Interview with an MD…

Time for Reflection

In our busy work lives it is easy to get lost in the every day tasks but sometimes it is good to take stock of where you are and why you do what you do. So we thought we would catch up with our MD and ask for a few moments of reflection on how Green Labels came to be and where it is going. Here are his words…

How did it all start?

“The Green Labels parent company, inkREADible Labels, was formed in 1980, so we are celebrating 40 years of trading this year! From the very start we have built a strong client base, which was predominantly within the food and drink industry, mainly because their label requirements are so bespoke.

InkREADible now work in a huge range of industries, if you need a customised label, we can pretty much supply anything through a range of printing methods, materials and finishes.”

What is your own personal interpretation of success regards business?

“The old adage that ‘the customer comes first’ springs to mind. I have no doubt that you have to deliver what the customer wants in order to grow any business and get repeat trade.”

What has been your proudest moment to date?

“Working for a conservation group in Australia was really interesting. We printed a range of biodegradable labels with consecutive numbering in really striking colours.

Some of our smaller orders are fun stickers with a message about climate change, recycling and composting, the destruction of our oceans, about the use of plastics. Stickers that are spreading the message, I am very happy to be part of it.”

What made you decide green labels could be a thing?

“We could see that things were beginning to change with more and more interest in eco-friendly labels, so we sourced biodegradable and compostable materials and offered this to our customers. We knew this would be popular, but the demand has gone far beyond our initial expectations. The majority of our new enquiries are for biodegradable materials, so we decided it was time to dedicate a whole new company to this side of our business.

We don’t want to detract from the core work that inkREADible do because biodegradable materials don’t suit every industry or application. The Green Label company provides biodegradable and compostable labels to those industries and applications where this material works well.”

What has been the greenest project?

“All the labels we print, and supply have green credentials, whether they are biodegradable or compostable. We work with a large number of customers who are striving to make all of their produce and packaging as ‘green’ as possible. We wouldn’t want to single one out, as they are all doing their bit for the environment.”

Why do you think green labels are important and why should a brand choose green labels?

“I think we all know now that, to sustain the planet we live on, we need to reduce the waste we produce or at least be able to recycle it in some way. For a brand to choose green labels, they are reflecting their ethos in their packaging. The environment is high up on the agenda when it comes to government policies and we believe that brands who are making every effort to reduce their own environmental impact is giving off a very positive message to their consumers.”

How can consumers make a difference?

“Read the label! Particularly with food, we know we can read the label to find out the nutritional value, but we can also read the label to find out how recyclable or biodegradable the packaging is. I’m not saying don’t buy products where the packaging isn’t recyclable, more to the point, when it is, make sure that is what you do with it. There is a place for plastic in the world, if we can use it again, so let’s make sure we put it in the correct bin so it is put to best use.”

What is the most difficult aspect of your job/the production?

“Because our labels are so bespoke to every customer, this means that each customer requires individual care and attention. We care about every customer, no matter the size of order and we want to ensure that they get the quality of label and finish that they expect. This takes time and effort, but it is all worth that little extra care.”

What would you like to do more of?

“We want to do more of the same, spread the word about Green Labels and keep the printers busy (don’t let the guys on the shop floor read this though!).”

Where would you like to see the business in 5 years?

“We are constantly looking for new biodegradable materials. In the first instance we would like to keep the cost down, so they are more affordable to a wider audience. We also want to be able to offer a better variety of finishes, so the labels stand out on the shelves. Being able to print in vegetable-based ink as an option is also on the agenda.

We want to ensure we stay ahead of the market and offer the greenest green labels in the industry.”