On April 25, 2024, MBB GmbH hosted an exciting Girls and Boys Day, providing two female students and one male student the opportunity to dive into the world of trade representatives for raw materials, especially thickeners and gelling agents for pet food. After a comprehensive introduction to the basics, we moved on to practical activities, first in the kitchen with the raw materials and then in a business simulation from the initial inquiry to the sale.
The Basics
First, the students learned some fundamentals about how trade representatives work. We discussed the benefits for manufacturers and customers, in our case, private label manufacturers, from such cooperation. What does the “Kopf frei” mission, which is central to our work at MBB and sets us apart from others, entail? You can find more about this in our blog post and the podcast interview “Handelsvertreter Heroes” recently given by our owner Christian Köhler.
Getting to know raw materials
A significant part of the day was getting to know the raw materials, especially hydrocolloids like carrageenan, guar, cassia, and others. The origin and production of these materials were explained, including a virtual flight with Google Earth from Hamburg to the Philippines, where one of our main partners is located. From there, we explored the factories and eventually the seaweed farms. The vivid images made the raw materials and their cultivation almost tangible, and there were many exciting and funny questions about the living conditions on site, whether there are sharks, or what happens if the farmers fall into the water.
Practical applications in the kitchen
In the kitchen, we looked at how our hydrocolloids work in practice. Some set when mixed cold, while others do so only after heating and cooling. The benefits of these properties and their application possibilities for our customers in the pet food industry were explained. We also discussed the importance of ingredient quality for animal health and why we at MBB work only with a few very selected manufacturers, some of whom we have known for decades.
Simulating a trade process
A highlight for everyone was simulating a trade process, from the initial inquiry to the successful deal. This included internal video conferences and negotiations. The negotiations were tough, but ultimately, a deal was reached that benefited everyone.
Conclusion
The Girls and Boys Day at MBB was a great success and was a lot of fun for everyone involved. At the end, the proud participants received a certificate recognizing them as “Junior Trade Representatives.” We are very much looking forward to repeating this day in the future.
If you are also interested in an internship or a job at MBB, do not hesitate to contact us.
We look forward to motivated and curious young talents!