Benson Group Hosts International Packaging Group Meeting

October 2011

Benson Group, one of the UK's leading privately owned carton printers, played host to the International Packaging Group's annual meeting, October 3rd to 5th, at its Benson Box, Bardon, Leicestershire, headquarters and Stapleford Park Hotel, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

The International Packaging Group (IPG) is a worldwide association of folding carton producers. A total of 28 members, including partners, visited the UK for this latest group conference.

Commenting on IPG and Benson Group's opportunity to host the event, Nick Benson, Commercial Director of Benson Group, said: "The group provides a platform to discuss issues in packaging and to debate factors such as the global state of the economy that affect every business and packaging company. It was decided that it was the UK's time to play host for the 2011 conference, and we were more than delighted to welcome our carton producing friends from across the globe to the delights of Leicestershire."

The conference itinerary covered a wide range of topics, including Lean Six Sigma lean manufacturing, and the technical aspects of colour management. Delegates were given tours of the Benson Box food packaging production plant in Leicestershire and the group's Medica Packaging pharmaceutical carton production site in Crewe, Cheshire.

A full partners' programme ran alongside the conference, which included a visit to Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, and a tour of Lincoln Cathedral. The grand IPG conference dinner was held at the stunning Belvoir Castle, home of The Duke and Duchess of Rutland.

The final day of conference included presentations by leading suppliers in the industry, including Heidelberg, Manroland, Bobst, Esko, Sun Chemical and International Paper. A representative of the Bank of England was also on hand to give an update with regard to global economic trading conditions.

IPG membership extends through North and South America, with members from Argentina, Brasil, Canada, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico and USA; Asia / Southern Hemisphere, with members from Australia, China, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia and South Africa; and Europe, with members located in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, as well the UK.

About Benson Group
Benson Group is one of the UK's leading privately owned printed carton suppliers, producing packaging products for both the food and pharmaceutical industries for a wide range of UK and European customers.

The business manufactures packaging products in four production sites covering in excess of 400,000 sq ft. Benson Group achieves annual sales in excess of £110 million. Food manufacturers are the main customers at Bardon and for the company's two North East facilities in Newcastle and Gateshead. The fourth site in Crewe serves pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. In recent years, investment in new plant and equipment across the four sites totals in excess of £25 million.

Benson Group creates packaging for many well-known companies, brands and retailers. Key account clients across the Group include Northern Foods, Reckitt Benkiser, Greencore and Samworth Brothers. The company is an approved supplier for all of the UK's leading retail chains. Food and pharmaceutical packaging is exported to customers in countries throughout Europe.

For further information on the Benson Group visit the www.bensongroup.co.uk web site.

Press Information

For further information on Benson Group, its operations, or on packaging products or packaging issues please contact:

Russell J Hicks

Genesis Marketing Services (Milton Keynes)
101 Hesketh Road,
Yardley Gobion,
Northamptonshire NN12 7TX
Tel/Fax: 01908 54 33 58
Mobile: 07885 852 428
e-mail: Russ.Hicks@Genesis-Marketing.com
Web: http://genesisnews.wordpress.com/