JULY 2019 GERMINATION.CA 35 MARKETING IS NOT our core business, so I like to work with professionals on that. In our latest marketing campaign, it was suggested that for one of our ads we should use a close-up of yours truly. I think a lot of people thought I’d never agree to that, but I did — instantly. Not only because I’m a little bit vain, but I had three good business reasons to put my mug out there. First of all, I’m very proud of my company. I am proud to represent it, our products and our team. As a busi- ness owner I also know that if you put your name (or in this case your face) on your work, you are most likely going to perform your best. You want to make sure you can proudly show your face when it comes to business relationships — be they with employees, suppliers, your range of products, and after-sale services. Second, we are all human and we like to interact with other humans — the foundation of good communication. My company has been manufacturing seed coaters for more then 50 years and ships them worldwide. Often we have challenges or customizations that need to be solved, SEED TREATMENT EQUIPMENT ITS NOT WHO YOU KNOW — IT’S WHO KNOWS YOU Ketty Nilsson, President, NoroGard ketty@norogard.com • @NoroGardAB • norogard.com and since our clients are from all parts of the world, good communication is essential. In Scandinavia, just like Canada, we often are chal- lenged by freezing weather conditions in early spring. We are used to solving issues caused by the cold, making sure the liquid flows and that the treatment sticks to the seed and not the equipment in a range of conditions. This can only be successful if you have good communication and work with people that feel they can connect with one another. Clients need to know that you are available and engaged. It’s key that you show your face. Third, our company was built on relationships. It´s essential that we have great quality, top-of-the-line equip- ment and good after-sale support. But the most important factor of all — our trust account — was built by people who are recognized. Build an organization where all your co-workers proudly show their faces, and I assure you that you will have a prosperous business — and you’ll be surrounded by great, professional people! STORAGE & HANDLING SECRETS FOR AN EFFICIENT, LONG-LASTING SEED SITE Gerald Unrau, Product Manager for Seed Sites and Conveyors, Meridian Manufacturing gunrau@meridianmfg.com • meridianmfg.com TO ENSURE A customer’s happiness with their seed site — not just on delivery day but for years down the road — it must be built right. It’s essential the teams building the seed site’s components understand all elements of the plan and what standard features and accessories are included — and they must follow that plan through to the very last weld and cleaning. During the manufacturing process, details that influ- ence the quality of the end products are important. For instance, the use of high-quality steel in all materials including accessories is important for durability and clean- ing ease. Precision laser cutting allows for better welding and for all pieces to be put together in a much more permanent and professional manner. Additionally, don’t underestimate the value of a top- notch finishing process. When applicable, sandblasting offers superior product cleaning. A powder coating, which is sprayed and then baked on products, provides a very hard finish. Powder-coated bins last longer and wear better than traditional spray-painted bins. It’s also important to put efficient, high-quality equip- ment that works well with your design into your facility. Team up with companies that provide quality products with little to no downtime. Equipment should be easy to assemble and should operate the way you expect it to. Because the planting season is short, if you don’t have the right product or equipment, you’ll miss out on sales. For example, some conveyors pass through build- ing walls — your equipment should be designed for this and be able to endure harsh environmental conditions if necessary. In addition, when choosing equipment for your site, make sure it is easy to clean so there is no cross-con- tamination between seed types and it provides the fastest transition between products. Buying equipment that’s not quite right in order to save money could cost you in terms of delivering seed on time and moving customers through your facility. Your business and your bottom line will be affected. Ultimately, the seed site must work, and it must work for a long time. Try to look past the dollars and cents. You can be prudent with your money while investing in ideas or products that increase site efficiencies and longevity.