PARTNERSHIP CONTENT
“The virus was an external threat that brought us closer,” explains Anna Ilkovics, global client director for AB InBev. “Our trust only deepened and our collaborative force grew even stronger when it became clear how much we can depend on each other. We have always been there for each other and for our clients.”
A point of pride
To what does the agency owe its impressive staying power – its resilience? The answer probably lies in its flexibility and responsiveness. KCP’s ability to handle any request of any kind, big or small, run- of-the-mill or unusual, is a point of pride and one of the cornerstones of its outstanding reputation. Its unique adaptability allows it to address virtually every client need. KCP knows how to achieve exceptional quality without rigid structures, while maintaining rigorous standards and producing excellent results. As the agency likes to say, “It might sound incredible, but we really can do it all.” Even in today’s tough business environment, the agency is more agile than ever, operating as an international network with three locations – Brussels, Budapest and New York City – from which the company services key clients such as AB InBev, PepsiCo, Lipton and more. KCP has been running its Budapest office as a full-service subsidiary for all regions since 2007, and notes that establishing a presence in eastern Europe has been a game changer.
From an operational standpoint, KCP continues to provide creative design, production design (artwork), pre-media (pre-press), e-commerce and account management services, all in the realm of packaging. But the agency’s ultimate specialisation is pre-media services, where it really shines. Solid investments in colour-management expertise, proofing equipment, hardware and software have always played a major role in its long-term growth strategy. One example is its leading-edge UV technology printer – a brand-new INX CP800 – that prints directly on to cylindrical metal containers, such as beverage cans, delivering perfectly consistent colours in a full range of finishes. Proofs don’t get more accurate than that.
KCP also leverages all the industry standards in terms of colour management, proofing and measurement with its state-of-the-art Roland VS 540i printer/cutter, GMG/Epson proofing system, and complete range of Pantone X Rite spectrometer devices and software.
The business of success
KCP’s value goes well beyond everything it does for its clients. It also has a lot to offer its current and future partners, including an impressive international client portfolio, established work processes, a strong industry track record, and an innovative and collaborative spirit. These could all accelerate the business success of a new partner and give it a much-needed boost, especially in these difficult and unpredictable times. This is the reason why KCP is currently seeking to expand through new partnerships, fusions or friendly acquisitions. “We realised that our ‘stronger together’ philosophy could also apply to our expansion strategy,” says Dumont. “Through partnerships and synergies with like-minded companies, we could all become much greater than the sum of our forces. KCP could also be a lifeline to other packaging design, creation, pre-press and production agencies with complementary activities, especially smaller ones. That would be an exciting way to fast- track our mutual growth in a win-win scenario.” Dumont’s vision of partnering with agencies in other countries could, therefore, be an excellent way for all the partners to expand their reach, pool their resources and create opportunities. In addition to KCP’s teamwork mindset, its ongoing development in other areas, such as sustainability, could be considered an attractive asset to potential new partners. For example, a green committee was set up in order to adapt and implement changes to internal processes and policies with a view to increasing environmental friendliness. As part of these measures, the agency has been gradually switching over to electric cars and transitioning to a digitised, paperless workplace for the past several years. Its efforts also include the re-evaluation of suppliers in order to phase in sustainable companies, and making it work despite the additional expense. And now, with much of the staff working remotely, it means less driving, and lower heating and electricity costs – although the company admits that it was more out of necessity than by choice.
“In the end, the pandemic taught us a lot about our processes and ourselves,” says Ilkovics, reflecting on the past year. “Even though things got rough – and maybe because they did – it showed us how being there for each other can always help us grow together.” ●
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