When you walk down the aisle of a supermarket or retail store, hundreds of products are competing for your attention...
Meet The Team: Saviel Hailemichael, Student Sustainability Officer
In the last month, we’ve welcomed Saviel to the team as our Student Sustainability Officer here at Soabar. Saviel is in her third year of studying Business Management at the University of Leicester, and she brings with her an enthusiasm for learning about a new sector (labels!), the knowledge of how to use data to inform decision making, and the practical understanding that sustainability is more than just an on-topic environmental consideration. We feel so lucky to have her join us on a one day a week basis whilst she’s in her final year of studying.
Why Sustainability Matters at Soabar
We chose to hire a Sustainability Officer due to an even increasing need for UK manufacturing businesses to report, provide and analyse internal sustainability data. We worked closely with the University of Leicester through their Greener Future Programme last year, and got us thinking about the possibility of hiring a current student at the university to assist us in our continued sustainability efforts, which we highly prioritise. As well as allowing us to stay on top of the necessary reporting, we’re hopeful that Saviel will be able to introduce new environmental initiatives during her time with us, for example the introduction of solar panels on our factory extension.
We wanted to give our customers the opportunity to get to know Saviel better by asking her some fun and professional questions. Here are her responses:
Work Q&A
How do you feel about joining Soabar?
Joining Soabar has been a really positive experience so far. I’ve had the opportunity to meet some amazing people, and everyone has been incredibly welcoming and supportive. It’s been lovely to feel part of the team so quickly, and I really appreciate how inclusive and encouraging the working environment is. Soabar has a great team of managers, supervisors and colleagues who make you feel valued, and I’m genuinely happy to be part of the business.
What has been a highlight so far?
For me, the biggest highlight has been the people and the strong sense of community within the business. Everyone has been so supportive. I really value the positive working environment and how willing everyone is to help one another. Having experienced different working environments, it’s refreshing to be part of a team where collaboration, encouragement and support are such an important part of the workplace culture.
What do you do as a Sustainability Officer?
As a Sustainability Officer, my role involves working with sustainability and carbon-related data, validating information and reviewing invoices to help ensure the data we work with is accurate and reliable. I also import and maintain this information within Soabar’s internal system, allowing it to be stored and made available to our customers. Alongside this, I carry out research to develop my understanding of sustainability-related topics and support the work that we do. I enjoy the combination of working with data, carrying out research and contributing to a service that helps the business to better understand their sustainability information.
What are you studying at university, and how does this link to your role at Soabar?
I’m currently studying Business Management at the University of Leicester, and my role at Soabar links closely with what I study. Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important part of business management, particularly as organisations navigate evolving environmental regulations, legislation and expectations around responsible business practices. My role allows me to see how sustainability connects with business operations in practice, while gaining a better understanding of the data and information businesses need to support their sustainability efforts. It’s a great opportunity to connect the theory I learn at university with real-world business practices and develop valuable experience alongside my degree.
Why is sustainability important to you?
I believe sustainability is essential for our future and for protecting the world we live in. Although becoming more sustainable can sometimes feel challenging for businesses, I think it’s important to recognise that sustainability is relevant to everyone, not just organisations. The choices we make in our everyday lives can also contribute to a more sustainable future. For me, sustainability goes beyond environmental considerations, it also includes social and economic sustainability. It’s about finding a balance that allows people, businesses and the planet to thrive, both now and in the future.
Fun Q&A
You’re from Nottingham but study in Leicester! How do they compare?
If I had to describe Leicester in three characteristics, I’d say diverse, vibrant and welcoming, with great food!
Tell us about one thing that you love doing outside of university and work.
One of my favourite things to do outside of university and work is reading. Although I enjoy a few different hobbies, reading is my favourite way to unwind and take some time for myself. It gives me the chance to switch off from everyday responsibilities, get lost in a good book and recharge.
Do you have a fun fact about yourself?
A fun fact about me is that I’m bilingual! I speak Tigrinya and English.
What’s your favourite TV show?
I enjoy quite a few TV shows, but at the moment, I’d have to say Suits. It’s what I’m currently watching, and it’s definitely my favourite at the moment!
Who's your celebrity crush?
Maybe Theo James or Idris Elba.
The Future of Soabar is Bright
We're so excited to see of the great things that will undoubtedly come from Saviel's work over the next year.
If you want to work with a label provider who's forward thinking, cares about all aspects of sustainability and takes action to make the world a better place, then look no further than Soabar. Reach out to us today to discuss sustainable labelling options for your products, or if you'd like to receive a copy of our most recent Sustainability Report.
Frequently Asked Questions - Printer Maintenance
01
What do the lines mean that are going through the print on my label?
If the line is in a diagonal direction, it is likely that the foil is creasing. Simply adjust the tension bar or clutch.
If the lines are vertical, then the printhead could either be dirty, or there could be dots or pixels on the printhead. If the latter is the case, you might need a new printhead. Contact us for us to diagnose the problem before ordering new parts.
Horizontal lines often indicate that the machine has stopped to make a cut. Usually, the machine will automatically try and blend this line out. Trying to alter the design of your label could help to solve the problem, however if there is a cut in the roller then it might need replacing. Contact our Technical Team if you think that this might be the case.
02
Nothing is printing onto my label but it’s going through the print process. What’s happening?
It’s likely that the ink foil is on the wrong way round, and it’s applying ink to the printhead instead of the label. Remove the ink foil, clean the printhead with some of our printhead wipes or isopropyl spray, and put the ink foil back on the other way around. The general rule of thumb when loading ink foil is dull side down, shiny side up!
03
I’ve got a warning notification on my printer. What should I do?
You will likely be seeing something along the lines of ‘No Gap Found / Media Error’, which could mean several things. The labels might be threaded up incorrectly, which will mean that they’re not going through the sensor. Take the roll of labels off and thread them up again, being sure to consult the diagram to make sure you’re doing this in the correct way for your machine. The sensor might not be in the correct position, so try adjusting it slightly to see whether it picks up on the labels coming through. Alternatively, the sensor might need re-calibrating. Either find the button on your machine that will do this for you or contact us for a little more assistance.
04
How do I clean the printhead on my label printer?
Take off the ink foil and get some of our printhead cleaning wipes, or some isopropyl spray and a cloth. Wipe the print area, removing any visible dirt or residue. Rethread the machine, reload the ink foil, and run a small job again to see whether print quality improves.
05
My printer isn’t communicating with my computer. What should I do?
The first thing to do is to check that the cable running between your computer and printer is connected properly, and in the correct port. Also ensure that the port on the computer is selected correctly (e.g. USB-C, USB), by navigating to your settings. You should also make sure that you’re trying to send a job to the correct printer, and not another that is synced with your computer.
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