(4 min read)
At Felins, our core values are the foundation of our success, guiding every decision we make and every action we take. One of these core values, “Aim Forward,” is particularly close to our hearts as it embodies our commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, and excellence both personally and as a team. Here are four ways we actively uphold this core value at Felins, along with some suggestions on how you can implement it as well.
The Spirit of Innovation
“Aim Forward” reflects our unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the packaging industry. Innovation is not just a buzzword for us; it’s a way of life. From our early days of pioneering tying technologies to our current cutting-edge end-of-line packaging solutions, we strive to stay ahead of the curve and deliver products that meet and exceed our customers’ ever-changing expectations.
Example: We’ve transformed banding technology, initially created for bundling printed booklets and flyers, into a sophisticated method for labeling food containers with challenging shapes, utilizing tension without the need for adhesives. Transforming a product line not only highlights ingenuity, but also an ability to adapt existing technologies to meet new market demands. Brainstorm with your team: can your products be adapted to work in a different industry than it was originally intended? Is there a target audience that you’ve previously overlooked? Similarly, we’ve taken our tying technology, once prominently used to unitize products such as laundry, produce or flowers, and introduced it to the rotisserie chicken market to automatically truss rotisserie chickens with food-grade elastic, demonstrating a flexibility and commitment to diverse industry applications.
One of our favorite examples of innovation is the story of the “Stanley” insulated thermos. The company reinvented themselves by shifting to a different target audience and adapting the cup to new colors and new beverages! Their sales grew 927% from $73M to $750M!
Continuous Improvement (CI): A Never-Ending Journey
There is always room for improvement at every company. The principle of continuous improvement is embedded in our daily activities. Whether it’s refining our manufacturing processes, enhancing the quality of our products, or improving customer service, we are committed to making incremental changes that lead to significant advancements over time.
Example: You can take your customer service to the next level with programs that help customers beyond a regular transaction. We go above and beyond to help our clients manage their inventory, so they never run out of the material they need for production. By providing proactive solutions and support, we ensure that our clients can maintain seamless operations without disruptions.
A second notable example is our annual physical inventory process. We have consistently reduced the completion time from over a week to less than two days, achieving an impressive variance of only 0.27%—significantly lower than the industry standard of 1-3%.
As far as professional growth and development, we foster a culture where feedback is actively sought out and highly valued, and where learning is a constant pursuit. This mindset ensures that our culture is always moving towards greater efficiency, effectiveness, and excellence. Encourage your team to seek opportunities for feedback as well. Improving only 1% a day will result in exponential growth over the course of a year!
Personal and Team Excellence
While innovation and improvement are critical, the human element is equally important. “Aim Forward” emphasizes a work culture of personal and team excellence. We believe that when individuals are empowered to excel, the entire team benefits. This involves providing ongoing training, fostering a supportive work environment, and recognizing and celebrating achievements.
We encourage personal development in numerous ways, including tuition reimbursement, professional development/coaching groups, industry education classes, maintaining professional certifications, and more. Our collective commitment to excellence drives us to deliver outstanding results for our customers and stakeholders. By nurturing talent and encouraging collaboration, you can ensure that your team is equipped to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Removing Barriers to Entry
We work hard to remove barriers to entry for clients in the various technologies that we provide. If cost is an issue, we offer demo equipment, rentals, leases, and a variety of different types of financing. This flexibility allows more businesses to access our innovative solutions and benefit from our expertise even if their budget is tight.
Identify friction for your clients. What are some ways you can provide flexible options so that your clients can get your solutions or products without barriers?
Looking to the Future
As we continue to “Aim Forward,” we remain dedicated to our mission of creating innovative and sustainable packaging solutions. The future holds exciting possibilities, and we are poised to take advantage of new opportunities and navigate challenges with confidence and agility.
We invite you to join us on this journey. Whether you are a customer, partner, or team member, your role in our shared success is invaluable. Together, let’s embrace the spirit of innovation, commit to continuous improvement, and strive for excellence in all that we do.
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This blog is part 5 of 6 in our blog series: “At the Core of Our Values” – In this six-part exploration, we delve into the heart of organizational excellence, offering insights and practical wisdom for those eager to elevate their businesses. Whether you’re aiming to refine your company’s culture, boost employee morale, optimize processes, or cultivate a more resilient team, stay tuned as we share what’s worked for our company and our core compass. Follow us on our social media channels for upcoming chapters in this series!
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BEN VLIEGER
Ben Vlieger is the Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at Felins with over 15 years of experience in the packaging industry. He specializes in process improvement and engineering, helping clients optimize their packaging operations by identifying pain points and connecting them with the right experts for tailored solutions. Ben is dedicated to staying at the forefront of industry trends and is passionate about sustainable packaging. Beyond his work at Felins, he actively contributes to industry groups like PMMI and MHI. Outside the office, Ben enjoys reading, golfing, and outdoor activities like hunting and fishing, all of which reflect his problem-solving approach in his professional life.