How important is sustainability for your product and service ethos?

Nalan: Our products are an important item in the housekeeping department, and are used by hotel guests on a daily basis. Therefore, we have to make sure they retain their softness, colour and quality throughout their lifetime. We have implemented green policies and procedures relating to waste management, recycling and reuse in the production stage. The chemicals used are treated with great care and, if possible, bio-based products are used. By using quality materials and crafty workmanship, we aim to increase the life of our products, which are subject to continuous washing, use, and wear and tear. In that respect, we believe sustainability is at the core of our business.

Khalid: As Europe’s largest private forest owner, SCA places considerable emphasis on sustainable forest management. Our forests absorb 2.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually — more than what’s discharged from SCA’s total production. This could be seen in the many awards and rankings the company has achieved (we are included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index). We are also listed on the FTSE4Good global sustainability index since 2001 and were awarded the highest rating in its industry.

Khuram: For Gulf Asian, sustainability is a top priority; as aforementioned we believe in developing a product which is sustainable and reflects our commitment of service with quality. That’s the reason we look into the minute details from the yarn we use to the finished product.

Robert: Being one of the first manufacturers of natural, eco-friendly cosmetics for the hotel industry it only makes sense to have a sustainable approach to our operations. Our ‘Green Collection’ range offers environmentally friendly cosmetic products for example, with fair traded ingredients or certified organic ingredients. Our commitment to sustainability and eco-conscious operations has led to further related activities. In 2008, we established our own sustainability philosophy as the foundation for its modus operandi in the areas of ecology, economics, employees and society. We are providing transparency for all company processes, which gives hotel clients — in particular those who demand eco-friendly development and manufacturing practices from their suppliers — an easy insight. Since 2012, we publish our substantial progress in our environmental report. In 2013, we were certified by ‘Green Globe’. And earlier this year we were awarded the ISO 14001:2015.

Rachael: There is always a demand for sustainable products and this is certainly very true at present. Budget of course is still a large constraint here; however, we work together to find a solution that works for the hotelier’s needs.

How do you determine the correct balance between price and quality with your products?

Nalan: Since our company focuses on quality and long-term relationships, pricing our products may be the toughest thing to do. We consider certain factors, including pinpointing our customers, tracking how much competitors are charging, and understanding the relationship between quality and price. We try to continually strengthen our financial resources and manufacturing practices to keep our costs low, prices competitive without resorting to inferior materials and workmanship.

Pinar: As a manufacturer, we have our own “integrated washing line” that helps us offer high potential and quality raw material for Down & Feather. And having this up our arsenal enables us to present qualified bedding products at competitive prices.

Khalid: Our value offerings balance between cost and performance, and we have a wide assortment of products that cover different market segments. When it comes to hand-wiping paper, for example, we have three tiers of quality: universal, advanced and premium. Based on the value each product offers, we set the right price to suit that market level. However, our long experience in the industry and our patented paper technologies enable us to offer high-quality products for reasonable prices to begin with.

Khuram: We believe in quality, and our recognition during the past 28 years is because of quality and service. We understand that price is an important factor but at the end of the day it’s quality which retains your position in the market rather than offering sub-standard products at low prices.

Robert: Through the merger with Ada our product portfolio has expanded greatly so that we are able to supply to various types of hotels who have different requirements. There are many variations of hotel cosmetics. There are variances in packaging types as well as in cosmetics where one can purchase high quality formulations or highly refined and multilevel cosmetic creations which improve product experience and results on the skin. The price difference in sourcing and manufacturing of these products of course vary and affect the prices.

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