The UK's fastest growing food packaging manufacturer

The Benson Group is the UK's leading privately owned printed carton supplier, producing packaging product for both the food and pharmaceutical industries. The company employs some 790 personnel across four sites. Headquartered in the Midlands, the company also owns production sites in the North West and North East of the country.

The Group's philosophy with regard to packaging is based on the "Three P's" - protection, preservation, and promotion. Packaging exists to serve all three elements.

Food packaging should be designed to protect the product from the point of production through to the point of use, helping to maintain the product in its original condition. It should aid the distribution and storage of the product.

Packaging should assist in the preservation of the product, keeping both liquids and solids fresh and suitable for use. According to World Health Organisation statistics, food wastage in the third world can be as high as 50%, whilst in developed economies as low as 3%. Much of this difference is due to good quality packaging.

Cardboard food packaging should aid the promotion of the product by helping to establish brand recognition and playing a role in establishing brand loyalty. It is also required to convey instructions for the product, warnings, package contents, and other statutory requirements.

Food packaging production is centred on the company's headquarters in Leicester, where the company owns 130,000 sq ft of production and warehouse space. Food packaging manufacturers are also catered for at the company's two North East facilities in Newcastle and Gateshead. These two sites have a combined total of 200,000 sq ft of manufacturing and warehouse space. Since 2000, investment in new plant and equipment across all Group sites totals in excess of £25 million.

The focus for food is fast and efficient production, from design right through to delivery. Presses are equipped to print UV based inks and coatings for the most hygienic packaging products. Ink laboratories at food sites are fully equipped with the Vale-Tech ink mixing system to ensure accurate and repeatable colour composition, whilst staff are fully trained in all aspects of packaging hygiene and food safety issues.

One of the key points of focus for the business is operational efficiency. This is monitored on a daily basis through an industrial strength management information system. The Epicor system was designed to provide MIS for companies with a £50 to £100 million turnover, and is therefore more robust than the typical "print-focused" MIS product. The system provides detailed management information on performance within the business, including weekly updates on profitability by account. The system software is currently being upgraded to link in with a new web site development that will provide customers with stock list information and a call-off facility. Operational efficiency is also enhanced by investment in new production equipment at all sites on a regular basis, with a focus on buying the right product for the task to be accomplished.

Benson Group has been in the business of manufacturing food packaging products for over 85 years, with its origins in servicing the Leicestershire shoe and hosiery industries. The market has evolved, as have the company's products, and as a result of continued investment in both people and plant, the company has grown to now achieve annual sales in the region of £85 million, with growth fuelled both organically and by acquisition.