DOK 13
The graphic production company DOK 13 has been around for 11 years. Once started under the name GRAPH-XL in Brussels, it has now been a well-known printing company in Ghent for several years. The name DOK 13 comes from house number 13 at Dok-Noord where they are located. Additional fact is that the opening date was also on Friday the 13th. The company is headed by Riekelt Verbeecke and employs 5 people.
Well-known locally
Dok 13 is mainly active in the retail and events sector. Locally in Ghent they are already well known. They distinguish themselves from large production companies by being able to provide complete customer service from small to large format. Low print runs, variable data in the print work ... everything is possible in combination with their great knowledge of the machines and materials. The starting point is to be a one-stop-shop for the customer and to actively think with them when they encounter a problem.
Riekelt explains with passion, "We are a small company, therefore we are very flexible and always have good, human contact with our customers. Even our large customers are always served with personal attention. We strive to establish long-term relationships, both with our customers and with our suppliers."
Frederik, account manager at Dimix, adds: "At DOK 13, our contact never feels like a sale either, but a collaboration. We both represent companies where personal attention is paramount. This allows us to move well with clients like DOK 13." Riekelt says with a laugh, "We are literally two hands in one and go for a win-win situation for all parties."
Industry yearns for good staff
"Something we have been struggling with for years is that there are few good people to be found in the print and sign industry. In Belgium, large format printing is only a small part of the overall sign training programs. Digital printing is not yet a common commodity. You notice that the industry is yearning for good people with the right experience. In my opinion, this should be the focus of the industry bodies together with the Belgian government."
Fun factor in custom projects
Quite a lot has changed in the market in recent years. "For example, there is a lot more uv printing nowadays. Especially for short-term solutions, this is ideal. For the sustainable projects, I prefer to print with solvent myself. That lasts a lot longer.
Nowadays we work mainly on short-term projects. For us, there's a high fun factor in that. It is often creative work where you can make something cool and customized for clients in the short term.
You also notice that nowadays it is normal that quality is always very good and the customer looks at price in combination with delivery time. The latter two are often decisive for customers. Also, the pollution aspect in this industry is something I do worry about. I'm really figuring out how to handle waste disposal in a better and more environmentally friendly way. To deliveries in and around Ghent we already use a bicycle courier and recently we also turned on our "green mind" and bought three electric bicycles with trailers so that for short trips/installations in and around Ghent we can already leave the car behind."
Creative playground
Riekelt pulls out his "Magic Box," a box filled with print samples, and proudly displays the inventive solutions they've been working on. The passion for the craft and creativity are bursting forth. "We are a playground, we like to figure out what we can make with what we have on hand in terms of machines and materials to come up with the most beautiful and unique products for our customers."
Future
Riekelt sees a bright future: "Last year was actually a bridging year because my co-partner followed his real passion and switched to a totally different business, but we still grew well. I would like to continue this growth in the coming years. Internally, there are still some gains to be made in terms of structure and automation so that will be the focus for the coming year. We have many returning satisfied customers and are increasingly moving into the retail and events industry. I can only see this increasing in the coming years."
Want to know what DOK 13 can do for you?
Then take a look at the website: http://www.dok13.be/
