You may have already spotted them in photos of the Dutch Royal couple during their visit to Kenya in March—the Cargolite boxes. As part of the visit, FlowerWatch showcased concept to the couple, highlighting its advancements in flower packaging. And these cartons go worldwide offering benefits not only to the farms using it, but also the customers who purchase the flowers. The Quarter and Half cartons, for example, are their latest addition to their packaging range enabling less handling offering more attractive options for buyers. "With this concept, farms can pack flowers at the source in precise quantities tailored to the direct customer's needs and ship them seamlessly to their destination with 'one touch,'" explains John Kowarsky, CEO of Cargolite. To support this initiative, flower exporter Afrex will serve as the marketing arm for Cargolite Kenya, focusing on expanding its reach in wholesale markets worldwide.
© FlowerWatchSea freight carton presented to the Dutch royal couple by FlowerWatch
Sea freight carton
Cargolite cartons are made to upgrade the Kenyan cut flowers and have proven to enhances the quality of the Kenyan flowers. The sea freight carton, for example, that was offered by Cargolite and shown to the King and Queen of the Netherlands by FlowerWatch, has been proven to have the best ventilation design amongst all the different cartons being used in Kenya for sea freight. "Furthermore, the design enables the exporter/farm to be very efficient when loading the sea container with these cartons. Both Flower Watch and Cargolite can send temperature data showing the advantages of this carton."
Half and Quarter cartons
Afrex and Cargolite introduce the Quarter and Half cartons to be used by the Kenyan flower farms. "The idea behind the Quarter and Half cartons is to offer a solution to service the direct sales market efficiently", John explains. "It is not only more efficient, it reduces costs, and improves product quality. Suppliers can respond to market demands by offering flowers in smaller units, providing greater flexibility and minimizing waste."
© Cargolite Quarter and halves in master carton.
Benefits for farms
Generic cartons are readily available at JKIA Nairobi airport, he continues. "This ensures a smooth and efficient pickup process for farms. Additionally, farms can collect only the precise quantity needed for a week's packing, allowing for better inventory management and fresher stock."
A range of carton sizes are available, including Quarter and Half cartons, as well as a master carton designed to accommodate a mix of these sizes. "This ensures better protection against rough airport handling. These packing materials will be offered at highly competitive prices to encourage sales and support the industry."
© Cargolite On the left: Regular pallet from Kenya. On the right: Cargolite air pallet from Kenya
Benefits for flower buyers
Customers also benefit from flowers packed directly at the source in Half and Quarter cartons. One is eliminating the need for unpacking at the destination. "When having the flowers packed in these Half or Quarter cartons, wholesalers do not have to open them and can ship them right away to their customers. In this way, they can make use of the many advantages of the Cargolite concept, like minimizing crushed boxes, more uniform cartons, less handling, and therefore a better-quality product. Furthermore, mixed flower assortments from a single farm can be packed in one carton, providing buyers with variety and convenience. This optimized supply chain ensures a seamless process, maintaining the highest standards of quality and reliability for farms and customers alike. On top of that, with the Cargolite packaging concept, the airfreight costs are lower."
© CargoliteQuarter carton
Custom branding
The cartons are supplied with a standard 'Afrex' or 'Cargolite' branding, with future possibilities for custom branding featuring farm or customer logos, subject to a minimum order quantity. "Each week a promotion will be offered to enhance sales. Products in surplus will be offered at attractive prices."
© CargoliteHalf cartons pallet at JKIA
Afrex Kenya
For more than two decades, Afrex 2003 Pty Ltd has been exporting flowers and agricultural products from South Africa to many parts of the world. Several years ago, Afrex set up a facility in Kenya, from which they ship summer flowers and roses from specific farms. They are using the Cargolite concept for quite some time and are so pleased with it that they will be the marketing arm for Cargolite Kenya, directing their efforts to the wholesale markets worldwide.
For more information
Cargolite®
John Kowarsky
Tel.: + 972 52 3282100
Email: johnk@nalto2012.com
Amnon Zamir
Tel.: + 972 52 6383737
Email: amnonz@nalto2012.com
Afrex
Etienne Taitz
Tel.: +27 82 6109078
Email: etienne@afrex2003.com
Martin Kabaka – Cargolite Kenya
Tel.: +254 722309318
Email: kabakam@2003.com
Stuart Burroughs – Cape Town
Tel.: +27664832692
Email: stuart@afrex2003.com
Oscar Biutah - Kenya
Tel.: +254717932052
Email: oscar@afrex2003.com