Product samples in the form of sachets, pouches or blister packs are one way of gaining customer confidence in products. Dermapharm AG relies on the all-round service provided by MUNDSCHENK Druck + Medien.
4 September 2022
Two different sachets from Dermapharm were placed on a six-page folder.
(Image: MUNDSCHENK Stickpack Service)
The key to successful marketing lies in appealing to the human senses and conveying information in a way that is effective and memorable for people. Neuroscience provides important insights in this area and promptly makes it a „marketing accomplice“. This is also the case for the Dermapharm AG group of companies. It relies on the all-round service of MUNDSCHENK Druck + Medien for its product samples.
Depending on the product category, product samples in various colours and shapes encourage consumers to test, taste, touch or smell. The target group can get an impression of the product yourself - which makes them more effective and memorable than recommendations by others or far too idealised depictions in commercials.
Dermapharm: product samples are indispensable
The pharmaceutical company, based in Grünwald near Munich, offers a wide range of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products and specialises in dermatological and allergological preparations in particular. The Group's core markets currently include Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Dermapharm plans to International presence to expand further.
„The Launch of new products and all associated marketing campaigns are an important step in this process,“ says Product Manager Christian Wieser. In addition to traditional marketing measures, the pharmaceutical company has been relying for many years on Product samples. „Health and well-being are topics that are increasingly close to people's hearts - whether it's skin, body silhouette or nutrition. The market has grown accordingly, and we can speak of a a veritable oversupply speak,“ explains Christian Wieser.
Display
This makes the choice even more difficult for consumers, especially as they are already undecided and unsure in the wake of various pharmaceutical scandals. „Product samples in the form of sachets, pouches or blister packs are the ideal way to make the Customer confidence in our high-quality products to win,“ emphasises the expert.
Giving the samples a face
Product samples have long been used as a popular means of showing a target group the Advantages of a products can be experienced. Christian Radlbeck knows more about this.
Christian Radlbeck, Managing Director of MUNDSCHENK Druck + Medien GmbH & Co. KG (Image: MUNDSCHENK Stickpack Service)
„However, the success of such a marketing campaign depends on one key point. Namely on the Degree of creativity in terms of design and presentation the product sample carrier. The best product is useless if the potential customer's eyes and senses in general are not interested in it,“ says Christian Radlbeck, Managing Director of the Wittenberg-based company MUNDSCHENK Druck + Medien.
Carriers are small cards or folders on which the product sample is applied. They offer a Platform for creative slogans and - as is often necessary with health products Information on the ingredients.
Costs and effort lower than expected
Above all, it is the standardised and precise distribution of samples that causes uncertainty, especially among traditional SMEs. Small and medium-sized companies in particular shy away from the costs and effort involved in this form of marketing. Most of them assume that the labour involved in applying the advertising material is high.
„However, these doubts are unjustified,“ emphasises advertising expert and Managing Director Christian Radlbeck, who provides companies with a All-round carefree package for product samples offers. Since 2009, this business division has complemented the portfolio of the printing and advertising service provider, which is based in Lutherstadt Wittenberg.
Another MUNDSCHENK project for Dermapharm: „Urocys Mannose+“ food supplement. The development and printing of the displays and sample carriers directly in-house at MUNDSCHENK with subsequent packaging enables high time and cost savings thanks to short transport routes. (Image: MUNDSCHENK Stickpack Service)
Fast, precise dispensing in large quantities
The machines used for dispensing the product samples onto the advertising cards have been specially designed and developed for this application by a machine manufacturer from southern Germany. They can 60,000 samples per day are customised. A robot ensures that the product samples are always placed precisely in the same position on the advertising medium.
The adhesive is injected fully automatically, without the manual use of glue guns. Another plus: The Photographic incoming product inspection immediately identifies any foreign bodies in the sample containers. „Thanks to our modern technology, you could say that the processing of the samples supplied to us is practically a no-brainer,“ says Radlbeck.
Particularly relevant for companies in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics or natural remedies sector: The processes surrounding the dispensing of samples are carried out for the Compliance with the required hygiene standards in a separate work area.
This is separate from the rest of the print and media centre's premises. The trained staff also ensure that the functions and design of the machines are professionally maintained, checked and monitored.
From design to dispatch
In addition to dispensing the stick packs, the cards, flyers and folders are designed and printed by MUNDSCHENK's graphic designers if required. „Our customers like to use special colours or special finishes such as varnish or embossing,“ explains Radlbeck. With the help of the in-house lettershops personalised labelling, packaging of samples and shipping to the desired addresses.
„Our customers repeatedly emphasise that it is highly appreciated to have service providers on hand who can offer a comprehensive service can offer. This saves time, costs and personnel and makes it easier for companies to concentrate on their core business,“ emphasises Radlbeck.
The machines for dispensing the stickpacks are very powerful thanks to their double-flow operation. (Image: MUNDSCHENK Stickpack Service)
A special success story
Samples as a marketing measure was initially on the Dermapharm Group's radar with the acquisition of further companies. This made it possible to expand the product range to include food supplements, cosmetics, medical products and dietary supplements. „Incidentally, these are also product groups for which it is legally permitted to sell product samples.
Unfortunately, we didn't have this option in the case of prescription medicines,“ explains Product Manager Wieser. In the search for a suitable service provider, they came across MUNDSCHENK. With the launch of a new and innovative medical skincare product in October 2018, another reason for the collaboration was quickly found.
New skin care product: Physiotop®
„Physiotop® BASIC and ACUTE creams and lotions strengthen the natural skin lipid barrier and provide quick and lasting effects for dry, stressed skin and skin prone to neurodermatitis.“ Consumers would hardly feel sufficiently addressed and encouraged to make a purchase by this message alone.
„Potential customers really need to be able to test a new skincare product,“ thought Christian Wieser and did not hesitate to Stickpack service from MUNDSCHENK to be included in the marketing strategy: a six-page folding card on which two Physiotop® sachets must be placed. And in 500,000 copies, please.
„Samples are usually printed on simple postcards or folding cards,“ recalls Jan P. Pajak, the contact person responsible for this project and production manager at MUNDSCHENK. „Two different sachets on a six-page folder was a completely new challenge in two respects.
The uniform dispensing on a multi-sided carrier with a wraparound fold on the one hand and the correct positioning of the two sachets on the other, so that no damage is caused to the samples when the folder is folded.“ In order to present the product samples attractively in the checkout area of the pharmacies, a Folding carton with integrated display in the lid necessary.
The special challenge in the case of the Lactostop product: the extremely small and light stick - yet it can be placed by machine using highly sensitive robot technology. (Image: MUNDSCHENK Stickpack Service)
Comprehensive, reliable service
„It is noticeable that the Stickpack team at MUNDSCHENK has an open eye for possible improvements and emphasises comprehensive, open and trustworthy advice.“ This Basic understanding of customer service at MUNDSCHENK enabled smooth collaboration and fast processing. The order took a total of twelve weeks and was completed with delivery at the beginning of 2019. „For me, the most convincing argument afterwards is the Enormous time saving, which is not at the expense of quality.
Not to mention the good price-performance ratio, it is the All-round package, that is right and makes everyday marketing easier for the Dermapharm Group.“ Not only the everyday life of the Dermapharm Group, if MUNDSCHENK Managing Director Christian Radlbeck has his way - after all, the Stickpack range is aimed at countless companies and industries.
Suitable for many industries and occasions
In addition to the pharmaceutical industry, as in the case of the Dermapharm Group, these can be companies from the food, cosmetics or care products sectors. Stickpacks are also the ideal solution for companies in the classic B2B sector that want to advertise to customers or remind their existing customers of their products. Ideal addition to the marketing mix. „In each of these cases, we see ourselves as the right point of contact.“
[infotext icon] The MUNDSCHENK Stickpack Service is a division of the MUNDSCHENK Print + Media GmbH & Co. KG, based in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, is one of Germany's leading specialists in the automated dispensing of stick packs, sealed pouches and sachets onto various advertising formats. The filled stick packs are delivered and dispensed precisely onto various advertising media thanks to state-of-the-art technology - up to 60,000 stick packs a day. MUNDSCHENK can also design and personalise the advertising media and have them printed in the in-house print shop. [/infotext]
