A highly successful west coast manufacturer of high-end home and office décor was in the process of expanding its product lines when it ran into a problem. They needed to buy cork in volume on rolls at certain widths and knew the value of diversity in their supply chain. So, they started the product search.
Referral by the Competition
Like many B2B relationships and purchases, it all began with a Google search. When search terms like “1/16th inch rolled cork” and “1/16th inch PSA-backed cork” didn’t provide the desired results, it was time for the buyer to hit the phone.
After calling several companies and talking to their sales staff, one person finally said, “you know for what you need – you need to call Frank Lowe”.
Even the competition recognizes Frank Lowe’s commitment to helping clients explore the world of cork offerings, pursue the ideal solution, then provide the cork that enables manufacturers to create amazing products.
Exploring the Options
Senior Vice President of Sales at Frank Lowe, Randy Cohen listened carefully to the customer's needs and then began to help them explore their options. The grain on the cork had to be consistent to maintain the high-end aesthetic of the product.
That’s no problem with Frank Lowe. As the largest importer of Portuguese cork to the US, quality is never an issue.
The cork needed to be purchased in bulk and it needed a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing.
The ideal solution became apparent. A roll of cork 54” wide and slit at the 36” mark was perfect. It fit the needs of the new product line and left an additional 18” of cork that could be die-cut in-house for other products.
Pursuing Perfection
Once the size issue was resolved, Frank Lowe’s in-depth knowledge of the adhesives industry came into play.
Depending on the application, there are many times that a generic adhesive will perform to the same standard as the branded option. Frank Lowe knows adhesives as well as cork. So, after a few samples, a decision was made that benefited the manufacturer and Frank Lowe.
Two Years Later – A Strong Relationship
After buying from Frank Lowe for 2 years, it’s clear this is a great relationship. When asked “what’s the best thing about working with Frank Lowe”, the manufacturer responds without hesitation, “their knowledge”.
“Frank Lowe knows their products so well they can steer you in a direction you might not know, and it benefits us both.” Today, for this manufacturer, the relationship is as valuable as the price point.
“Randy just reaches out every once in a while, just to check in on us.”
This manufacturer continues to grow and expand, confident that Frank Lowe is there to help them explore, pursue, and create new products.
If you need to diversify your supply chain, give Frank Lowe a try. A trial order may just be the start of a long-lasting relationship.
