Left to right: Yuta Matsumoto (Sanwa), Michael Tew, Neil Gaskin (Sanwa), Yusuke Nakano (Sanwa), Jay Dooley and Steve Bates.
Midland Regional Printers Ltd (MRP) is a family-owned specialist packaging and label solutions provider, serving businesses across the UK. Based in Nottingham, MRP offers a comprehensive range of services, including full CAD and artwork design, project management from concept to completion, in-house finishing, and co-packaging and fulfilment options.
Established in 1969, MRP brings over 55 years of expertise to the industry. The company operates from two state-of-the-art facilities in New Basford, Nottingham, spanning a total of 50,000 sq ft. With a team of 63 employees and a £9m turnover in 2024, MRP partners with both major national corporations and growing businesses. The company serves key industries such as toys and games, beauty, pharmaceuticals, vaping, retail, and FMCG.
Well Equipped
The company is well invested, with new equipment a priority as the company looks to continue its growth trajectory. Print is undertaken on a state-of-the-art Heidelberg XL 106.
MRP has also recently installed a Fasline laminator from Lamina Systems, which enhances the company’s ability to provide sheet-to-sheet mounting of paper to board and board to board, whether solid or corrugated and with full servo control; it ensures edge-to-edge registration accuracy of less than 1mm and automatic feeding. It can seamlessly mount two sheets of board of varying thicknesses or paper to board. It is also capable of mounting various substrates to both open and closed-faced corrugated board.
Left to right: Matt Seaford and Steve Bates.
To further increase capabilities in die-cutting, MRP have two Sanwa die-cutters, including the latest addition, the Sanwa 1060 SCB Axia. “This machine is a game-changer for our packaging division, offering exceptional die-cutting and blanking capabilities that significantly expand our capacity,” says Steve Bates, Managing Director.
MRP also operates three Vega folder gluers, which are integral to the company’s high-speed packaging production. These machines ensure the highest standards of accuracy and efficiency for folding and gluing complex packaging designs.
Additionally, MRP maintain a fully equipped label production facility, enabling them to offer an extensive range of label solutions for every need, from small-scale to large-volume orders.
“Together, these cutting-edge machines empower MRP to provide an unparalleled level of precision, efficiency, and versatility, ensuring we deliver exceptional products for all our customers,” adds Bates.
Latest Investment
“At MRP, we continuously seek to enhance our capabilities and provide the best possible service to our customers. Our long-standing relationship with Sanwa and Neil Gaskin have been a cornerstone of our success. Over the years, their exceptional service, quality, and ongoing support have helped us achieve our goals,” says Bates.
“After careful consideration, extensive research, and multiple trials, we identified the need for a new die-cutting and blanking machine to keep pace with increasing demand in our packaging division. The decision was made to invest in the Sanwa 1060 SCB Axia, a machine that perfectly complements our existing equipment. This new addition significantly boosts our die-cutting capacity, allowing us to take on larger, more complex projects with greater precision and efficiency,” he continues.
“The total investment in this new machine was £450,000, a commitment that underscores our dedication to innovation and continuous improvement,” explains Matt Seaford, Sales Director. “The Sanwa 1060 SCB Axia will work in tandem with an existing Sanwa die-cutter, ensuring that we can meet the diverse needs of our customers, while maintaining the high standards of quality and performance that MRP is known for.”
Solid Relationship
“Our experience working with Sanwa for the installation and training of our new machinery was nothing short of excellent. From the beginning, the entire process was handled with the utmost professionalism, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition as we integrated the new equipment into our operations,” says Kate Tew, Marketing Director. “The installation team were highly skilled, working diligently to set up the Sanwa 1060 SCB Axia with precision and care. They ensured that everything was up and running seamlessly, minimising any disruption to our production schedule. As this was our first blanking machine, we had a few learning curve challenges, however these were addressed and resolved quickly.”
She continues, “Equally impressive was the training provided by Sanwa. The trainers demonstrated an exceptional level of expertise and professionalism, but what truly stood out was their friendly and approachable manner. They took the time to thoroughly guide our team through the ins and outs of the new machine, ensuring everyone felt confident and well-prepared. The training sessions were detailed, focusing on every aspect of the machine’s operation and maintenance, so we could maximise its capabilities from day one. Overall, working with Sanwa has been a highly positive experience, and we look forward to continuing our successful partnership in the future.”
For the Future
“Investment is a cornerstone of our business,” concludes Bates. “In the last few years alone, we have invested almost £2.5m in equipment and for our next phase of growth, we are looking at choosing in a new folder gluer and potentially a new flexo label press. We are certainly excited by what the future holds for us.”
