If there is one word which describes the essence of our company it is partnership It applies to our organisation and our relations with clients and suppliers. When we created the company in 1990, no one shareholder had the deciding vote. We deliberately chose it that way. Our vision, our hopes and our ethics are the result of a reasoned consensus. Our business - developing Private Label Brands - is pure partnership from beginning to end. Working together with key retailers and long term supply partners, we create successful private label brands. All over Europe. Uniting different, philosophies, cultures, market structures and languages. For our mutual benefit. If there is another word we are passionate about, it is in independant. We belong to no factory or retailer; we seek the best independent solutions for all the partners, for each project, wherever it can be found. And of course we like the word - success ! Brands ! Paradoxically - for a company specialising in Private Label products - our most central belief is in the value of brands and our respect for them. We believe that a strong Private Label Brand is a valuable corporate asset. It will enhance shareholder value and customer loyalty . It will produce above average growth and profits. Commitment to a clear, coordinated Private Label strategy is a major - and very worthwhile - decision. And for the managers that must implement that strategy, there is nothing more important than the product - understanding it and ensuring that quality, price and product range, live up to the expectations of its final customers - the customer - and pay tribute to the corporate image. Which, together, define our mission Increase our partners' private label brand market share OUR APPROACH Full service Stockholding. Deliveries. Sales forecasting. Production-planning. Using computerised models and modern communications tools to heighten our efficiency and minimise administrative cost for all parties, we master the supply chain to ensure low-cost, timely delivery and efficient stock management Our specialised teams in quality, product development, technical management, packaging-creation, logistics and event coordination provide complete multi-lingual support in all areas of product management Multi-category Our multi-category approach brings additional efficacy to buyers and their teams. Building trust through teamwork, we spread retailer experience across all categories of the retailers brand bringing substantial logistics savings. Category management We independently council retail customers in their choices of optimal Private Label ranges and, if required, brand offerings, and assist in implementation at all levels. Value for Money We supply consistent-quality products at competitive prices Customer Services We are a small company. We are less than 25 people. To be cost effective, team members must not only bring a high level of specialist professional skills but must be willing to contribute to the success of the whole. Attitude, Skills, Spirit and Commitment are what we seek in our associates. Teams form to best tackle the tasks and projects in hand. Your specialised colleagues will always have a designated specialist to answer their questions and you will have project leader to interface with your project coordinator. We organise our work into two broad areas - Customer Services and Operations - Customer Services - New business development - Quality, Technical and Product development - Promotions and event Management - Packaging development - Marketing and product support - Supply partnership development Operations - Logistics and order processing - Computing - Accounting - Legal and support services - Supply Chain and stock Management Partner Network In addition to our own office in the United Kingdom and our associate company, Private Brands in Greece, Kapa has carefully developed a network of full service distribution partners covering Spain, Portugal and Italy and is constantly seeking to establish privileged-partner relationships with other like-minded companies, or to open its own business, wherever the need or the opportunity arises. Retailers Kapa already works with all the major grocery retail brands in France and their European affiliates and with retailers in the Benelux countries, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom. Our contacts also cover drugstores and specialist retailers in different countries. For further details please consult our 'Contact Us' web page. Working with our chosen supply and retailer partners we use our joint experience to create products which are agreeable to use, effective, practical and economic. This is not an ordinary buyer - seller relationship. Working together we build product universes in which the consumer can re-discover the pleasure of buying. Our Objective: develop your client brand loyalty. The result: clients who return again and again to your stores with pleasure and enthusiasm. Personal care Baby Household Power Health Average annual sales growth 1997-2001 +22% Founded 1990 Paid up capital 1.300 K€ Profits after taxes 2001 397 K€ Sales 28.353 K€ Shareholder net worth 2001 1.830 K€ Net working capital 2001 1.610 K€ Working capital ratio 1.25 Employees 21 Q. What products does Kapa sell? A. Because we are offering a unique approach to Private Label Brand development we do not keep a traditional 'catalogue' of products that we can 'sell' you. The Our Products <6_Our_Products_2.htm> web-page gives you a better idea of the universes where we have already proposed successful solutions. Q. What advantage does working with Kapa bring a customer? A. We are independent, efficient and effective. We do not manufacture anything. Our analysis is objective and always market based. We work as an extension of your team to create the right solutions to meet customer expectations and anticipate market developments together. Q. How much does Kapa Cost? A. Kapa buys and sells. We therefore make a gross margin from which we pay for bought-in services and for overhead. The remainder is Net profit - historically 2 to 3% of sales. Q. What services does Kapa offer? A. We maximise suppliers' productivity gains and work to meet the customer's exact needs and taste for risk. We will not compromise on quality of product or service reliability. Our Approach details our service capabilities. Q. Can Kapa bring any cost benefits? A. As we hold stock and deliver most of the large European retailers, our logistic costs are competitive. By grouping different clients' purchase-needs and fitting in with suppliers production cycles, we achieve competitive product purchase prices while maintaining 100% customer service levels. Q. What does Kapa look for in a new supplier? A. You will be reliable and efficient. You will be active in a category having potential to achieve sales of at least 10M€ in the next 5 years. You will be very product minded. You have and will invest constantly to maintain technological competitiveness. You will be prepared to work on a mutually exclusive basis. Q. What can a supplier expect when they start working together with Kapa? A. Transparency, clarity, the ability to anticipate and commitment. But expect a long development period. We must be convinced that you are the best partner for us. We will audit your facilities ; analyse your business plan and your capacity to invest and grow, and measure your commitment to, and focus on, your business. If we decide to work with you we will integrate with your R&D and marketing teams to keep a supply of new product ideas and innovations in the pipelines. Q. Who owns shares in Kapa Reynolds A. Our company is private and independent - which allows us to focus on long-term goals, not short term profits. More than 90% of the shares are owned by working associates. That means, if you know Kapa, you have already met the owners ! Q. How many people work for the company. A. Today we are about 25 people divided between our head office in France, our branch in the UK and our 20% affiliate 'Private Brands, based in Athens.