Packaging company marks 25th anniversary by investing in future growth

A packaging specialist has marked its 25th anniversary by carrying out a major upgrade of its headquarters and doubling its warehouse capacity.

Midlands-based allpack has also used the six-figure investment to commemorate four of the industry's best-known pioneers, by naming the refurbished areas in their honour.

From small beginnings, the family firm has grown into a team of almost 50 people and counts household names such as Dunelm, Travis Perkins, Wickes, Mazda and Volvo among its growing portfolio of blue-chip clients.

As it prepares for the next stage of its journey of expansion, it has refurbished and remodelled its head office at Middlemore Lane West, Aldridge, near Walsall.

On the back of increased demand for its packaging products and design services, it has also invested in a new off-site storage warehouse. This ensures it has the added capacity required to meet customer needs speedily.

Its innovation hub, as well as a number of client meeting rooms and staff areas, have all been revamped and redesigned to make them more people-friendly and fit for the future.

The four packaging pioneers honoured include:

• Richard Gurley Drew – an American inventor who first developed masking tape and cellophane tape in the 1920s
• Robert Gair – who stumbled across the idea of creating the world's first folding carton in 1890
• Eric Fawcett and Reginald Gibson – two scientists who are credited with the discovery of polythene in 1933

And the family firm has also recognised its own Midlands roots by naming another of the areas the Somerville Room - in memory of the Sutton Coldfield road where the company founders lived and grew up.

Jim Clarke, Founder and Chairman of allpack Packaging, said: "We have a passion for packaging and this marks an unprecedented investment in our operations during this milestone year.

"It represented the perfect opportunity for us to pay tribute to four of the industry's most influential inventors and pioneers.

"Thanks to the home-grown skills of our team, we have expanded from a few hundred products and a handful of staff, into one of the UK's leading names in packaging supplies and bespoke solutions.

"We now have more than 5,000 product lines available for fast delivery nationwide."

Its unique manufacturing capability and capacity means that each year it can supply over 10,000 tonnes of film, 600 million sq m of tape and 100,000 kilometres of strapping – enough to go around the world two-and-a-half times.

He added: "With our green credentials and track record for developing unique solutions to packaging challenges, we are proud to be trusted by so many household names and be able contribute to their own success.

"Many of the packages delivered to doors up and down the country every day, as well as overseas, start life in our warehouses.

"And as the popularity of online retailing gathers further pace, we are gearing up for new era of major natural growth.

"This twin investment in modernising and expanding our facilities creates a strong platform for us to continue to develop, remain agile, and stay at the forefront of packaging innovation."