NATIONAL FLAG BRANDING AND EVENT SOLUTIONS: Rebrand and Refocus Rejuvenates Branding Heavyweight

In November 2015, South Africa’s National Flag was buoyant following a successful period of unabated growth. Established in 1982, the company had forged an amazing story of success and accomplishment, providing branding materials and related services to major companies and events, marking it on the map for all to see. Enterprise Africa heard the story of ambition and hope.

But, a seemingly never-ending swathe of bad economic news followed, with South Africa barely out of recession for more than a quarter. Africa too was hard hit, with the previously reliable and consistent fast growing economies seeing slowdowns. And then in 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic dealt businesses in SA and on the continent a major blow, forcing closures and tearing up of branding and marketing budgets.

For National Flag it was a tough time. But, this is a company with so much to offer and with a heritage of overcoming challenges. In August 2021, the company was rebranded, refocussed, and relaunched, with Sales and Marketing Director Aydonne Samuels and CEO Saul Sackstein at the helm.

“We have just relaunched the business and we are truly excited about what the future holds,” Samuels tells Enterprise Africa. “It has been a difficult period for all businesses but we are looking to the future with a fantastic appetite.”

Now known as National Flag Branding and Event Solutions (National Flag), the company is rejuvenated, citing industry leading technology, a massive product portfolio, and amazing sales offers as real draws for South African and African clients and resellers. 

REBRANDING

Part of the company’s rebrand includes the promotion of new equipment and facilities, new product offerings, a new website, and a new NFtv channel detailing the company’s strengths. In it’s 40^th year of operation, National Flag is the largest producer of display items in South Africa.

“We made some significant investments for our brand relaunch; our new impressive production facility provides us with the capacity we need to service customers on time every time,” says Samuels. “Within the first few weeks we were able to start our 24-hour production days to ensure customer expectations are exceeded and National Flag will be Africa’s number-one choice for display products with no fuss, no tiers and most importantly, no nonsense.”

The company can produce a range of branding material including banners, flags, gazebos, flagpoles, and so much more, all printed and manufactured locally, and delivered at the best possible price from the company’s 8000 m² factory in Johannesburg.

“As a leading below-the-line branding supplier, we have the latest technological capabilities, including flat-bed screen printing, dye sublimation and direct digital printing,” confirms Samuels.

So confident in the ability of the team, and the precision of industry-leading equipment, Samuels encourages customers and resellers to visit and witness National Flag’s campus first-hand.

“We are in the fortunate position to source our raw materials in bulk and therefore produce high volumes to guarantee you South Africa’s best value, best quality, and best service. Our clients are important to us, and we invite anyone in the market to visit us and experience how display should be done. No arrogance, no nonsense, no artwork fees; we will even do the artwork for you. We are very confident that we can match any quote in the industry. Put us to the test, and ask your salesperson about our Price Pledge Commitment,” he offers.

BEST PRICING

National Flag’s size and scale, and its reach onto the continent through a fantastic range of resellers makes for a company able to complete even the largest of projects without international costings. The technology in the factory contributes to this, and the company’s national reach also differentiates it from others in the industry.

“Our newly renovated home enables us to source the newest and best technology available internationally. Our unmatched high strike-through on our printed products is just another National Flag intervention to provide our customers with the best quality at the best value,” states Samuels. “In August we launched another international technology first exclusively available to our resellers. More information to follow on this exciting offering.

“The National Flag brand is known for its innovation – we launched South Africa’s first screen automated printing capabilities followed by our original and now leading investments in digitally printed fabrics. Our service crew is the largest in Africa, and we will cover every city and ‘dorpie’ every couple of months to retain quality control of our off-site work.”

Originally famed for supplying high-quality long-lasting products, South African flags made by National Flag were used at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, hung at embassies, used to line streets around sports stadiums, and utilised during political campaigns and other mass participation events. Designing, manufacturing, storing, activating and delivering, all in one chain makes for a streamlined approach.

“National Flag stocks Africa’s largest range of country flags and SA flags. They are immediately available to you. Our huge 24-hour production facility delivers a three-day turnaround time on orders. But, we do know things can sometimes go wrong, so ask your sales person about our 24-hour Express Service for those ‘last-minute-dot-com-deals’.

“Our national service crews service every city and dorpie in South Africa on a two-month cycle, and our largest dedicated production facility for display only products is our commitment in South Africa and the rest of Africa. It is important that our new online presence is testimony to our ambitions for Africa. We have also launched the industry’s first TV channel that will be packed with content to further establish ourselves as the industry mavericks.”

CONTINENTAL BUSINESS

The renewed focus within National Flag is driving a refreshed approach to grow presence in Africa. While the slowdowns of the past five years have burnt the fingers of many companies looking for cross-border expansion, National Flag remains bold and keen to re-establish relationships with resellers and independent customers up and down the continent.

“Just as a flag is much more than just cloth and ink, we have an enormous amount to offer – including the largest product range in the African branding industry,” smiles Samuels.

“We were the first to launch trade pricing to the African continent. For over 40 years National Flag has looked after resellers. We provide the marketing material and support so resellers can add our products to their portfolio and use our special trade pricing. Our product range offers both screen and digital printing capabilities to ensure you are getting the best value and the best quality in the industry,” he adds.

National Flag resellers, in South Africa and across Africa, can take advantage of major benefits including (where possible) 24-hour express service, access to industry-first 98% strike-through technology, price pledge to beat any written quote, short lead-times, financial flexibility, free delivery in Johannesburg and Cape Town, no artwork set up cost and trade pricing available, and much more.

“We are proud to wave our own flag, and have decades of experience in delighting resellers across South Africa and beyond,” highlights Samuels.

This proudly South African company – a BBBEE Level 1 contributor – is firmly open and ready to serve. Its experience and capability is unmatched, and its desire to regain market share and drive its long-held growth strategy shows a commitment to African success.

“Established in 1982 as a flag-making company, National Flag Branding and Event Solutions now offers anything you may need to create, install and set up branding materials at any event. We offer our clients a complete solution for all branding requirements, below-the-line products and events,” Samuels finishes.

With most now looking to the future, beyond lockdowns and Covid-19, National Flag is ready to create lasting relationships based on speed, value, and most importantly, quality.