Authentic relationships are really something beautiful, especially when they are born unexpectedly. That's what I thought as I read the letter I received this morning: an invitation to the wedding of a couple of dear friends. I reminisce about their story and I smile, remembering they met purely by chance, through a dating app. Upon reflection, it's somewhat similar to how a partnership forms between companies. In our case, for example, it might just take a Google search like "plastics manufacturers" to spark a connection that could last for years. Whether the relationship will flourish or turn toxic, well, that depends on the goodwill of both parties. So then, how do we find the masterbatch and plastic materials supplier that suits us? It's not just a matter of luck, but also of recognizing the right match!

Yes, I do (want the masterbatch)

Choosing a supplier of plastic materials that meets your company's needs is not an easy task. In fact, if a partnership works like a marriage, finding an allied company is a bit like looking for the ideal husband...you can't settle! Saying the fateful "yes" is a choice to be made with awareness. Of course, this cannot depend solely on one factor. Try to think for a moment about the list of characteristics the dream partner must have. Definitely a long list, isn't it? Here, between companies it works the same way. A collaboration, to be solid, must be rooted in clear, well-defined and distinctive values. So the decision of the masterbatch supplier must not be trivial, kind of like when we have to make lunch in a hurry and settle for plain pasta. Finding a true collaborator is not a matter of a lunch break, but a bond that could accompany us for a lifetime.

What do you really need?

Let's say we have found the partner of our dreams. Things could still go wrong if this individual is unable to meet our needs. For example, it is pointless for someone to carefully plan a vacation in the Dolomites, with scenic hikes and lunches at the most beautiful mountain huts, when the partner wants nothing more than to relax on a beach by the sea. Or again, proposing a romantic sushi dinner to your partner might not be ideal if they are allergic to fish. These very simple examples indicate that in a good relationship it is important to first understand the other person's needs. The supply of plastic materials and masterbatch also works the same way. It is important to rely on someone who has a great ability to understand our business needs, for example the trends in our market or critical nodes in the production of our products.

Supplying plastics: the value of experience

The problem for many is the lack of effective communication, meaning the ability of an interlocutor to express himself clearly and the listener's ability to interpret the message. A patient visiting a doctor complaining of a stomach ache is expressing discomfort. Unfortunately, many diseases cause this symptom. As much as the doctor is multi-skilled, one would need the patient to make an effort to be more specific in describing his ailment. However, not everyone has the gift of precision. This is where experience comes in: a good doctor, after years of work and studies, can understand what is troubling the patient's stomach even if they can't explain it well. Understanding the message by going beyond its surface is a skill that matures over time, which is also necessary for a good partner in the supply of plastic materials. Therefore, in the search for a partnership, it becomes important to rely on someone with a solid knowledge base, capable of grasping needs that go beyond simple primary requests.

Buying plastic masterials: a matter of trust

Sometimes there is no effective communication because there is a lack of transparency. This happens in relationships as well. For example: "Honey, what's wrong?" he asks, when she is clearly upset. "Nothing." the annoyed reply. If efforts were made to admit in a clear manner that something is wrong, we would all be happier. The lack of clarity also happens in the purchasing phase of raw materials. This is because accounting staff have different concerns than their colleagues working in the laboratory or in production. To establish a solid partnership, it is important to be as transparent as possible and try to communicate as best you can all needs, not just those of the person purchasing the plastics for the warehouse. Allowing the supplier to peek over the desk of the purchasing department does not mean opening the doors of the company to KGB spies, but giving our partner the opportunity to help us. It's all a matter of trust.

My ideal partnership

So what characteristics should the ideal masterbatch and plastic material manufacturer have? The answer is truly subjective, kind of like the dream partner. To each his own. However, if we want to establish a meaningful partnership, our match must be with someone who can be relied on. A company composed of people we trust (and, why not, maybe even like!) to whom we can express our difficulties openly. Someone who is available for us, who supports us when problems arise, who makes us feel accompanied and not abandoned. In an sensitive industry sector as plastic materials where where a broad knowledge of chemistry and physics is needed, it is important to have a solid reality nearby who can fill our scientific gaps. In short, someone who is on the ball. A partner is like a friend, a companion: to the question "are you there?" they must answer "here I am!"