Supplying fifty lines of baby vegetables, leafy greens and herbs to many of South Africa's retailers has been good training ground for what Glamourveg packhouse plans to do next. "We are very well-versed in retail supply and the many requirements that go with it," says director Nico le Roux.
Of their ambition to develop the export potential of baby vegetables in less well-trodden markets, like Middle Eastern retail, Poland and other Eastern European countries, his partner Johan le Roux remarks: "We like the blue ocean approach." Glamourveg Packers currently exports to the hospitality sector of Indian Ocean islands of Seychelles and Mauritius and the success has whetted their export appetite.
The packhouse is twenty minutes from the Lanseria international Airport and an hour from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
"Baby veg remains a big draw card," Du Plessis says. "It travels well and you can keep a firm handle on its quality. The Middle East could probably be close enough for lettuce, micro herbs, edible flowers and pea shoots. We're also interested in exploring opportunities to these countries, or any other country where the hospitality sector is in need of our product lines.
'Glamour People' have a delicate touch in the packhouse
"We're very adept at following retail specifications," remarks Du Plessis. Glamourveg Packers has programmes at three of South Africa's retailers, daily sending vegetables to Johannesburg distribution centres.
Right: Glamourveg experiences high spring onion demand
Locally, spring onion is their most traded item, followed by spinach (loose leaf and cut) and coriander leaves (cilantro) for which demand spikes especially during Ramadan. The coming month of December is one of their most intense: leisurely summer holidays require salads to accompany poolside barbecues, and Glamourveg sometimes works until late at night to prepare their clients' orders to ensure consistency in their service delivery.
"We pride ourselves on a delicate touch in the packhouse and on specializing in packaging denominations. We'd like to think that Glamourveg Packers is highly agile when approaching customer needs. We believe in being innovative and if a client requires a change to the run-of-the-mill way of packing and packaging a product, we will get it done."
Du Plessis adds that they regard themselves as problem solvers in the case of someone who, besides a year round offering of the baby veg and herb mainstays, is looking for artichokes in winter, perhaps, or for pink celery or yellow chard. South Africa's best-known asparagus brand, Denbi, is another addition to their portfolio.
They remark on their desire to continuously gain traction for their stakeholders. "We're hoping that our diverse product range, coupled with our understanding of this range, satisfy the international market. The agri industry comes with its daily challenges and as the 'Glamour People' we embrace what we've learned and gear up to do our best the next day again."
"We'd like to think that Glamourveg Packers is highly agile when approaching customer needs."
For more information:
Nico le Roux and Johan du Plessis
Glamourveg Packers
Tel: +27 82 415 2426
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
https://glamourveg.com