The Paper Cup Company brings manufacturing back to the UK
A LANCASHIRE paper cup manufacturer and distributor has invested £250,000 to bring production back to Clitheroe from China.
The Paper Cup Company currently manufactures around 10 million paper cups a year from a factory in China.
In April, it will officially open its new manufacturing unit in Clitheroe, having received European Union funding to help support the £250,000 investment.
The company, which specialises in printing paper cups from minimum volumes of 1,000 to in excess of 1 million cups, told TheBusinessDesk.com that it plans to bring around half of all production back to the UK gradually – with one machine in situ and another two currently being shipped over.
The company employs around 10 staff – having taken on an extra three people in the manufacturing plant.
Owner Mark Woodward founded the company in 2005, after he was made redundant in his 50s following a long career in the packaging industry.
Today, the company is on target to hit a turnover of £2m for the year to April 2012 and it plans to double that to £4m next year.
To meet that target the company has created a new European sales office adjoining the manufacturing unit and expects to invest in a further 20 machines over the next three years.
Mr Woodward said having a UK-based manufacturing unit will enable short lead times for customers and ensure control through every stage of the cup manufacturing process.
He told TheBusinessDesk.com: “People want things delivered tomorrow and you can’t do that from China.
“This investment is going to help us achieve our growth targets. It gives us a competitive edge on other people in the market place. We can now offer a speed of service that is not available elsewhere.”
He added: “Our growth shows that customers are looking for a fast, reliable service, delivering a quality product in small quantities and the UK is the right place to base this manufacturing plant to serve Europe.”
The new manufacturing plant will be officially opened on April 10, by Nigel Evans, MP of the Ribble Valley. Caffeine Rush, a local coffee cart franchise based in Clitheroe will be serving drinks at the event using the newly manufactured paper cups. Around 50 local dignitaries will be attending the event including the mayor of the Ribble Valley.
