Mediane specializes further in agro-packaging

In recent years, Mediane has achieved a position as a supplier of, in particular, bags and covers for herbs, lettuce, vegetable and bread packaging. The company now produces about 1.5 billion bags and covers per year and exports to more than 50 countries.

"We have built up a clientele with whom we were able to grow with. We deliver to growers in greenhouse horticulture, especially hydroponic and open field," says Robert van der Laan of Mediane. "We want to be more than ‘just a packaging supplier’. We think as a retailer and grower in order to understand the specific needs and to respond adequately and quickly."

From the existing clientele, they receive a regular inquiry for diverse packaging, other than the bags and the covers. That demand was for flowpack packaging and laminates. That fitted exactly into Mediane's mission. After all, Mediane wants to remain loyal to their current customer base instead of looking for new markets and customers. This loyalty is given preference. Meanwhile, Mediane has made its entry into the flowpack market. Both micro and macro perforation also have been added. The most recent step is the expansion to laser perforation. Robert: "For our existing customers in the agro and horti sector we want to offer a complete package of perforation possibilities. We produce everything ourselves. Everything under one roof."

 

"For us, the market for herb covers and bread bags will always remain our core business," continues Robert van der Laan. With the advent of the new generation of printing machines (high definition) and the various perforation machines, however, several high added-value applications have come within their reach. Thanks to Mediane's current customers, they can grow further and expand.

Clearly, for the various packaging options for fresh products, such as slipcovers, bags and foil on the roll, retailers prefer fast pre-press, high-quality printing quality, fast delivery on call, and BRC certified production, in connection with 'Food Safety'. Robert: "Our customers just want to know where and under what circumstances and with which quality regulations the packaging is produced. This seems also logical to me."

 

As with fresh produce, there is a growing awareness about where something is produced in this world and under what circumstances. If a package first has to go around half the world to reach its destination, it has negative consequences for the carbon footprint. A full focus on locally cultivated products and the consequent import of the packaging from ‘A Far Away Land’ is clearly contradictory. Here we have a huge advantage on products that are imported from far away outside the EU, such as China, Vietnam or Turkey. If a date is planned for the introduction of a new packaging and/or approval of the printing machine or an audit, then by now it is well-known that Mediane can comply."

 

Sustainable cultivation also means sustainable marketing and packaging. Then packaging suppliers must be selected carefully. Therefore, you rarely will encounter packaging materials that originate from outside the EU. The market for fresh produce is dynamic and demanding. As a packaging supplier, you must be able to respond quickly to changing situations and requirements from retail. All raw materials used by Mediane are from the EU.

Soon, a Nordmeccania laminating machine will be installed. This machine can do a lot; solvent-free, solvent-based but also cold-seal. The expectations for 2018 are high. In the fourth quarter, Mediane will produce 'pots' in which they will process their own residual products. This seems like a strange combination but it was well thought-out. This product will also be sold within our existing clientele. This is another example of sustainable production. Mediane begins small-scale and with a simple 13cm pot.

 

Mediane has been a joint venture between Mediane and Efekt spo zoo for more than 10 years. There is a sales office in Richmond USA.