CLOMARK’S Midrand-based operation has evolved beyond producing self-adhesive labels into a convenient manufacturing operation for brand owners’ packaging needs – offering shrink sleeves; shipper and closure cartons; and film conversion for sachets, wrappers and other printed laminate applications. MD Shyam Chirkoot emphasises that while the company has experienced significant growth, it has been very careful not to compromise on delivering quality and versatility – such as in-house finishing services, including embossing, hot and cold foiling and shrink sleeve conversion – at faster than average industry lead times in sub-Saharan Africa. Shyam adds that the management team’s sound and in-depth technical knowledge base of packaging development and manufacturing, is driven by an extreme sense of urgency and thriving on sophisticated and specialised work with more complex materials. ‘Being highly-motivated and supported by an in-house laboratory as well as plastic forming technology makes the product development process much easier,’ he states. ‘Additionally, we can offer brand owners design and DTP services, as well as approvals for their entire packaging range (cartons, labels and shrink sleeves) in one sitting. Only having to deal with one converter, enables customers to save on costs, and improves accountability. This particularly facilitates the maintenance of quality and colour consistency across a new range of products.’ Operations manager, Dhiraj Chirkoot reveals that Clomark has converted many customers from selfadhesive labels to shrink sleeves as the technology’s growth potential has blossomed in the South African market. ‘Many brand owners are still shying away from shrink sleeve technology because they don’t know enough about it. Our team, therefore, offers customer education and technical guidance in terms of choosing the right equipment and optimising the converting processes.’ This service demonstrates Clomark’s ability to add value to customers’ businesses and the team’s openness to constant adjustments in the packaging market.