£3m investment to boost productivity at packaging firm

A multi-million pound investment in machinery has been unveiled by specialist printed flexible packaging company Roberts Mart & Co Ltd at its facility on the outskirts of Leeds.

The firm has purchased the 10 colour Allstein printing press at a total cost of over £3m, enabling an increase to its flexo printing firepower that will bring added internal efficiencies and quicker changeover times.

It supports the sixth-generation family-run business in achieving growth of 25% in its targeted sectors, such as FMCG, by helping brands to get their goods to market even faster than before.

This second piece of machinery which Roberts Mart has bought from the German supplier is part of a long-term growth strategy.

The machine will be put to work across a number of different product ranges, handling materials such as paper, polythene, polyester and polyethylene.

Managing director William Roberts said: “We have a great relationship with Allstein, who give us superb back-up support and service.

“The press is easy to operate and will provide us with even quicker processing of different materials.

“This is all part of our ambitious growth plan put in place back in 2004, since which the company has broken into multiple new markets resulting in a trebling of the head count at the site.

“We are now producing packaging that can now be found in every aisle in every supermarket in the UK.

“Our growth and success is definitely down to our independence, which means we have the ability to react quickly to changing markets.

“Plus the fact that we refuse to compromise on buying the best-of-range machinery, coupled with employing some of the most experienced flexible packaging professionals in the industry.”

Further investment in plant is also in the pipeline for the company, with planning permission in place to expand its facility by building a 55,000 sq ft extension, a project which has been earmarked for late 2021.

Gordon Whitelaw, managing director of Allstein GmbH, added: “We are again thrilled to partner with Roberts Mart & Co Ltd and support them in their expansion and pursuit of excellence.

“The mix of our disruptive technologies with their vision and drive will help set new milestones in terms of productivity.”