july2017

84 85 have a lot of conversations with our customers to find out, for instance, what new exhibits are opening at zoos and aquariums in the coming year, so we can provide them with products that pair well with their exhibits. Our retail custom- ers email us with product suggestions which we add to a wish list that is reviewed when determining new releases.We are really in tune with the needs of our customers and strive to provide them with an unmatched customer service experience every step of the way.” “Manufacturing is outsourced to partners in Asia who have worked with Safari Ltd. for over 30 years; however, the entire creative process happens in the main distribution center in Miami.” Safari Ltd. was housed for 20 years in a building in Miami Gardens, and moved to the current location in Miami Lakes to satisfy increased space needs for the warehouse and offices. A significant amount of construction was done to “Safari-tize” the new headquarters and make it just right for this growing entity. The building features a winding ramp at the entrance to take Safarians to the upstairs of- fices to promote walking as an active design, an on-site fitness facility, and many more cus- SAFARI LTD. tom features from the lobby to the warehouse. The company is also investing in technology to provide a best-in-class customer service experience and streamline internal processes for greater efficiency. Additions include new systems for enterprise resource planning (SAP Business One), warehouse management (Acel- los), and customer relationship management (Salesforce), as well as a redesigned website and a strategic partnership with FEDEX for shipping. Looking towards the future, Beavers admits, “The challenge for us is technology– in that people are moving away from the tangible toy or animal figurine, and moving towards iPads and apps to educate children. By focusing on creating lifelike Toys That Teach, we’re empha- sizing that a physical product like ours helps children know what an animal looks like, not just by viewing a picture on a tablet, but by holding it in their own hands. In the future, we’ll always have that struggle with emerging tech- nology; the whole toy market is going through that.We’re trying to bring back teaching with a tangible object –whether in the classroom, or with toddlers who are just learning develop-