Fast-growing packaging specialist Lesters is investing £2 million in a new 101,000 sq ft headquarters in Cannock, creating 10 new jobs as it prepares for further growth.
The firm, which has just recorded its best-ever year, is expanding into a site on Hawkins Drive to meet growing demand for its full-service packaging offer.
The new premises will provide manufacturing, warehousing and office space, allowing the company to turn its current Mount Road factory in Burntwood into a high-volume production centre of excellence.
High-volume flatbed die-cutting, specialist manufacturing, and distribution operations are expected to be up and running by November, with all office staff due to move across by the new year.
Managing Director Billy Hutchinson said: “This is a clear signal of our intent to be at £30 million annual revenues by 2030.
“We’d outgrown our current footprint and, when the Hawkins Drive opportunity came up, it was an easy decision to expand and refocus our operations to make us more efficient and give our customers access to even greater capacity.
“Whilst our high-volume manufacturing will continue in Burntwood, the new site will be our administrative centre, warehousing and stores, not to mention home to lower volume and specialist packaging manufacture.”
The investment will also fund a new strapping line, waste extraction system, two-piece stitcher and a state-of-the-art conveyor system that will reduce the number of manual movements required.
Lesters currently employs 64 people and describes itself as the UK’s leading independent manufacturer of large format corrugated cases and high-performance packaging.
The new Cannock site is allowing Lesters to explore the purchase of a second TCY Jumbo Casemaker, following its investment in the first machine in 2021.
The original machine was the first of its kind to be operational in the UK and gave Lesters access to greater quality and efficiency in large-format and heavy-duty casework.
Billy said: “Talks with the equipment manufacturer are going well and we expect to have the second machine operational within 18 months.”
Lesters is targeting a further 25% increase in sales over the next three years, and hopes to grow sale by 50% over the next decade.
