More than just a label

Although labels are critical when delivering and marketing a product and therefore need to have the right text, logos and information, this is not all.

Labels should also be backed by meaningful standards that go beyond the industry norm and basic legal requirements.

Labels should add value to the brand, sector and nation they are produced in, and so benefit not only the label-maker, but the economy as a whole.

Namibian Label Supplies (NLS) in Walvis Bay is a proudly Namibian company owned by Thorsten Goldmann, who believes his business is motivated and dedicated to delivering the very best quality labels and packaging solutions.

While based in Walvis Bay, the company also has a warehouse in Windhoek to better serve customers countrywide.

NSL has a vast product range, from labels to label consumables like ribbons and till rolls in many different sizes as well as TSC label printers.

“Our labels are manufactured in Namibia so we can offer the best prices at the highest quality. We are also authorised distributors for most of our packaging products. The fact that we order straight from the factory overseas, allows us to give customers the best price possible,” Goldmann says.

NLS has been operating since 2006, with its roots in the fishing industry. There was a need in this sector for labels in the manufacturing and traceability of fish products to conform to export regulations, and NSL became the first company to fulfil this need.

“We want to make sure we provide the sector with the very best quality labels and the most competitive prices as well as maintaining the best service level.”

Goldmann says he is grateful that the company was founded with the fishing industry as basis.

“This has enabled us to further grow and also go into another label market. Where previously companies would buy these labels from South Africa, they can now be bought from us. This would not be possible without the loyal and ongoing support of the fishing industry,” he said.

According to Goldmann, this relationship has a “great positive multiplier effect” on all stakeholders. Where other companies are taking a conservative approach, NLS employs more Namibians.

However, there are challenges Goldmann says. “I’ve noticed that, on a consumer and industry level, Namibian products can sometimes be viewed as not being up to standard, or in other words, other commercialised brands are preferred.”

He is of the opinion that this should not be the case.

“Even though we are still developing as a country, we have so much potential and all Namibian companies should be given a fair chance to prove themselves to consumer as well as industry markets. The most practical way we can improve our economy is to support local as far as we can,” he explained, adding that his labels help lift Namibian products to a higher level.

It is for this reason that NLS is passionate about developing long-term relationships with companies that have been doing business in Namibia for many years, as well as with upcoming enthusiastic entrepreneurs with revolutionary products that require the right set of equipment and labels to put them above their competitors’ brand and give them the leading edge in their packaging requirements.