing equipment, churning out top-quality pressure-sensitive, shrink sleeve and wraparound labels – and now folding cartons – for an evergrowing customer base.

Six years ago, Sandra Cumming remarked: ‘Undoubtedly we will continue to grow, but we’re not only chasing corporate contracts – all our customers are important to us, even the small ones. We want our company to be big enough to compete but small enough to care.’

That philosophy certainly has endured, and has ensured that FIL continues to make a lasting impression in South Africa’s label printing industry – and is now set to serve the folding carton market with the same degree of passion.