DFM

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Egg-cellent
p A c k A g I n g S o l u t I o n S
South Africa Magazine profiles DfM, a company that has taken the lead in development and now supplies the widest range of egg packaging in the country. By Ian Armitage

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Dynamic fibre Moulding focus MAnuFActurIng

FM (Dynamic Fibre Moulding) started operations in 1994 in Mandini, KwaZuluNatal, and in the near two-decades since it has become a preferred supplier of moulded natural fibre egg packaging in South Africa. It is a company that has taken the lead in development and has reaped the rewards. It now supplies the widest range of egg packing in SA. Significantly, it uses scrap paper as raw material. The business was born from an increased demand for moulded fibre products and has grown over the years to become a leader in the field of moulded fibre packaging, says technical services manager Dave Gait. We offer the widest range of egg packaging available in South Africa and we supply more than 90 percent of the countrys formal egg producers. We dont just do eggs we also have dairy packaging, distribution packaging, protective packaging and cushion packaging. Moulded fibres properties make it increasingly popular he says. Growth is on the cards. Moulded fibre is establishing itself internationally as a preferred form of industrial cushion packaging due to growing pressure from public and politicians on environmental and waste disposal issues. Dynamic vision and enthusiasm have driven this business forward over the years, resulting in the new technology of thermoforming natural fibre for cushion and locative packaging. This rivals the existing polystyrene and plastic forms used today with the added benefit that these elements are manufactured from recycled material and is biodegradable and recyclable. Off the back of this, DFM has managed to maintain its market position and strength, despite the local market suffering the effects of a double-dip recession. The market has been tough in the last year as a result of the worldwide recession. SA certainly had that double dip but the company has maintained its strength in the market and on the egg packaging
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Dynamic fibre Moulding focus MAnuFActurIng

side. Its been going very well actually, Mr Gait says. Consumers are still buying but they are buying down and the rand isnt stretching as far as it used to. Weve noticed smaller configurations are moving better. To grow the business above organic levels, new markets have been investigated and served, he adds. We have been diversifying and have developed trays for the dairy industry and have enjoyed success in that market. Over the next few months well be launching a number of new products on the fruit packaging side and weve noticed that in terms of environmental awareness SA is certainly waking up. Moulded fibre has a lot to offer in that respect and were trying to capitalise on a shift towards sustainable food produce. Moulded natural fibre packaging is cellulose, or - more simply - raw woodpulp fibre, obtained from either pulp or recycled paper. It is drawn onto fine mesh moulds by vacuum, leaving a thin layer of pulp adhering to the mould. This is dried in an oven to produce common egg box packaging.
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DFM has been going from strength to strength. generally year after year we grow

P.V. TRANSPORT

Lot 805, Old Main Road Stanger 4450 South Africa Tel: 0027 32 551 4260 Fax: 0027 32 551 4277 Email: pvtransport1@telkomsa.net

Your road to professional excellence

P.V. Transport was formed in 1992, initially as a broker company, eventually expanding its wings into a general cartage contracting company. In 1998, the directors made a decision to implement further changes, changing the name from P.V. Transport to Kugan Consultant CC t/a P.V. Transport. Our main objective is to provide an excellent and dedicated logistical service to satisfy our clients total requirements, and to do this we offer the following services: Local, long distance and cross-border haulage Overnight freight services Warehousing & Distribution

Our vision to our clients is to give them: Quality service Appreciation and respect for all clients Providing a service that will enable clients to increase their growth and sales Building on existing relationships, and building good relationships with new clients Expand P.V. Transports growth, whilst acting in an ethical and responsible manner P.V. Transport are proud to be associated with Dynamic Fibre Mouldings

DFM is well aware of the benefits of the natural fibre raw material, the use of which is growing because of its huge environmental advantages - the products, made from recycled material, are themselves 100 percent recyclable and 100 percent biodegradeable. Productivity increases created through efficient operating have also given DFM reasons to be excited. Over the last six months weve upgraded the efficiency of our machines and probably in the not too distant future, maybe the next year or two, were looking at new equipment and hiring people. DFM employs over 200 permanent staff in Mandini.

Most of our people commute many live on the North Coast. Its just the nature of the business. What we have been doing over the last few months is upskilling and weve had an intensive in house training programme for our machine operators. Because the industry is small there are only two main players there isnt a standard training manual so we have spent a couple of years searching for a new development and training manager and his remit has been to develop that side of things. We are probably twothirds of the way through getting all the staff on this new training manual that weve developed.

Staff turnover is low, he adds, and the company is very optimistic about its products and the future. DFM has been going from strength to strength. Generally year after year we grow and weve well positioned ourselves for the next few years to handle rapid growth in the future. Were definitely very positive about the future. DFM is a fully compliant Level 7 BEE registered Company and its quality systems are certified to ISO 9001: 2008. eND To learn more about DFM visit www.dfmsa.co.za.
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South Africa Magazine, Suite 9 and 10, the royal, Bank plain, norwich, norfolk, uk. nr2 4SF tnt Multimedia limited, unit 209, 16 Brune place, london E1 7nJ eNquiries telephone: +44 (0) 1603 343367 Fax: +44 (0)1603 343502 andy.williams@tntmultimedia.com subscriptioNs call: +44 (0)1603 343502 andy.williams@tntmultimedia.com

Dynamic Fibre Moulding (PTY) Ltd Old Main Road Mandeni, 4490 Tel: (032) 456 2387 Fax: (032) 456 2395

www.dfmsa.co.za

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