Startup Story
Companies looking for customized bags manufactured to the highest standards and produced locally in South Africa know that Jodam Manufacturers, co-owned by Jodi Fittinghoff, is the place to go. Operating for 35 years, the business has a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that produces the highest quality bags with innovative design and creativity at their heart.
LoA spoke to founder Jodi Fittinghoff about the unique entrepreneurial journey of this established and growing niche manufacturing business.
What does your company do?
Established in 1986, Jodam Manufacturers is one of South Africa’s leading Designer and Manufacturer of customized Bags & Packaging. We design and manufacture in a wide range of imported and locally sourced material & fabrics, all of which get incorporated into the bag design of our customers choice. By working closely with our experienced design and conceptual team, we can offer the uniquely designed bag or promotional item, that our customer is looking for.
Our product lines to name a few, include Toiletry and Cosmetic Bags, Travel & Overnight Bags, Vanity Bags, Shoppers, Tote Bags, Beach Bags, Cooler Bags and a wide range of other bespoke custom designed bags. Today, Jodam Manufacturers owns a state-of-the-art production facility that allows our skilled workforce to produce products that are of international standards.
There is a great need for customized, unique and different promotional items, which sets us at an advantage. In order to stand above the rest and offer customized solutions, we have had to become completely vertical, so all the processes of manufacturing and branding products must be able to be done in house, without having to outsource any aspects thereof. We Design, Manufacture and Brand everything that we produce, and now have no need to outsource any of the production processes along the way.
“We Design, Manufacture and Brand everything that we produce, and now have no need to outsource any of the production processes along the way.”
“There is a great need for customized, unique and different promotional items, which sets us at an advantage.”
What makes your new product or service different?
We do compete directly with imported products mainly coming from countries like China, but being a local factory producing quality products, at a reasonable price, with small minimum quantities and shorter lead times, gives us an advantage over our competitors. Our customers are able to monitor their orders throughout the manufacturing process, and if need be can request part deliveries as stock becomes available. We continue to design and develop high quality, innovative products and we now import Neoprene material, and make the most beautiful bags with this unique, appealing material. We constantly strive to follow new international trends, fashions and new ideas, and at the same time innovate our offerings, so as to be able to show elements of difference and uniqueness. This also allows us to keep up to date with manufacturing methods and design trends, which we can offer to our clients.
What are your future aspirations for your new product or service?
We are able to accommodate much smaller Minimum Order Quantities, which is also more attractive to some customers that are looking to introduce and test new products into their ranges. We produce products from a very wide range of fabrics and materials that are both imported and locally sourced. These include Nylons, PU’s, Leatherettes PVC’s, Mesh, Foils, Webbings, Fixings, Zip and many other components. We also offer a wide range of branding solutions – embroidery, screen printing, full color sublimation printing, full color digital printing, embossing, foiling, heat transfers and doming.
“Now more than ever, we are dedicated and committed to making the business a success and sustaining the jobs and lives that we are responsible for at JODAM.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
This past year has proved to be a great challenge for most. Jodam Manufacturers too, has felt the effects of the unexpected COVID-19 Pandemic, but we are staying positive and doing our best to adapt and work with the current reality. However, due to our wide range of capabilities and offerings, this flexibility has stood us in good stand, and we have been able to swiftly adapt our general products, and create a new range of items which better suit our changing situation. We were able to manufacture throughout lockdown with essential items – masks, sanitiser packs and PPE – and we’re now creating new offerings which is attracting new customers through our adapting items. This versatility and quick change in product direction, has enabled us to be able to maintain our staff compliment.
Contact or follow Jodam Manufacturers
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL jodi@jodam.co.za
Why LoA loves it…
Building a trusted, quality manufacturing reputation that also innovates and always delivers along the value chain is something that Jodam Manufacturers, has done over the past 35 years. Carrying on this family business tradition, Jodi and her team continue to build a sustainable business that is renowned both for its products and also the customized approach it takes to delivering to individual client requirements. This is one of the factors that separates the business out from its competitors and allows it to lead the field. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa