A major investment by Boxshop to transform its operational capabilities will see the corrugated packaging specialist deliver the most ‘complex and high-quality’ solutions for sectors including the whisky industry, its MD has told Packaging Scotland.
East Kilbride-based Boxshop, which is part of the Logson Group, is undertaking the creation of a new 20,000 sq ft designated case making facility, a reconfiguration of existing die cutting and multi-point gluing machinery, and the installation of a new Bobst Expertflex six-colour printer.
Despite confirming the investment during a time of economic uncertainty, MD Jennifer Riddell explained that it is ‘critical’ to look to move forward, even in times of adversity.
“To stand still as a business would be a real mistake,” she said. “The industry is moving forward and we have made a group decision to invest multi-millions of pounds to make changes to the business to get us ready for our future growth – and I think that’s vital. We can offer our customers a better solution for all their corrugated packaging needs.”
The new designated case making facility will allow the business to deliver ‘maximum output’ to support its high-volume customers, while the reconfiguration of the die cutting and multi-point gluing machinery will improve operational efficiencies. The new Bobst Expertflex six-colour printer will deliver ‘best in class’ print capabilities.
Existing customers are to be invited to view the new facilities and technologies once works and installations are complete, with Jennifer saying that the firm is keen to show them how they can benefit from the print capabilities of the new machinery.
One of the sectors being targeted in particular by Boxshop, is the food and drinks industry. “We will have, in a few months’ time, the capabilities to start to deliver products into that industry that are right up to the most complex, high-quality print solutions,” Jennifer stated. “It’s an industry we’ll very much be looking to expand in.”
The machinery will help to support the demand for aesthetically pleasing packaging. However, Jennifer added that it will also aid sustainability aspirations due to corrugated packaging’s recyclable qualities, and also better energy consumption from the new technology from its more efficient running capability.
“It’s a very capable and controlled level of machine,” Jennifer added, referring to the Bobst Expertflex, before saying that the technology used to run material through allows for ‘very accurate’ print registration and thus ‘very efficient’ runs.
“We should have less waste because of this. It can also run very quickly and therefore produce product in a shorter period of time.”
Despite the major investment in equipment, Jennifer said the ‘phenomenal’ team at Boxshop remains the main driver of the firm’s success.
“We can have all the best equipment in the world, but the best team is required first, and we have that here,” she said, adding that there’s been an air of excitement about the changes.
“If you actively invest in a workplace where people’s careers are based and share that information – and we’ve shared this journey every step of the way with all our team – then it really helps people enjoy the journey.”
Members of the team in Scotland have already started undertaking work across Logson Group’s sites elsewhere in the UK in order to familiarise themselves with the machinery, allowing Boxshop to hit the ground running with training once work is complete on the investments early in 2023.
“I think 2023 will be a fantastic year for us,” Jennifer added. “It’s difficult times for most businesses and a lot of our customers work in very competitive markets… for us it’s just about getting in the best place to provide that excellent service to them.”
