Lesters Packaging marked its 40-year milestone in style alongside the news that turnover has risen to £18 million.
The Burntwood-based business, which specialises in the design and production of heavy-duty cardboard packaging solutions, is experiencing whirlwind growth.
It’s aiming to build on the £7m purchase of two state-of-the-art TCY large format casemakers that have transformed production at its Burntwood facility.
A dedicated photography and videography studio has also been launched to help promote the new large box offering and to increase the content on social media channels.
The manufacturer offers an extensive range of solutions from corrugated sheet board to large format packaging and high volume glued cases.
Founded in 1983 by Stephen Hutchinson, Lesters started out in a 1000 sq ft unit in Walsall and a static caravan that was used as the ‘office’.
“In the early days we were focused on selling used cardboard boxes and tea chests and we had very little technology in the business,” said Billy Hutchinson, Managing Director and son of Stephen.
“It was all built by my dad’s hard work and his ability to sell, and these two traits still drive Lesters today.
“All we’ve done is added some state-of-the-art equipment and industry-leading processes into the mix and this has helped us become the UK’s leading specialist in big box packaging for the aerospace, automotive, bike, manufacturing, and third-party logistics space.”
Billy added: “There have been some big milestones along the way, with the first being our major machinery investment in 2009 then the move to our current home in Burntwood two years later.
“The pandemic saw online shopping soar and our boxes were in demand from retailers and the medical sector. We experienced 120 per cent growth during those difficult times.”
Lesters celebrated its 40th birthday with a big party for team members and their families.
