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Grabbing opportunity with both hands A short-term transfer proved to be the catalyst for Natasha Benson to take her career in a whole new direction. Natasha Benson was employed as a personal assistant to the GM when she was temporarily seconded to the internal sales department. Her boss, Gavin Coppin, national sales manager, recalls, ‘A few years ago Plastform was in a predicament as both of the then internal salesladies resigned at the same time. Natasha stepped in and, in spite of trying times, managed to assist our customers by capturing their orders and arranging deliveries on time.’ The move to a customer-facing role suited her personality and it wasn’t long before she was asked to take over the marketing and public-relations functions and, more recently, new product development. ‘I really enjoy dealing with people, and I think I’m quite good at it,’ says the self-assured Natasha. ‘I think I’ve found my niche in this new role but it hasn’t been easy. I’ve had to study along the way to prepare myself for the demands of these important functions: first I did a PR course, and last year I completed a one-year diploma in packaging through the Institute of Packaging of South Africa.’ New product development is an important part of Astrapak’s vision of becoming the country’s leading supplier of plastic packaging. Existing or potential clients normally approach the company requesting some kind of specialised packaging, and this starts off an intensive and comprehensive research process. All the relevant details of the proposed container are established, including size, special properties and machinery. A search determines if there are any existing products in the range that might meet the client’s needs. If not, a study is conducted into potential volumes and the cost of new tooling, and cost estimates are developed. If the client is satisfied with the estimates, prototypes of the new product are made. Once the customer is 100% satisfied that the concept meets his needs, he signs off and the production runs commence. ‘The process from concept to production can take as little as 8 to 12 weeks but it can be quite a lot longer in some instances,’ says Natasha. She says that the IPSA diploma has been an important aspect in preparing her for her new role. ‘Advising clients on types of plastic and production methods can be quite intimidating, but once you’ve been through the programme, you’re well equipped to deal with almost any query.’ Part of the diploma’s requirements is the completion of a packaging project, where the student must develop a new product from scratch, together with a complete report on the need and marketing rationale, through to how it will be made and from what materials. Natasha developed a five-portion tray for instant oats named Good 2 Go! Uniquely innovative was the inclusion of disposable spoons – one for each portion – in the tray. Natasha was nominated for the Student Gold Pack National Awards and won an award for her report submission. Natasha is clearly aiming for even higher honours: she’s now embarked on a three-year marketing diploma through the Institute of Marketing Management. ‘I’d certainly encourage anyone working in Astrapak to take advantage of the courses on offer,’ she says. ‘The extra commitment does take some juggling and there are times when you’re not sure how you’re going to cope with the assignments, but the new knowledge is something you will have forever and it enables you to become an even more valuable asset to the company and your clients.’ Says Gavin, ‘Natasha has always gone the extra mile. She’s wanted to understand the whole process, to grow and learn more about packaging. In spite of a heavy work schedule, she’s done extremely well in her courses. Astrapak encourages those with the aptitude and willingness to grow and develop themselves, and assists by paying for their studies. The only proviso is that they have to work for the company for two years after completion of their studies.’ It’s a challenge to go back to the books but worth every moment, says Plastform’s Natasha Benson. 8 ASTRAPAK NEWS
Still in play: Harry Phiri After three decades in the business, Harry Phiri has seen Plastform through several ups and downs. Now, he says, ‘This industry has a great future.’ When Man United fan Harry Phiri joined the company in the early 1980s, his time-clock number was 8. ‘Focus on what you’re doing and the rewards will come; employees who are diligent get recognised,’ he says. Harry Phiri is a solid guy: he’s lived in the same house for 26 years, been married to the same woman for 28 years and worked at Plastform for 32 years. But it didn’t start out all roses. When Harry first joined Plastform in 1980, he only lasted a few months: he was fired for taking the day off to commemorate the 16 June Soweto riots. Fortunately for everyone, the following year the managing director offered him his job back and Harry, now forming manager, hasn’t looked back. ‘I started out as an operator when the business was located in Observatory and moved through all the departments – extrusion, forming, printing and logistics – before settling in forming. It was a dynamic little business but the company hit hard times in the ’80s: increasing competition, poor manufacturing standards and virtually no quality control nearly saw the doors close permanently. World Class Manufacturing wasn’t a phrase that had even been invented back then.’ He recalls being told by his manager at the time: ‘If the container can stand upright, send it out!’ The company had already outgrown its Observatory premises by then, and a devastating fire that destroyed the plant proved to be a blessing in disguise, necessitating a move to larger premises in Lansdowne, where it remains today. Harry has seen technology change over the years, from four-cavity moulds performing 8 to 10 cycles per minute to 20 cavity moulds completing 30 cycles now. Materials have also changed: the introduction of polyprop in the ’80s brought a huge number of headaches: it was a material that they weren’t used to dealing with, there was a lot of waste and injuries were frequent. Not only that, but machine setters retained all the knowledge to make a piece of equipment work at peak performance in their brain, and without that person’s input, a machine would frequently be idle. ‘Previously, machine operators had minimal education and few responsibilities,’ Harry recalls. ‘Nowadays, all new equipment requires some sort of computer literacy, and responsibilities including the writing of reports and even presentations to team members.’ The company went through another period of instability when Astrapak first came into the picture but the implementation of World Class Manufacturing was the catalyst for staff at all levels to come together as a team, with outstanding results. Investment in new extrusion and thermoforming equipment has also contributed to staff feeling that there’s a secure future in the company. A career highlight for this father of two was his first trip overseas on an equipment fact-finding trip that took the team on a 14-connecting-flight journey – quite daunting for someone who’d never set foot in an aircraft before. Outside of the office Harry is a soccer fanatic: a Manchester United fan since 1977, he’s the chairperson of the Cape Town branch of the official Manchester United Supporters Club. In addition to being a rallying point for fans to watch games, the club is also active in the community, undertaking fundraising and other upliftment projects. They recently worked with the Reach for a Dream Foundation to facilitate a meeting between a terminally ill child and a visiting Manchester United player. After three decades in the business, Harry has some advice for people entering the industry: ‘Do your job to the best of your ability, and don’t be scared to take responsibility. Take advantage of the training opportunities that are offered. Don’t be discouraged by obstacles but see them as opportunities to create a new path forward.’ ASTRAPAK NEWS 9
Page 1 and 2: A world of opportunities June 2012
Page 3 and 4: Message from the CEO’s office I
Page 5 and 6: Consupaq WCM trainer wins award Tru
Page 7: Proud of our people Marcom’s succ
Page 11 and 12: Meet our new people person Mefane M

'Sawubona' to Sandile

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