Aluminium products designer Metal Graphics completes various supply contracts

Aluminium products designer Metal Graphics has supplied aluminium-based products to various advertising, architectural, interior and product design companies.

Products have been diverse and interesting, from an aluminium case housing a water bottle and the water cleaning solutions product launched by construction and engineering group Aveng to the concept- driven calendar stands made for alcohol manufacuturer Lovoka’s recent countrywide gift product launch.

“Other products have included the packaging for the new South African Breweries Black Label bottle and the menu book for national restaurant chain Keg,” says Metal Graphics CEO Clare Griffin.

She adds that the company has also designed various identity and presentation products, display stands and signage items, as well as storage and packaging solutions for the office.

“We are very fortunate to be at the front end of many new product launches or advertising campaigns, which is an exciting time because we are often involved in the design and creative process,” states Griffin.

She explains that the company has built good relationships with clients and that many of them have been part of Metal Graphics’ clientele for over a decade.

Griffin adds that the company prefers to work with aluminium because it is light and flexible.

“What you can do with aluminium you can’t always do with other materials. “It is far more user friendly, lightweight and not as dense as other metals, which makes it more malleable and therefore easier to work with, finish and brand.

“Its properties are open to change and it is not as expensive, compared with other metals. “One pays for metal by weight and aluminium weighs less than most other metals. “Aluminium also has a reputation for being extremely durable and lasting far longer than many other materials currently on the market,” she notes.

Griffin explains that aluminium weathers better owing to its anticorrosive and hygiene properties. It does not rust or tarnish in the same way as other metals do.

“It is robust and does not oxidise. “We also powder-coat all our aluminium products, which makes them last even longer,” she says.

Aluminium is an environment-friendly material for various reasons. “It is made from one of the most abundant resources found on earth. “It is extremely light, therefore reducing the energy required to transport and move it. It is 100% recyclable and is long lasting,” Griffin explains.

The company also plans to incorporate other environment-friendly materials, such as bamboo and Xanita corrugated fibre board into its range of materials.

“Xanita board and bamboo are also lightweight and environment friendly and we would like to start using them in conjunction with our aluminium range owing to their synergy and the similarities they share with aluminium. “This will add further value to our range for our customers’ benefit.”

All Metal Graphics’ work is done in-house and the company trains its staff to work specifically with aluminium. “Many of our staff are multiskilled and have a high level of skill when it comes to working with aluminium, says Griffin.

She claims that Metal Graphics is one of only a handful of South African companies that can boast this, another being the South African Mint, which specialises in the art of embossing metal.

Further, she states that the company sees potential for growth in the export market.

“We have been contacted by clients in Australia, Dubai, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and Swaziland and have worked on various projects for clients in those countries. “This may be indicative of a niche product range being potentially ready for global growth,” she concludes.