Ina Plastics

This interview details Ina Plastics, a company based in Greece. The interview is with Jacob Tsonakis, Founder and CEO of Ina Plastics.

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What is the origin story of Ina Plastics?

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Ina Plastics was founded in 1984, initially embarking on a journey in plastics recycling before quickly pivoting towards the specialized production of thermoformed pots. This marked the beginning of our deep dive into the engineering of recycled plastics, leading us to develop innovative thermoforming methods. Our journey was significantly propelled by our growing expertise and an unwavering commitment to research and development (R&D), which eventually saw us expanding our horizons beyond our local market to export to Europe, the US, and other crucial markets worldwide.

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The next big step for the company was to invest in the horticultural sector. The range of products was enriched with propagation trays for young plants and hydroponic products such as drainage gutters and cultivation troughs. Every step of the way, the development of new products was strongly linked to our communication with the market. Feedback from our customers was key to our gradually increasing market share and the birth of a new concept.

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In 2010, the Double Tray System was born. The DTS revolutionized the propagation of young plants, producing strong and healthy seedlings for many nurseries around the world. As exports grew, entities of the company were set up in key locations. Currently, operations are controlled from the factory and head office in Athens, Greece. The company in Mexico, Ina Insumos Agrícolas, deals with the Central and Latin American markets while also providing support to the US market.

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Despite the challenges we faced through the years, we gained much experience, and the company achieved steady but rapid growth. A lot has changed since the beginning. What remains the same is our philosophy: focus on our people, commitment to our customers, and service the market in the best way possible.

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What are some of the biggest challenges facing Ina Plastics in the future? 

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Looking ahead, the path for Ina Plastics is both promising and challenging. Our commitment to innovation and excellence has set a high benchmark in the industry, especially with the introduction of our groundbreaking Double Tray System (DTS). The success of DTS brings us to our first major challenge: surpassing our own achievements. The question is, "How do we match, or even exceed, the innovation that DTS represents?" This challenge is not just about inventing another product but about continuing to revolutionize the world of agriculture with sustainable, efficient solutions. It's about asking ourselves what the next game-changing innovation could be that would similarly transform the agricultural landscape.

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Expanding our market reach presents another significant hurdle. While we have established a strong presence in various global markets, there are still vast regions, notably in North Africa and the Far East, including burgeoning markets like India and China, that remain untapped. Penetrating these markets requires strategic thinking and logistical innovation. One idea to overcome this challenge could be to establish production lines in key locations around the globe to serve these markets more efficiently. Another approach would be to form strategic partnerships that would allow local production of the DTS, thus enhancing our distribution capabilities and market presence.

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Furthermore, the Double Tray System, while initially designed for plant propagation, embodies a versatile engineering concept with the potential for broader application across various industries seeking sustainable solutions. The challenge lies in adapting this innovative design to other sectors, replacing environmentally harmful products such as EPS trays with our sustainable, efficient, and recyclable alternatives. This not only broadens our impact but also aligns with global sustainability goals, presenting a unique opportunity to lead in the creation of green solutions across industries.

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These challenges, while daunting, are exciting. They push us to think bigger, innovate further, and broaden our impact. Our journey has always been about pioneering change and creating value, not just for the agricultural sector but for the planet. As we look to the future, our focus remains on leveraging our strengths, embracing opportunities for growth, and continuing to innovate in ways that benefit both the industry and the environment.

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What is unique about Ina Plastics compared to competitors? 

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What sets Ina Plastics apart in the competitive landscape of the greenhouse industry is not just our products but our underlying philosophy and approach to business. We pride ourselves on our agility and flexibility, which allow us to navigate the fluctuating economy and industry trends with ease. This agility enables us to swiftly adapt to new realities—be it price fluctuations in shipments or raw materials, new legislation, industry trends, or engineering innovations. Our ability to pivot as needed places us at a significant advantage, ensuring that we remain ahead of the curve and responsive to the market's dynamic demands.

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At the heart of our operation is a customer- and service-oriented philosophy that transcends geographical boundaries. Our commitment to fulfilling any order, regardless of its size or origin, in record time, is something that not many companies can boast of. This unparalleled level of service, combined with our global reach, ensures that our clients feel valued and supported, fostering long-term relationships.

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Innovation is the cornerstone of Ina Plastics. We don't just claim to be innovators; our entire business model is built on this principle. Our commitment to innovation is best exemplified by our flagship product, the Double Tray System (DTS). This patented invention revolutionizes seedling propagation by offering a cost-effective, productive, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional EPS or injection trays. Suitable for a wide variety of seedlings, including vegetables, forestry, and flowers, the DTS stands as a testament to our inventive spirit and ability to deliver groundbreaking solutions to the industry.

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Our competitive edge is further sharpened by the deep scientific understanding of our people, which informs every phase of our process, from product design to market delivery. This expertise not only allows us to develop innovative products like the DTS but also to do so in a cost-effective manner, ensuring our offerings are competitively priced and market-leading.

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What are some other relevant metrics of the company (customer count, production quantity, team size, etc.)?

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The below numbers are approximations.

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Customer count

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About 500 active clients globally.

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Production Quantity

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We are producing about 50 different products at the moment.

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In terms of items, we are producing about 20M items per year (including our full product range)

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Team Size

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40 people globally.

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What are some goals in 2024 and beyond for Ina Plastics?

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As Ina Plastics looks towards 2024 and the years that follow, our ambition is not only to continue our trajectory of innovation and growth but to accelerate it. Our journey with the Double Tray System (DTS) exemplifies our commitment to overcoming the inherent challenges of introducing revolutionary products in the conservative sector of agriculture. The initial slow adoption of DTS, given the sector's reluctance to move away from traditional methods, was a hurdle we faced head-on with persistence and strategic outreach. Today, we stand at a pivotal moment where DTS is not only accepted but also embraced as a superior solution by some of the most influential companies in the industry.

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Leveraging this momentum, our goal for the near future is twofold: geographical expansion and market diversification. The adoption of DTS by key market players serves as a strong endorsement, signaling to the broader industry the undeniable benefits of our innovative system. This endorsement is the catalyst for our accelerated expansion into new markets, both geographically and sectorally.

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Geographically, we aim to penetrate untapped markets with high potential, such as North Africa and the Far East. These regions represent not just new customer bases, but also opportunities to address unique agricultural challenges. Our strategy includes establishing a more direct presence in these areas to better understand and serve their specific needs.

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Beyond geographical expansion, we are setting our sights on new industry sectors that stand to benefit significantly from adopting DTS. A prime example is the tobacco industry, which continues to rely on environmentally detrimental EPS trays. Our goal is to introduce DTS as a sustainable alternative, showcasing not only its environmental benefits but also its operational efficiencies. Penetrating such markets represents a broader mission for Ina Plastics: to drive the transition towards more sustainable practices across different sectors of agriculture and beyond.

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The upcoming years for Ina Plastics are about building on the success of DTS and pushing the boundaries further. We see these goals not just as milestones for our company but as steps towards a more sustainable and efficient future for the agriculture sector at large. With our proven track record of innovation and resilience, we are poised to make these goals a reality, contributing to a greener, more sustainable world.

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How can people connect with you or learn more about Ina Plastics?

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People can find us on the below:

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• Linkedin at https://gr.linkedin.com/company/ina-plastics-sa
• Via email - info@ina-plastics.com
• Website - https://ina-plastics.com
• Telephone:some text
  • Greece: +30 210 5580126
  •  Mexico: +52 (1) 786 139 190

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