Following the launch of the eSackTM range, which dispenses with the mess in the kitchen, and with customers including Bidvest, Polaris Plastics is a major provider of refuse sacks to the food service sector.
A member of both the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) and the Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA), Polaris is active in driving up standards in the industry.
The company has a new Managing Director, Paul Wilkes. He joined the business in November 2013, being promoted to head up the business in September last year and taking on the MD’s role in April this year.He has been outlining his ambitious strategy for Polaris Plastics.
“My goal is to have a business which is 50% bigger by 2020 and we will achieve this it by staying true to our philosophy of serving our customers,” said Paul Wilkes.
“The business is 29 this year,” continued Paul Wilkes. “David Garcia (our Chairman) founded it in 1987, putting customers at the heart of everything we do from day one.
“This approach paid dividends. We’ve achieved a great deal over the years but perhaps we’re most proud of the fact we have customers with us today who came on board on day one. Nothing says more about our commitment to high quality service and products more than that.
“Our commitment to quality products is long standing. Polaris was a founding member of the CHSA Accreditation Scheme for Plastic Refuse Sacks. We recognized the need to drive up standards in the industry and the Accreditation Schemes do exactly that. They give buyers the guarantee that what’s on the box is in the box.
“We remain actively involved, all the sacks we sell being stamped with the Accreditation Scheme marque of quality. Underpinned by regular, tough audits conducted by the CHSA’s Independent Inspector, this Accreditation carries weight.
“But we are not and never have been complacent and the business is now ready for the next stage of its evolution.
“Polaris is strong becoming stronger. We have delivered double digit growth for the past 18 months and I am setting the ambitious target of increasing our turnover by 50% by 2020.
“Our growth since 2014 has been driven by the eSackTM system.”
Available as either a wall mounted fixed dispenser or a portable integrated dispenser, the eSack™ range makes it possible to ‘dispense with the mess’. The CHSA accredited sacks are non-gusseted and leak proof meaning they are hygienic. The large capacity rolls minimise the time refilling the dispenser. eSack™ also has strong environmental credentials. The sacks are made from 100% recycled polythene and the packaging and portable dispensing systems from 100% recycled cardboard.
“We will continue to bring new products and ranges to market,” continued Paul. “And by listening carefully to our customers we will make sure they are the products they want.
“Responding directly to feedback from our customers in the catering sector we are already developing solutions that include food grade bags.”
Looking into the future, Paul predicts there will be a swing from price to value.
“Increasingly customers are recognizing the false economy of buying sacks on price. There is an understandable unrelenting pressure on price. As manufacturers we have responded with new blends that are strong and perform for the intended purpose. This makes sense, but only if the sack continues to be ‘fit for purpose’. Users are increasingly getting fed up of buying the absolute cheapest but then spending more by ‘double bagging’ it.
“Along with the rest of the industry, we need to get across the importance of a sack being ‘fit for purpose’.
“Membership of respected organisations including the FPA and the CHSA is an essential part of this process.
“Polaris Plastics’ success has been built on good quality products, consistency of supply, excellent service and a truly flexible approach to customers.
“We will stray true to this core philosophy as we drive the business forward and realize our ambitions.”
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