Anoeska Kluin - Sales Manager Inside Sales, DaklaPack Europe B.V.
Ninety percent chance you have something from them in your home, without ever having heard of them. DaklaPack in Lelystad is the market leader in innovative and sustainable packaging or shipping solutions, and also offers various filling services, kitting, and fulfillment solutions. This makes them unique in Europe.
Anoeska Kluin - Sales Manager Inside Sales
Coffee beans from a luxury brand, freeze-dried meals in stylish packaging, reusable festival earplugs in a smart grip bag, and frozen cocktail ice pops in stick packs. Thinking outside the box and creating unique solutions is a daily routine for Sales Manager Inside Sales Anoeska Kluin and her 400 colleagues in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium, England, Portugal, South Africa, China, and the United States.
Upon entering, you see products from major brands that every consumer in the Netherlands knows, but does everyone know that DaklaPack is behind the packaging?
“Often not. We are the silent force behind many big names, including popular cosmetics brands and successful sports nutrition, as well as paint powders, kits for population studies, packaging for food products, and refills for detergents. The supermarket is full of products that I or a colleague have worked on.”
You produce items for food, non-food, cosmetics, and medical. That's quite broad.
“Indeed. We always say; we have a solution or we come up with one. That's what we aim for! And it's going well, as we are growing fast.”
Isn't it sometimes challenging as a sales professional, having to know a lot about all packaging options?
“That's true, but the variety also makes it interesting. Just like collaborating with colleagues to offer the customer the best packaging solution. I can fully immerse myself in the overall picture for the customer. A product is not only in a laminated package, but often also in a box in which it is shipped or sold. To get a good idea of what the customer does, I go out with the account manager. In the end, we present a handsample of a printed package to convince the customer of what we can do.”
Can you give an example of a customer case where you think in terms of possibilities?
“The frozen cocktails from 24 ICE. Due to the low freezing point of alcohol and the complexity of selling frozen products, the startup faced a major challenge. Within six months of our first meeting, a completely new packaging concept was in place, and a custom-made stickpack machine was ready. The ice creams are a huge success. It's amazing that I contributed to that.”
Have you also developed the filling machine?
“Correct. A major investment, but our main goal is to be comprehensive in our service to customers. It can happen very spontaneously. If something was thought of yesterday, it can be realized next week. In that sense, there is an entrepreneurial mindset. A good idea is just implemented. That speed makes it nice to work.”
Everyone encounters issues in their work. What are those for you?
“Sustainability. Daily, customers ask me how their packaging can be more sustainable. Take a plastic stand-up pouch for soaps, gels, or food products that currently consists of four layers of plastic. How do we create a sustainable packaging for that? We work closely with our sustainability manager and colleagues, even in other countries, to develop new innovative green solutions. This is how we assist customers in achieving their sustainability goals.”
By now, you have been here for seven years. How would you describe the atmosphere?
“For me, it feels like family, despite the many nationalities. Everyone is willing to help each other and brainstorm about the best solutions. DaklaPack is an open, entrepreneurial, supportive organization with a high level of customer service. You can feel the positive energy.”
What are you most proud of?
“I am proud of where I am now. DaklaPack has given me opportunities since my internship. I have grown tremendously, both in my role and as a person. The trust they placed in me has boosted my self-confidence. I am super proud to be in this position now. Of course, I have worked very hard for it, but the company really empowers its employees. If you want something, speak up and together make a plan to achieve it.”
On a different note... Is it true that there is a company bar?
“You heard right, that's where we have our weekly drinks and celebrate our successes. In October, we have a big Oktoberfest with a tent and food trucks. Throughout the year, there are often dinners, and on Wednesdays, there's a boot camp. All of this contributes to a strong sense of unity within the company.”
Ready to take that next step? Then get in touch with us.
Photo: DaklaPack
[Published: July 2024]
