Our first company vehicle was purchased in June 1989, a fuel guzzling (12 miles to the gallon) Ford Transit van. A former college friend, Matt Smith, became the first employee, driving the company vehicle. The company’s first venture into cartons came in November of the same year when Chris picked up on the idea that Supermarkets disposed of good quality boxes.

Chris and Matt would ask the supermarkets for their unwanted boxes, then offered them to customers who had a requirement for products without the want or need for new boxes.

In 1991 we began to cement our foundations and purchased land on Carley Drive. The initial build was a unit 3000SqFt in size and took around 5 months to build.

In 1993 we made our first venture into manufacturing and bought a single pass Autobox machine. This gave us the ability to manufacture bespoke cardboard boxes in house. It became evident that there was a growing market for small runs of bespoke boxes and we were able to provide this niche service to the local area.

Our investment continued in 1996 with the purchase of our roller press die cutter. This gave us the capability to manufacture more styles of boxes by using bespoke tooling.

The machine was purchased based on its size – capable of running die cuts to any length and up-to 2m on the width – and ease of set up. To date, the Shearline is continually used for regular repeats and new jobs.

In 1997 we purchased our first 7.5t vehicle, an Iveco Cargo.

In 2010 we were the chosen company to manufacture the carton trays for the 2011 government census, an order that required 100 tons of paper.

In 2011 we integrated a brand new Autobox Kinetic box making machine. This ran alongside our earlier model though the machine offered more efficiency in setting up and running. It also gave us the ability to manufacture even bigger boxes!

In 2014 we have made significant steps to update the business into modern times.

Our brochure launch, to tie in with our 25th Anniversary, was soon followed by the launch of our new website in October.

Investment has also continued throughout this year. We have integrated a semi-automatic gluer to our production line earlier in the year and in September 2014 we took delivery of a new Solarco box making machine.

Alongside the Autobox, we now have the ability to run small runs of bespoke cartons as well as a wide range of corrugated wraps without the need for tooling. We are able to add benefits such as hand holes, drop-down sections as well as being able to print single colour onto small runs of bespoke cartons.

Whilst Chris’ children, David and Elizabeth Holdsworth, had worked for the company in their junior years, In 2015 David Holdsworth began his involvement directly with customers, sales and our supply base.

Having spent his earlier years working in all the different departments, as an office junior, floor sweeper, factory worker, van washer, and anything the company (and Chris!) generally needed doing, having completed his degree in Business Studies, David started to become involved with the business’ sales and marketing.

David’s first main project was to create a new website for the company, working alongside a local and independent web-designer. The website allowed us to develop a modern company brochure so that customers were able to interact with us online, and view our manufacturing capabilities and stock-holding.

As time and industry settled after Covid, our customer base eventually ‘returned to normal’. For 2-3 years our larger customers became more retail and leisure, and we were able to supply those, along with our historical core customer base within a more industrial, engineering sector. As time passed, the demand for leisure goods, and changes with consumer spending, has resulted in our core business returning to the industrial sectors.

We have though proven in our abilities to supply a wide range of customers and sectors. During this period we have had a transition of staff, with a number of office and factory personnel leaving the business to retire, gracefully. The business remains thankful to all those who have contributed over the years and does try to remain in contact with periodic gatherings to reminisce (not all about packaging!).

There is also sadness when former staff pass away and we have experienced that with a number of persons over recent years (and years that have followed) and our love and best wishes are always with family, friends and former colleagues.

There was significant investment in 2023 as we took the opportunity to purchase machinery from an independent company who were ceasing trading due to retirement.

Carol and Jonathon of Porter Packaging had decided to retire and withdraw from packaging and we were part of a collective group of companies to purchase machinery, and the opportunity to connect with many of their long-standing customers.

The introduction of our hand-platen, a small die cutting machine, has given us the ability to produce smaller die cuts more efficiently, but also convert a range of other materials – such as solidboard, correx, plastic, gaskets, etc.

Our core business of stocking and selling packaging, making cardboard boxes and fittings remains the same, and we hope that we can continue to service and supply our customer base in the local and greater areas in a manner that benefits their business, and ensures continuity of a consistent supply. As technology’s advance and improvements with the machines being built and available, the business will continue to consider when and if a time is suitable to invest.

We will endeavour to keep you posted with significant changes and activity.

Thank you for taking the time to read about our history, business. If we supply you with packaging, thank you for your business. If you are looking for a supplier of packaging, we hope that you will give us the opportunity to service your business and show you what we can offer as a supplier. If you are simply reading for pleasure and knowledge, hope it has been a good read and thanks for your interest!