| 31 T T Russell Fredric Label factory looks to the future The company operates from a state-of-the-art factory in Hauraki District Council’s industrial park in Kerepehi. Saito Labels REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Saito Labels & Tags has taken its commitment to end-to-end sustainability to the next level, especially since its new factory was completed two years ago. The family-owned company manufactures working labels and tags for businesses operating over a wide range of sectors, such as manufacturing, processing, retail/wholesale, transport, logistics, cool storage and warehousing. Chief executive Sarah Spencer describes working labels as the steel-capped boots of the printing industry; “not pretty, but functional and critical”. “We don’t specialise in decorative labels, so for us the working labels and all of our processes are designed around producing those at the most cost-effective and consistent format that we can.” While blank white labels may seem a simple product, there are numerous complexities involved, due to their potentially being subject to various degrees of heat, cold, moisture and wear and tear. Some may need to adhere without exception, while others must be easily peeled off. In other cases, there are small changes that can be made that deliver immediate bankable savings, Sarah says. Saito’s solution-focused approach resonates with customers looking for the most cost-effective products that are fit for purpose and manufactured by a supplier with skin in the game when it comes to true sustainability, she says. The company operates from a state-ofthe-art factory in Hauraki District Council’s industrial park in Kerepehi. In building the innovative new factory, considerable thought was given to how the business would operate into the future, including the workflow, the environmental impact and how it could address by-product waste. “Nothing we do is knee-jerk, so every decision including where our building is sited, how it was constructed, the type of work that we do, the type of expertise that we have, are all well-considered.” The factory walls were constructed with Saveboard, a New Zealand-developed low-carbon material made from upcycled packaging, while the glazing comprises an optical composite that is 30% clearer, one third lighter, and 40 times stronger than glass, while providing superior thermal and acoustic properties. The factory is solar-powered and features a pure air system that treats for pathogens, ensuring a safe and clean environment, which is especially important for products supplied to the healthcare and food sectors, and rainwater is harvested for use in its processes. Saito has collaborated with the best of New Zealand’s environmental and waste redirection innovators to ensure it is leading the way in sustainability, with vermicomposting with worms a part of this process and it is actively encouraging its clients to commit to the same approach. “The point of that is it’s a bigger picture for us than just what labels can we make. It’s a very real thing that we are doing and it’s live and it’s evolving. Saito continuously challenges the notion that sustainable practices imply higher costs. Every day and through innovative solutions and an open dialogue with our clients we have repeatedly demonstrated that sustainability can be synonymous with cost efficiency.” 0508 741 741 | 07 868 8825 www.comfortgroup.co.nz 731 Queen Street, Thames, New Zealand Ask us about your Air Conditioning and Ventilation needs for your commercial building or New Build We are pleased to be a partner with Saito to support their air conditioning and ventilation needs
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