The scent of a new car

For the real car enthusiast, the smell of a new car's interior is just as important as its equipment or styling. It is a feature that often identifies a brand. ELiX, a Polish manufacturer of air fresheners and a specialist in this sector, explains how manufacturers create that special aura in their cars.

The smell of a car interior is a very complex subject. It is largely made up of the individual smells of the components used in the manufacturing process and the smell of car interior care products. Already at this stage, some manufacturers select suppliers and materials by choosing those that are aromatically compatible with strict guidelines.

Quality is also about the right smell

In the case of premium brands, the quality of the materials used to finish the interior is assessed comprehensively. It's a full spectrum of experiences to meet the client's expectations. It is not only a question of the technological usability of a given part, but also of aesthetics (visual, tactile) and also precisely the smell. This means that manufacturers of premium brands do not leave fragrance to chance. It can be said that they manage it extremely effectively.

It is important to remember that in a certain class of car, the interior scent of the vehicle must be consistent with the brand image and the quality of the finish. This is the most important element of fragrance management - the coherence of the fragrance with the interior design. Even if organic leathers are used, they can also have a refined fragrance that creates a unique atmosphere and gives pleasure to the brand or model.

Classy means discreet

It is extremely important, as manufacturers have already learned, to manage the intensity of the fragrance. The fragrance of the interior elements should be extremely delicate and long-lasting. So that the user recognises it when entering the vehicle and then, thanks to adaptive mechanisms, stops recognising it in a few minutes. Nowadays, good-quality components can smell for up to more than a year, all thanks to the use of special odour carriers that are resistant to high temperatures. This refers to the production stage - for example, the plastic injection stage.

A very interesting technology is the scents released only when the item is touched. They are most commonly used for any textile or leather items

Fragrance helps to sell

The right vehicle interior scent creates a pleasant atmosphere that remains in the emotional memory much longer than technical descriptions and often helps to sell cars.

According to research, fragrance fulfils its 'marketing' role in two cases. Firstly, when it 'fits the brand' and is compatible with the interior furnishings, and secondly, when its intensity is well chosen. This is illustrated by the accompanying graph of perceived odour intensity - we are interested in level 3, that is, when the perceiver is on the verge of identifying what and how they smell.

Range 0-1

An area where the intensity of the odour is so low that we feel nothing (but animals can already identify such low concentrations of odour).

Range 1-2

The most interesting range of odour concentration, where we are unable to identify the source of the odour. While we cannot define it, we already perceive it emotionally as something positive (it's pleasant) or negative (be careful, or don't eat); this level triggers a kind of premonition, which some call a sixth sense.

Range 2-3

The range within which we can identify a smell and describe it, and clearly know what emotions and memories it is associated with. This is the extent of the effect of well-chosen perfumes or properly applied air fresheners.

Range 3-4

The level that starts to become a nuisance; we have too much fragrance intensity and, regardless of the type of fragrance, we are not comfortable with it. It's a case of taking a lift with someone who has spilled a whole bottle of perfume on themselves - "it supposedly smells good but gives you a headache".

Range 4 and more

Determines the odour concentration at which the pain threshold is exceeded. Regardless of the type of fragrance, the reflex reaction is to want to leave the place with that concentration of smell.

Exaggerated intensity is perceived as bad or even worse than a bad smell. In general, the most important thing for car manufacturers is to create a friendly, good-quality place where we feel comfortable. The same principle should be followed when individually selecting fragrances for cars, rooms or our personal perfumes - Waldemar Stasiak - ELiX

Which scent do you like best?

A very good example is the so-called New Car fragrance, which has evolved from a heavy leather scent into a lighter men's perfume. And there is a justification for this, as there are no leather elements in popular cars and the smell seemed artificial. On the other hand, the scent of men's perfume with a hint of luxurious leather gives the interior a pleasantly calm atmosphere and is universally accepted by men and women alike.

How can fragrance sell your brand?

Running a business is directly linked to growth. Sales growth of 27%, that sounds proud! And these are the kind of results that virtually any entrepreneur can achieve if they believe that fragrance really helps sell your brand!

Man is an emotional being who is guided only to a limited extent by cold calculation. We perceive the world through the prism of our beliefs, ideas we have heard, and our senses. Sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell are what helps us experience life, and in the past have been one of the foundations for the survival of the human species. Still, many entrepreneurs are afraid to bet on the customer's experience with the company in a wider context.

The first impression effect!

Today, competitive advantages are even more strongly determined by details. Access to technology, as well as production processes, is more widespread than ever before, so the details will determine why consumers choose your brand.

What does your head office look like, what do the people who first come into contact with the customer represent. Very important, and perhaps even more important, are non-verbal impressions. It's what music reaches our ears, what we feel when we step through the company's doors. Are all these elements consistent with each other? This is why aroma plays such an important role in the branding process.

Emotions and impressions - this is what drives us

Once we have taken care of the emotional sphere and built a good first impression, this needs to be maintained. Sometimes professional salespeople in perfumeries of brands recognized throughout Europe make a basic mistake in communicating with the customer - they refer directly to the product, i.e. the fragrance, instead of asking about the sensations that come from smelling a particular fragrance note.

This demolishes the whole intricately created effect at the outset, as most customers feel lost at this point and do not quite know how they are supposed to answer such a poorly asked question. In this area, we may miss the opportunity to close the deal. Therefore, in selecting a fragrance for your brand, pay attention to olfactory memory.

We like what we already know

Olfactory memory is a phenomenal process because it remains constant throughout life. Based on the aromas we perceive, our mind can assess danger, if only in the form of the smell of gas, or recall wonderful moments by the ocean when we smell the aroma of the sea breeze.

This is why you need to focus on positive impressions when choosing a fragrance for your brand, because verbal and non-verbal experiences will create the anchors in the customer's mind described in psychology - company X is very good and friendly - even though, on further reflection, we don't quite know why we think so.

"As emotional creatures who are partly guided in their lives by the rational side of their minds, we rely primarily on very primal instincts. In branding, awareness of the potential of fragrances helps to develop a unique competitive advantage over other companies. At the same time, the specifics of each industry are so unique that virtually most companies can use their own fragrance lines as the hallmark of their business," says Waldemar Stasiak president of ELiX.

Why Outsourcing Air Freshener Manufacturing is the Best Choice for Your Business

If you are looking for a way to boost your sales and profits with air fresheners, you might want to consider outsourcing the manufacturing process to an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Here are some of the benefits of doing so:

You can save time and money by letting the OEM handle the production, packaging, and shipping of your air fresheners. You don't have to worry about investing in expensive equipment, hiring skilled workers, or managing quality control.

You can focus on your core competencies and marketing strategies. You can use your creativity and expertise to design your own unique air fresheners, choose the best fragrances and ingredients, and promote your brand to your target audience.

You can access the latest technology and innovation from the OEM. You can benefit from their experience and know-how in creating high-quality air fresheners that meet the standards and expectations of your customers. You can also request for customized solutions that suit your specific needs and preferences.

You can expand your product range and reach new markets. You can offer a variety of air fresheners to your customers, such as spray, gel, paper, or car air fresheners. You can also explore new opportunities and niches in the global market with the help of the OEM.

Outsourcing air freshener manufacturing to an OEM is the best choice for your business if you want to grow and succeed in this competitive industry. You can enjoy the advantages of having a reliable partner who can provide you with quality products at affordable prices. Contact us today to find out how we can help you achieve your goals!

Waldemar Stasiak

How to create a private label / white label air freshener

Do you dream of creating your own air freshener so that it is branded with your brand and your logo?

I suggest some simple steps to make the whole process go smoothly and quickly.

The first and most important question: for what purpose do you need such an air freshener?

If you are looking for an air freshener to give out to your customers as a promotional gadget - go straight to a company that produces such ordinarily paper air fresheners. You will probably already be able to make your choice of shape on their website and send them your logo.

However, if you are looking for refreshers that you intend to market and sell successfully, keep reading.

Creating a private label product is a complicated process, to make it as simple as possible, start by choosing the right first product. Check which air fresheners sell best, remembering that value is important, not quantity. Therefore, I encourage you to browse the available air fresheners and look for something more attractive than a typical paper air freshener. It can be a sachet, bottle or organic - the effect will always be better than a standard paper air freshener.

Paper air fresheners, sachet air fresheners, scented bottle air fresheners, organic air fresheners, all other solutions

The steps for finding the type of your first custom air freshener should include:

type of air freshener (paper, bottle, sachet, gel, wood)
fragrance versions - those that are the best-selling on your market, I suggest limiting yourself to no more than 5 fragrance versions
your product positioning on the market - do you want your air freshener to be better and more expensive than the ones currently available, identical or just cheaper.
your monthly sales plan, that is how many units of your air freshener you can sell per month

If you already know the answer to these 4 questions you can start your search for a manufacturer.

The search for the right manufacturer as usual starts on the internet. Before submitting a request, carefully review the manufacturer's website evaluating if:

it has experience in manufacturing private label air fresheners.
its location - the country of origin of your air fresheners

Now you can send inquiries. Send them in any form you like, but always state what you're looking for in the query - your answers to the first 4 questions.

Choosing a manufacturer

You have already sent inquiries and are getting first responses and quotes. At this stage do not decide yet on the choice of the supplier.

Ask for samples of agreed fragrance versions - this is where the first costs come in on your side - it will be the cost of sending the samples to you, the samples themselves you will probably get for free.

Test the samples you receive - now you know what to expect from each potential manufacturer.

Now is the time to detail your ideas for your own air freshener with the cost of changes and additional work on the part of the manufacturer. Now you will receive the final offer and price.

Now, make sure that you get support from the manufacturer in developing and checking the text of your label to make sure that it complies with the current legislation in your target markets - this is extremely important as, for example, in Europe you cannot sell air fresheners that do not have a REACH compliant label description. Ask for the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and see what regulations it is based on. Also check carefully whether the manufacturer you are talking to really produces anything. For example, if it comes from Europe, can it issue a EUR1 certificate? A good way to verify is to make an appointment at the manufacturer's facility - if you have time, you go, if not - nothing happens. Those who won't confirm an appointment usually have something to hide.

Lead time - the time it takes to produce your air freshener. This always takes time. Better to wait a week longer and confirm all the details twice than to get a product that does not fully meet your expectations! Take your time and the final effect will depend on it. A good manufacturer will guide you and ask the right questions or suggest their proven solutions for packaging, transportation, and labeling of the bulk packaging.

You already know everything, you can now choose a supplier and place your order!

Author: Waldemar Stasiak - ELiX Founder