After a highly successful 2020, an award-winning Nottingham packaging manufacturer has invested £1.1 million in a new cutting and creasing machine.
Colwick-based The Wilkins Group, which makes packaging for many of the UK’s best-known supermarkets, has enjoyed a very productive 12 months - and Justin Wilkins, sales and marketing director for the firm is determined to build on that momentum by increasing production capacity.
He said: “We’re keenly aware that Covid-19 has wreaked havoc in some sectors, but the last year or so has been good for us. We are extremely grateful and fortunate to be in an industry that has not been stopped due to the pandemic.
“We’ve created the food packaging for many of the leading supermarkets during the pandemic and our team has worked incredibly hard to make sure our clients’ requirements have been met.
“But with our turnover now projected to increase again in 2021, it’s definitely time to boost productivity by adding a new die-cutting machine to our Nottingham production facility.”
In 2020, the company’s turnover at their Nottingham headquarters topped £34 million for the first time and, according to Justin, that figure is expected to rise to around £37 million in 2021.
Having previously invested in two similar machines, the Wilkins Group knows from experience that in addition to delivering improved consistency, the new Swiss -built Bobst Expertcut PER 106 will increase existing production capacity significantly.
But as regards the firm’s broader recipe for success, Justin insists that his family’s approach to business has remained very straightforward throughout the pandemic.
He added: “We’ve simply kept our heads down, kept our workforce intact, kept our customers supplied and kept our visitors safe.
“That’s everything we could realistically do as a business – but with our forecasts indicating a very positive year ahead, I’m happy to say it’s been the right approach.”
The Wilkins Group, which recently won the title of Midlands Family Business of the Year, is due to take delivery of the new machine in June 2021, increasing its capacity to satisfy its existing client base, while facilitating further expansion as new opportunities emerge.
For more information, visit www.wilkins.co.uk.