‘I wasn’t confident about running my own business, but I was determined to make it a success,’ he recalls. ‘Fortunately, operating in a familiar industry with 35 years’ worth of relationships and loyal customers counted in my favour.’
Now working alongside daughter Simone, Peter recently experienced a fortuitous turning point, when IM GROUP (formerly Inkmaker Group) acquired Rexson and his other dispensing equipment partner, Vale-Tech, significantly broadening Base Products’s horizons.
‘It’s a wonderful opportunity to work with a world leader in dispensing technology,’ he states. ‘In addition to our existing partners, IM GROUP provides us with increased scope and opportunities, many outside the printing inks and packaging industries.’
The move means greater access to advertising, new products and technical backup, Simone adds.
‘Advertising has been particularly lacking through the years, with our other partners having had very limited budgets.’
The ethical business practices often lacking today are the pillars that sustain Base Products. ‘We sell equipment from world leaders in each category, and we cultivate relationships with high-value customers who demand the best products and backup service,’ Peter explains. ‘Most of our business is from a smallish pool, which provides continuous and repeated work. This enables us to really concentrate on customers’ needs and make sure they’re met.’
Open communication and a willingness to work through any issue until it’s resolved are among the reasons customers return, Simone says.
Into 2022 and beyond, the pair will focus on expanding their business as they explore the possibilities of the changed arrangement, and as many more converters in the packaging and label industries become aware of the benefits of choosing Base Products. ‘We concentrate on producing accurate repeatable batches within minutes, but, more importantly, we offer a complete ink management system that gives converters control and predictability of costs involved in the production of their inks.’
While repeat business is always affirmation that the company is doing things right, honest criticism is never ignored, as it leads to practical and meaningful improvements, Peter maintains. And it steers the continuing learning curve through its next gentle bend or demanding fork in the road.
‘After 20 years, we’re still navigating the curve every day, with each turn bringing a chance to be better,’ he concludes.
Technically talented
In the last four years, under his Ursa Technical banner, Shaun Phillpott has handled Base Products, A.T.E.X. and other installations domestically, and in many hot and heavy countries across Africa and further afield. Wherever he goes, he dives into the local culture and food immediately. ‘He doesn’t have a stomach, he has a concrete mixer,’ chuckles Peter Page.
Is there a place he would prefer not to see again? ‘Mogwase, North West,’ he insists. ‘Put politely, it’s the tail end of the tail end of the world. No amenities, no supplies, just a café selling greasy sausages and even greasier chips you wouldn’t feed to your dog.
‘While there, I had to squeeze myself into the inner crawl space of the ink machine. I’m not a small guy and I came out all shades of blue, green and orange. The pigment gets into your skin and under your nails and you can’t wash it off for days.
Eye-opening experiences aside, Shaun values greatly the amazing relationship he has with Base Products, one founded on fairness, ethics and transparency. ‘We play open cards on everything,’ he divulges. ‘If someone offers me work, I immediately send the message to Peter. And if customers doubt my advice, Simone supports my decisions.’
Where is he off to next? Apart from installations lined up in Africa, the Middle East and the UAE, all we can say is … don’t hold back on the dulce de leche, South America!
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