East Lancashire Box Co futureproofs production with double machine investment

Finishing Solutions

East Lancashire Box Company has shored up production and capacity at its two north west sites with fresh investment into new die cutting and folding gluing technology.

This year, the manufacturer, which offers a total packaging service, from concept and design through to production, has taken delivery of a new Bobst Expertfold 145 at its gluing and finishing factory in Clayton le Moors, and has added a Century MWB 1300Q to its die cutting lines at its ft site in Rishton, dedicated solely to up to five colour flexo printing and die cutting.

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 at East Lancashire Box Co, said: ‘Changing market demands, the need for ever more creative solutions in shelf ready packaging, 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 shelf ready packaging with greater standout. At one time shelf ready packaging was purely about functionality – it served a purpose to transport goods to store and then store products on shelf. Now, shelf ready packaging is that and more; it serves as a marketing tool, aesthetically pleasing to appeal to consumers through high impact graphics and unique designs.’

Peter 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 assets 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.