News - Markitforce News

Markitforce is charging ‘Full Steam Ahead’!

This month Markitforce unveiled the quarterly theme launch across all sites: Full Steam Ahead. This theme is a great way to see out the outstanding year we’ve had at Markitforce and is a culmination of the past 18 months of theme launches leading us to today.

The management team really took to the part by dressing up with our CEO as ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ and our gracious Warehouse Manager’s Bill and Bobby playing the role of a very convincing ‘The Fat Controller’. The team were allocated with a jigsaw piece as they arrived, sharing puzzled looks as to why and patiently waited for their piece of the puzzle to be called to the front. Each piece of the puzzle represented the important role every single individual played in the business from; reception, account management, finance, IT, despatch, inventory, pick pack and production. Once the puzzle was complete, Thomas the Tank Train came to life!

The message behind ‘Full Steam Ahead’ refers to the platform that our business is about to launch – a new WMS system which has been several months in the making. This will streamline and improve process and procedures to achieve superior results in all aspects of our business.

We welcomed guest speaker George who is the project manager from our new WMS provider to introduce some new ideas and concepts with the new system implementation and to take questions from the team.

The day also happened to coincide with the race that stops a nation – Melbourne Cup, where all staff were invited to create a hat in the spirit of ‘Country Colours’. Of the numerous entries in the hat competition we had 4 stand outs who each won a prize and bragging rights to the best hats of 2014. We all participated in sweeps with many happy (and some unhappy) punters.

All in all the day was a success filled with fun, excitement around the quarter ahead, and Melbourne Cup winners.

Markitforce delivers on their APC commitment!

As a voluntary signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant (APC) in 2011, the team at Markitforce have worked hard on continuing to deliver our green philosophy by strengthening our sustainability program.

We are pleased to announce that after another committed year, we have once again passed our annual audit from the Australian Packaging Covenant for the Financial Year ending 2013.

This is a great result for Markitforce and reinforces our commitment to our customers by delivering a high quality service whilst having a positive impact on the environment.

Congratulations to our team on a great result. We look forward to another year of innovation and finding new ways to improve our above average rating.

Markitforce Rallies for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea Fundraiser!

It’s that fabulous time of year again, no not Christmas; it’s time for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea where we all get to “EAT CAKE” in the name of Charity!!

On Thursday May 22nd, Markitforce took part in the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea event, a chance to take 5 and enjoy our colleagues company over a bite to eat and a cup of tea, while raising money to help this fantastic charity beat Cancer!

Diets were broken and gold coins donated for delicious chocolate dipped strawberries, rocky road pieces, amazing slices and the humble lamington…team Markitforce did not disappoint.

A successful and enjoyable morning was had by all and we look forward to supporting the Cancer Council again next year.

Melbourne is on the MOVE…

What is 10m high, has a full length canopy and features 8,000 square metres? Our new Melbourne site.

Markitforce Melbourne has out grown its premises in Clayton Victoria, and we are excited to unveil the new and improved purpose built facility on Dandenong Road in Dandenong South. Just 3 short weeks ago this was a patch of dirt, and its fast becoming a Markitforce icon! Due for completion by 1st February our newest facility will boast all the mod cons of a 21st century warehouse and includes a climate controlled facility, bonded warehouse, full sprinkler system, wrap around driveway, state of the art training and office facility and more roller doors than you can poke a stick at!

With easy access to East Link and Monash Freeways, this site will be just the right place to grow with our valued customers. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming months.

Markitforce is ON TRACK in 2013!

What does being ON TRACK mean to you? This quarter it means establishing core department KPI’s for the team at Markitforce.

To launch the ON TRACK theme that will run from May through July (Q2, 2013) Markitforce unveiled the theme in warehouses that were converted to the scene of an Olympic Athletics stadium to celebrate with some seriously fun activities in the name of KPI’s.

The team arrived dressed as their favourite Olympians and watched on as the Olympic torch was carried in by Chief Engagement Officer Alan Higgins (dressed as a quirky track athlete). After enjoying a BBQ breaky the team of Markitforce Olympians were divided into teams red, blue, yellow and green for the ultimate clash of the colours and the glory of standing on the “pallet” podium! Who will come out on top…..? The team that triumphs over all across 3 gruelling team challenges: the egg & spoon race, tunnel ball, and soccer ball bounce challenge!

And the winner in both sites is….Team Red!!! Captained in Sydney by the fearless Headmistress Shirley McMullen (aka HR Manager), and in Melbourne by the effervescent Sarah Fletcher our Chief of Staff. Both Shirley and Sarah lead their teams to victory with sheer determination, motivation, courage and some good old cheating behaviour.

A big shout out to our best dressed prize winners; the sporting enthusiasts Venus & Serena Williams, the synchronised swimming team who braved the cold on a chilly morning in May, our iconic Belfast Giants Ice Hockey star, and who can forget our Ian Thorpe impersonator and Olympic Weight Lifter!

After a successful launch in Sydney & Melbourne, the ON TRACK theme now means providing on track customer service, on track invoicing, on track issue resolution, on track receiving, on track pick/pack, on track inventory, on track despatch, on track transport, on track delivery, on track performance and being on track with department KPI’s!!

Team Markitforce does the Sydney Half Marathon!

It was a frosty and refreshing 6am start on Sunday 19th May for 6 very eager Markitforce participants competing in the prestigious Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon! Joining 10,000 other crazy Sydney-siders, these enthusiastic, driven and brave individuals oozed with Markitforce spirit as they stepped up to the start line to take on the ultimate challenge – 21.1 kms of gruelling sweat, tears, aches and dehydration on the blistering terrain of Sydney’s urban and city streets!

Thankful for its beauty and serenity they enjoyed in excess of 120mins on the scenic roads of Sydney’s CBD, Circular Quay, Pyrmont and the botanical gardens in the name of Markitforce!

Everyone was a winner as they crossed the finish line with all 6 contestants finishing in great spirits and achieving their own PB’s. Great job Team Markitforce. We are proud of each and every one of you!

Now to drum up more participants for next year…!!!

Markitforce ROCKS into Quarter 1 Theme!

As a business, the important questions you sometimes ask yourself are: How is it that you want every team member to perform? How do you want to be seen and remembered in the eyes of your clients, suppliers, staff, investors and industry? How do you want to engage your clients and build relationships that extend beyond the day to day?

Recently joining the highly successful STW Group (whose logo is made up of a ‘7 Pointed Star’) made answering these above questions quite simple…

Further to a 1 day Management Workshop at Ogilvy House which involved reviewing the success of the prior quarter’s theme (Delivering Happiness) as well as setting strategy for the next 3 months, it was agreed that Markitforce’s Quarter 1 2013 Theme would be ROCKSTARS!

Perform like ROCKSTARS!

Be seen and remembered as ROCKSTARS!

Go beyond the call of duty to assist our clients in being ROCKSTARS!

To communicate this and to engage the entire business, a launch party was held on Thursday 31st January in Sydney and Friday 1st February in Melbourne, promoting all things ROCK & ROLL!

BBQ Breakfast equipped with a Coffee Van; ROCKSTAR Musical Chairs; ROCKSTAR Backstage at a Gig Photo Booth; ROCKSTAR Trivial Pursuit; and the ROCKSTAR Red Carpet Best Dressed were just a few of the fun activities that the entire business participated in.

Alan Higgins (dressed as ELVIS, yes ELVIS!!!) presented a full summary of the 1 day Workshop and staff were given ROCKSTAR Gold Bling Necklaces, ELVIS Wigs and ROCKSTAR Temporary Tattoos!

The action doesn’t stop there! There will be numerous initiatives throughout the quarter both internally and externally to the business – keep your eyes open! Clients, please make sure you visit us over the next 3 months as we have ROCKSTAR Gifts to Give!

A huge Markitforce shout out goes to our generous friends at Frucor Beverages. Thank you for kindly donating ROCKSTAR branded merchandise as prizes to our competitions. The ROCKSTAR branded fridge filled with ROCKSTAR Energy Drinks certainly kept the entire team humming all day long!

As ELVIS would say… “Thank you very much”.

Whitelion Recognise Markitforce’s Efforts

Markitforce Melbourne has received the ‘Chairperson’s Award’ from Whitelion. The award was presented to Markitforce for employing Whitelion youth and being a dedicated supporter of the programme.  It is Markitforce’s first year of being involved in the programme and it has been a very successful year in changing the lives of 2 young men. Markitforce have given them both a new start in their careers in warehousing & logistics and an opportunity to succeed in life with a bright future.

Whitelion is a non-profit community organisation that provides youth-focused gender and culturally specific services in several areas which include; mentoring, employment, role modeling, specialist outreach support and education based prevention programs.

Markitforce delivers some Christmas happiness to Starlight Foundation

Markitforce recently presented some Christmas joy and spirit to The Starlight Children’s Foundation in the form of a $6,500 financial donation.

The donation was presented to Starlight’s Partnerships Executive Julia Glaser at Markitforce’s celebratory Christmas event and will help grant a seriously ill child their Starlight wish of a lifetime.

“Markitforce has had a long association with Starlight and we were delighted to deliver some Christmas happiness to a very special child and their family,” said Alan Higgins, CEO Markitforce.

“We have always been inspired by the passionate and amazing team at Starlight and so jumped at the opportunity to help brighten the life of a Starlight child and their family through the Starlight Wish Granting program.”

Starlight CEO Louise Baxter says, “Thanks to the wonderful support of Markitforce we are now able to grant a life-changing wish for a child at a time when they need it most.”

 “A Starlight Wish is quite literally a dream come true for a child battling a chronic or life-threatening illness and we know that these Starlight Wishes can be a crucial turning point in helping a child to manage the pain and stress of treatment.”

Delivering Happiness was the recent theme behind one of Markitforce’s quarterly client satisfaction indicators. 

Delivering Happiness was largely focused on exceeding the expectations of our clients. I am extremely proud of the way our entire business rose to this challenge and exceeded all client expectations,” said Higgins.  “I would like to thank our clients for their constant feedback and partnerships.”

STW expands retail marketing footprint with Markitforce investment

Sydney, October 30, 2012: STW, Australia’s leading marketing content and communications services group, continues to expand its retail service footprint, today announcing an investment in marketing logistics and fulfilment company Markitforce.

The deal sees STW take a majority share in the national business, which was founded in 2001 by CEO Alan Higgins and has had outstanding year-on-year growth. Markitforce has a presence in five Australian states, plus Auckland NZ, with a total staff of 100.

“Markitforce is a leader in promotional campaign execution for local and global clients, and brings entirely new capabilities around retail services to the group,” explained STW’s CEO, Michael Connaghan.

“It is a business that will complement our existing retail and ‘Path to Purchase’ offer, and we see future opportunities across the sector. Markitforce is a great cultural fit for STW, has a strong leadership team, a broad client base and growing client demand within the shopper marketing segment. I have known Alan and been speaking with him for a while now. He is a quality bloke and built an amazing business. Markitforce is world class and a welcome addition to the STW stable.”

Markitforce CEO and founder Alan Higgins said the two companies were “an excellent strategic fit”. “As an entrepreneur within a fast growth business, you come to a point where you need external investment to continue growing,” Higgins explained. “But as with any partnership, it is crucial that there is a good cultural fit and strong business synergies. Markitforce and STW have similar clients, a commitment to growth and a solid business foundation built on entrepreneurialism and innovation. I can see fantastic future opportunities for both organisations.”

Markitforce provides a range of Marketing Logistics services specialising in Point of Sale management and product fulfilment (guaranteed to deliver in full on time), warehousing and distribution, third party logistics, Pick & Pack and Kitting services, consumer redemptions, climate control storage and value adds such as TGA warehousing for pharmaceutical samples and a bonded storage area. It operates in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Auckland, and has clients across the FMCG, Entertainment, Automotive and Pharmaceutical industries. Higgins will remain at the helm of Markitforce.