This year, the company, which offers a total hands on packaging service, from concept/design through to production, has taken delivery of a new BOBST EXPERTFOLD 145 at its 16,000 sq ft gluing and finishing factory in Clayton le Moors, and has added a Century MWB 1300Q to its die-cutting lines at its 25,000 sq ft site in Rishton dedicated solely producing up to five colour flexo printed and die-cut packaging.

The new additions ensure the family-run business, established in 1981, can continue to deliver on-demand quality service to customers and trade partners for years to come, as well as meet ever-growing requirements for more technical, innovative and intricate packaging formats and designs.

Peter Ingham, Sales Director, East Lancashire Box Co, said, “Changing market demands, the need for ever more creative solutions in SRP, is driving our investment strategy. However, our focus has always been on efficiency to achieve and secure long-term success. So, when it comes to machine investments, we must be sure that they tick all the boxes in terms of quality output, speed and precision. Customers are looking for SRP with greater shelf standout. At one time SRP was purely about functionality – it served a purpose to transport goods to store and then store products on shelf. Now, SRP is that and more; it serves as a marketing tool, aesthetically pleasing to appeal to consumers through high-impact graphics and standout designs.”

Ingham added, “The new Bobst gluer is another asset in our folding-gluing armour and increases capacity for producing small to large crash-lock boxes, which is where the market is going. We operate in a relatively niche market, and have the ability to manufacture lower volumes for customers than many of our competitors. Just because they don’t want the volume, doesn’t mean they don’t want the quality, speed of service or innovation. Our new gluer and die-cutter enables us to deliver on all three points while providing our team with greater versatility and flexibility in production.”

The machines complement a strong line-up of existing machines at the company’s two sites, including a further two Bobst Expertfolds, two Bobst Visioncut flatbed die-cutters and two Topra 4/5 colour printers, purposefully chosen to meet the needs of our customers servicing the Supermarket businesses.