Corrugated cardboard packaging solutions specialist, Lesters, is investing over £2m into a new headquarters in Cannock, enabling the company to turn its existing facility in Burntwood into a high-volume production centre of excellence.
Lesters, which has just recorded its best-ever year, is capitalising on demand for its full-service ‘eco-system’ offer by taking on the 101,000 sq ft space situated just off Watling Street. The expansive HQ provides manufacturing, warehousing and office space.
Ten new jobs will be created initially, with high-volume flatbed die-cutting, specialist manufacturing, and distribution set to be up and running by November and all office staff moved across by the new year.
“This is a clear signal of our intent to be at £30m annual revenues by 2030,” commented Billy Hutchinson, Managing Director of Lesters.
“We’d outgrown our current footprint and, when the Hawkins Drive opportunity came up, it was an easy decision to expand and refocus our operations to make us more efficient and give our customers access to even greater capacity.
“Whilst our high-volume manufacturing will continue in Burntwood, the new site will be our administrative centre, warehousing and stores, not to mention home to lower volume and specialist packaging manufacture.”
He continued: “This will see us invest in a new strapping line, new waste extraction system, a new two-piece stitcher and a state-of-the-art conveyor system that will reduce the number of manual movements required.”
Lesters, which currently employs 64 people, is the UK’s leading independent manufacturer of large format corrugated cases and high-performance packaging.
Through its thriving design team and added value services, such as recycling and logistics, it has created an ecosystem capable of producing and delivering tens of millions of boxes every year – supporting clients in 3pl, ecommerce, freight-forwarding and automotive.
The additional space generated by the new Cannock site has also given the business the freedom to explore the purchase of a second TCY Jumbo Casemaker. When it installed the initial machine in 2021 it was an operational first in the UK and gave Lesters access to world class quality and efficiencies in large format and heavy-duty case work.
“This technology has played a key role in our consistent growth, so the opportunity to get a second TCY Jumbo Casemaker would be transformational in taking us to the next level,” added Billy.
“Talks with the equipment manufacturer are going well and we expect to have the second machine operational within 18 months.”
Lesters has come a long way since 2020, achieving strong year-on-year growth thanks to its commitment to innovation, investment and its people.
The new HQ gives it the perfect platform to expand sales by a further 25% within three years and 50% over the next decade.
For more articles like this, visit our Leadership channel
