Adcomm's first two issues Adcomm August 2013 Relaunch issue | Page 32

Branding Kleen-Tex Keep looking... Down Floor space is under-utilised! So is counter space. Kleen-Tex South Africa is confident that with its market offering marketers and advertisers now have unexplored options when rolling out campaigns. laundrable promotional counter and floor mats were introduced to South Africa. “Laundrable means re-useable and therefore ideal for promotional purposes,” says Michelle. She adds that no other company in the country has the know-how or technology to produce laundrable mats. “To achieve this we use high density polyester which is vulcanized onto nitrile rubber backing.” The size of the nitrile rubber backing varies depending on the product. Spectacular exhibition flooring. Full-colour photo quality printed nylon on 1m wide strips for easy transport and installation. A Wayfarer PVC looped matting with open back suitable for outdoor use in a well, or loos laid. PVC painted design is air brushed to wear surface. Why? Some of my memories from eons ago are of my mother berating me for looking at the ground when commuting by Shanks Pony. “Stop staring at your feet”; “Look-up”; “Watch where you’re going”, and many more. However, having spent some time with Michelle Macfarlane, National Sales and Marketing Manager of Kleen-Tex South Africa, it appears that ‘looking down’ may soon be the in thing – as far as creativity in promotional campaigns is concerned. How? Floor and counter promotional mat products are the solutions, according to Michelle. Hang on a sec – promotional mats? ‘Been there, done that!’; or ‘those Sublimation printed on non-woven polyester things on bar counters!’; or on a nitrile rubber backing. Suitable for branding and advertising on bowling greens. ‘you want people to walk on it?’ At first I thought she was nuts too, but now having a clearer understanding of her rationale, it makes sense – sort of. The trick is to look down! A Wayfarer PVC looped matting with open back suitable for outdoor use in a well, or loos laid. PVC painted design is air brushed to wear surface. What? The company’s parent, Georgian-based Kleen-Tex International (established in 1967), set the trend in 1971 when it invented the first washable rubber-backed mat. Following the introduction of graphic inlay mats was jet printed mats giving more scope for design and print. It can also be produced up to 20m in length. Several other products followed and in 2010 the first 32 Marketers use “Essentially,” Michelle points out, “we’re offering marketers the opportunity to utilise all available space and add a creative twist when it comes to exhibitions and promotions.” Being a bit facetious, she adds: “they need to think from the bottom of the box, not just outside it.” She says that Kleen-Tex has concepts and solutions that will enable marketers to build their entire campaign, adverts included, around the idea of floor and counter mats. Customer orientated The company claims to be Putting Brands on the Bar counter; Photo quality a customerprint on polyester wear surface on nitrile rubber orientated one, backing. borne out by three of the company’s core focuses. R&D, short turn-around times, and customer centricity and service. “Our MD Guy Foulds is our strength when it comes to R&D,” Michelle says, “and we realise we are constantly evolving in order to retain our forefront position in the industry.” The company boasts a turn-around time of 15 days or less – from order to delivery. “Far faster than any overseas competitor.” Michelle says that the third important factor contributing to their success is an elaborate focus on customer service. “All our