53 2025 - number 4 - promzvak.nl 641042 - 550 ml 641026 - 500 ml 641039 - 600 ml 641037 - 500 ml 641000 641005 641047 - 700 ml CHECK OUT PREMO.NL FOR ALL SUBLIMATION PRODUCTS 640004 from from € 3,20 € 1,64 from € 4,53from € 5,88 from € 5,05 from € 3,18 from € 1,89 from € 2,46 PRICES ARE INCLUDED SUBLIMATION / SETUP € 22,- DOUBLE WALL DOUBLE WALL DOUBLE WALL SINGLE WALL DOUBLE WALL Ask your promotional gifts dealer about the conditions 8 But solar panels are just the beginning. In the distribution hall, orders are increasingly picked and shipped fully automatically — not to replace people, but to work faster, with fewer errors, and with better energy efficiency. The newest expansion will even be a “no-touch zone”: orders will leave the warehouse without a single human hand involved. “We’re starting with the fastest-moving items,” the warehouse manager explains. “That’s where the volume is, so that’s where the biggest efficiency gains are. We’ll begin testing in September.” The tests focus on automated order picking. Malfini has already been using Autostore for a while, and ‘HAI Pick’ recently as well. Once the system is fully up and running, this warehouse will serve as a model for smaller hubs that will be rolled out across Europe in the coming years. Smart software, fast service It may sound futuristic, but at Malfini, it’s all just logical. Intelligent software manages the entire process — from incoming order to packaged box. Labels, route planning, even weight and dimensions are automatically calculated and verified. “We used to have an error margin of about 2%,” says Chovanec. “Now it’s down to 0.2%. That’s better for the customer — and better for us as well. Returns cost time, money, and have an environmental impact.” The systems in Ostrava run 24/7. Everything is scalable, so seasonal peaks — or sudden trend waves — can be handled without stress. And all of it is managed by just about 200 people on site. “We’ve grown, but we’ve maintained control. Everyone knows what they’re doing — and why.” Textiles with future But what about the textiles themselves? Because logistics is one thing — but where and how are those millions of shirts and sweaters actually made? “In Asia, especially in Bangladesh,” Chovanec says honestly. “But on our terms. We have our own branches in Beijing and Dhaka and we oversee everything ourselves. And also in Asia, we’ve chosen to work with partners willing to invest in both quality and ethical practices. In return, we invest too. For example, we have been co-financing the Čalantika educational center for a long time in Bangladesh near the factories we work with. That way it’s a win-win for everyone involved.” Still, there’s movement on that front too. Malfini is considering shifting some production closer to home. Not because “Made in Europe” sounds better, but because the world is changing. Transport not only burdens the environment but is becoming more expensive, fast delivery is increasingly important, and those who control the entire production process can really make decisions — about fabrics, labour conditions, and resource usage. Change, one step at a time The company is cautious about greenwashing. “We prefer not to promise anything we can’t deliver,” says Chovanec. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t looking ahead. New technologies are being tested — such as waterless dyeing, digital printing, and innovative cutting methods. Our own GOTS-certified printer uses eco-friendly inks, ensuring that the sustainable product chain is not interrupted. Screen printing is still popular now, but it’s a polluting technique. It requires a lot of water and chemicals. We still offer it, but in cooperation with an external partner. I think it will largely be replaced within five years.” Chovanec is notably realistic. No grand claims about carbon neutrality or circular supply chains — just small, meaningful steps. “If you ask yourself with every process, ‘Can this be cleaner, faster, smarter?’ — then change happens naturally. Maybe not tomorrow, but five years from now, you’ll be in a very different place.” What makes Malfini different In a market that often revolves around price and availability, Malfini focuses on reliability. “We say no when something isn’t possible — and yes when it is. Simple.” It may sound ‘matter-of-fact’ — and it is — but in an A look inside Malfini:
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