comment On the Board BEN GRUNWERG, purchasing and exports at I Grunwerg Ltd in Sheffield
What is a typical day like for you? I am up at 7 for a run up Parliament Hill. I will generally call and speak to suppliers about little things first thing before cycling into work. I am mainly office based these days and split my time between London and Sheffield but have learnt to stick my head into everyone’s office to say hello. In the evenings I will either be at the gym or doing some charity work.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Employing graduates, giving people a chance and watching them develop. Working with my colleagues and getting new products to market. I got the opportunity last year to move our business out of our crumbling city centre buildings to state of the art facilities in the countryside. In the middle of it all my dad decided on the cuff to take out a lease on a large shop unit in Fitzrovia with an instruction to open a flag ship store and make it work! Santoku has the largest collection of Japanese knives available to buy in the country.
What is your career background? I joined I Grunwerg Ltd from university, working first as an export sales rep. I now mostly work with our design team and manufacturers as well as looking after our consumer sales channels. I have had some internships but like my father, I have never had a ‘proper job’.
Tell us about the company you work for I work for I Grunwerg Ltd, a family business best known for sales of kitchen knives and cutlery. We distribute the Global brand amongst other products. Based in Sheffield we supply most of the UK’s stores and catering wholesalers, which we have been doing for over 75 years.
What is the most challenging part of your job? Running a business is hard work. Balancing y time between different people and projects whilst keeping things moving forward is a challenge and our business has had so much upheaval in the last few years. We have such a diverse product range and such a diverse customer base. I need to know everything about the business, from warehouse racking load limits to IP law. As long as I have time to keep creating new products, I am happy.
What new products have impressed you in the industry?
Chillis for turning an ordinary vacuum flask into a desirable fashion object and Le Creuset for their metamorphosis into a multi-channel retailer. I have a great respect for many of the new suppliers creating all manner of weird
Katie Hall joins I Grunwerg Ltd as marketing assistant
I am thrilled to have joined the Grunwerg marketing department; I can definitely say that they have made me feel part of the family right away! My marketing background consists of the agency side, and more recently, an in- house marketing role for a hospitality tableware company. “After a very unprecedented year, it is fantastic to join such a successful, traditional, family-run company. Grunwerg has already provided me with excellent training from all departments, giving me a comprehensive understanding of the whole business.
November/December 2020
Including training from directors David and Ben Grunwerg, who took time out their busy schedule to welcome me and run through the company’s future development plans.” Grunwerg has a dedicated digital marketing manager Kim Bailey who looks after the communications for our various knife ranges; therefore, my role will consist of managing the marketing for our hospitality ranges and the communications with our trade customers. We are planning a range of innovative
product development and marketing projects over the next few years, which I cannot wait to
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get stuck in to. We are also currently planning our next trade show; The International Consumer Goods Show, which will (hopefully) take place as a physical event in Frankfurt from the 17th to the 20th of April 2021. This will allow us to showcase any new products and will give me a chance to meet our customers and stakeholders in person!
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gizmos, creating a buzz online and selling to consumers.
What retailers have impressed you in the industry? Corona will accelerate existing retailer trends, but there will rise a new generation of retailers swollen by sales over lockdown, ecommerce savvy, unburdened by debt and fast moving. We have independent retailers with strong websites; Dawsons, Harts and Kitchen Knives. I have to say Amazon, their range, service, and pricing is still market leading. My favourite store to browse will always be Selfridges.
What challenges are suppliers facing? We are seeing ever more warning signs that the power balance between the West and China is shifting. Increasing factory demands; longer production times, higher production volumes, increasing costs. Tax rises, the weakening of the pound and inflation after Corona are inevitable. Many suppliers are facing existential crisis; “Do we sell direct? Do we diversify? Do we continue to exhibit at trade shows? Do we keep reps on the road? How do we go green? Do we supply customers without credit cover?”
What is the biggest change you’ve seen? When I joined the industry, it was full of real characters, who moved and lead the industry. Buyers knew the products well and had the confidence and authority to make decisions. It seems to have all been replaced by algorithms, data and committees. Housewares itself has become a lot more fashionable.
What advice would you give someone starting out in this industry? The digital world gives people more opportunity than ever to start their own company; to raise capital, reach consumers, and push sales to new audiences and markets. It has never been easier; you can run a business from your bedroom.
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