Meet Bart Gijsemans, all-round account manager and packaging expert at Covera Packaging

In this interview, we will talk to Bart Gijsemans about his experience, ambitions and passions within the packaging industry, as well as the challenges he sees for the several sectors in which he operates as account manager.

Bart, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your role at Covera Packaging?

“Before joining Covera Packaging, I gained a lot of sales experience in different sectors such as furniture, industrial air purification, construction, renovation and food. Since 2018, I joined Covera Packaging and work with a lot of dedication in the packaging sector. The best part is that I now combine my skills in sales with a passion for finding suitable packaging solutions for various sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, chemicals, household and more.”

How does Covera Packaging profile itself as a supplier for packaging in these different sectors?

“Covera Packaging is not only a family business, but also a traditional company that has built up a large loyal customer database through its long history. From the beginning, long-term relationships have been built with suppliers/manufacturers. This makes us an ultra-reliable, flexible supplier and allows us to serve very diverse sectors.”

In which sectors are the majority of your customers located?

“That is undoubtedly the food industry at the moment. We supply a lot of jars and lids to small, medium-sized and large family-run companies producing products such as jam, syrup, mustard, sauces and honey. Beyond jars and lids, which we also supply to major companies, our product range also includes buckets, jerrycans, multilayer sauce bottles, bottles, cups, and barrels, available in glass, HDPE, and PET. Some are even available in the sustainable version.”

What are some of the key challenges in food packaging? Can you tell us more about the emerging trends you see in packaging in this sector?

‘Finding the proper packaging in the right material combined with the appropriate closure, so that our customers’ product stands out on shop shelves while ensuring the right shelf life. We have extensive expertise in finding the right packaging for food.”

What are your ambitions and goals within Covera Packaging for the coming years?

“My personal ambitions are twofold. On the one hand, I want to actively contribute to the evolution of our industry towards more eco-conscious practices. This means I will continue to delve into ecological alternatives and give my customers the right advice in this regard. On the other hand, I strive to maintain strong relationships with my customers and achieve further growth. Currently, my focus is on the pharmaceutical and VMS sector, where we offer high-quality products, such as pill jars and syrup bottles, and can guarantee fast delivery times thanks to our close cooperation with major manufacturers.”

Can you tell us about a collaboration with a customer that is particularly special to you?

Spontaneously I think of Metagenics, the Belgian market leader in food supplements. They have been a customer of Covera Packaging since the late 1990s and also one of the first customers I visited at the beginning of my career. Even then I was impressed by their approach, the scale of their production and the way they handle quality control. I am still their point of contact and continue to see the company evolve. A very nice collaboration!”

And finally, which challenges or products in your product range do you personally get most excited about?

‘Those are undoubtedly coloured, printed bottles or unconventional combinations that you can tell beforehand will definitely stand out on shop shelves thanks to the creative aspect. To give an example, I am thinking of the small bottles with salad dressings from Foodmaker. It was very rewarding to work with this family-run company that has proven itself on several occasions in terms of product development in the food world. I am extremely proud that we were able to support their products with our packaging to introduce their delicious salad dressings at Delhaize and make them available to consumers in their own kitchens.’