Alan Cogill
Keeping up to date with trends and developments in his industry has helped Alan Cogill, who runs Supreme Cylinders together with Andre du Plooy, to stay ahead of the pack in servicing his print industry clients. Cogill, whose company manufactures tooling for the printing industry, says he subscribes to two local magazines that cover his industry. He has found new packaging clients listed in the publications. “I go through them every month to find out who the new companies are,” says Cogill. He also regularly browses the internet and emails his technical team about any new industry trends and ideas he wants them to look into, while his sales team keeps in touch with any demands from clients on things such as new dyes. Says Cogill: “We kind of keep our mind relaxed so we can stay two steps ahead.”
He also attends business seminars and reguarly visits local as well as international trade expos to keep up to date on the latest technology and services offered by competitors and international companies. The industry association to which he belongs also provides him with contact details of possible clients.
He says as soon as his team find out about a new product that is not being used locally they look into the possibility of taking it up. In monthly staff meetings Cogill also gets his employees to talk about how the business can improve the existing services they offer.
