Mark-it Labels
Marking out a strong future
Nigel Ransley doesn’t like to waste time and runs his business, Mark-it Labels accordingly. The business prides itself on quick response and short turnaround times for the manufacture and supply of adhesive labels, tags, thermal transfer ribbons and printers. Horticulture, fishing, agriculture, logistics and retail sectors regularly rely on Mark-it Labels’ products.
"Our size and equipment allows us to be very flexible, often bending over backwards for clients. Our turnaround is much quicker than our larger competitors and we supply orders really promptly, sometimes within hours. This means clients can order a bit less more often, assisting their cashflow without large amounts of stock on hand," says Nigel, Managing Director.
Established in 1997, the company is small but nimble, with smart strategies to service its nationwide customers. An Account Manager covers the South Island and several of the firm’s key accounts in Christchurch. Another Account Manager covers Wellington to Palmerston North along with a portion of Auckland. A further Auckland-based Account Manager covers New Plymouth, Wanganui and Auckland down to Taupo.
"Our strength is establishing solid relationships – with suppliers, clients and within our team. In today’s rushed and challenging business environment, it is crucial to take time to chat. Staff and customers are the backbone of any business."
In 2007, Mark-it Labels also started a small Brisbane-based operation. "With strong growth in New Zealand-based sales, I know we can grow our Australian operations too. Over the next three years we will work closely with Andrew at Markhams to achieve this."
Since 2006, Andrew Brady, Markhams Director, has assisted Nigel with end of financial year budgets, setting sales targets, identifying equipment to purchase and providing business advice. "It is fantastic to have Andrew as our sounding board for financial advice and business direction. I bounce around ideas and Andrew works out the financial feasibility – the numbers, budget and pricing to ensure we efficiently recoup on investment."
Nigel notes that the last three years have been ones of good planning and the company is grateful to Andrew for his support. With excellent growth over the past two years, Mark-it Labels is expecting the same trend for 2011.
"Despite the recession we are definitely not going backwards. Having sound financial advice puts us on the right foot to move forward. Through analysis we identified the need to put resources into establishing robust processes and procedures. Anna Riley, Senior Manager for Markhams helps us with this and she recently spent a week working on systemising our ordering system to improve efficiencies. On Andrew’s advice we have also created a new Operational Manager position."
With innovation, communication and service high on Nigel’s list, he is thankful he took the advice of a business advisor and contacted Markhams. "The fit is perfect for us. Andrew’s fresh approach is on the same wavelength as our reasonably young team. He gets us and we’ll stick with that."
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Published Autumn 2011.
