Herbert Walkers has invested in excess of £3m in its Yorkshire, UK-based production facility in response to increased demand for its services and anticipation of further growth.
The investment programme, delivered over two years, includes new equipment and improvements to the building to drive efficiency. It also involves a comprehensive project to monitor and manage energy consumption, reducing operational costs and mapping a journey to carbon neutrality as part of the company’s sustainability commitment.
Amongst the new machinery installed at the factory as part of the investment programme is a BOBST VISIONFOIL 104, capable of foiling 7,500 sheets per hour, complementing the capacity of Herbert Walkers’ three existing Bobst foiling machines. The company has also bought a new Signature folder-gluer machine, a Bobst Novacut 106 ER die-cutter, and various folding and packing machines.
Improvements to the building include new windows throughout the office areas and a new floor for the factory to help enhance the clean environment of the BRC, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified factory.
Mike Lammas, Managing Director, comments, “We have seen increased demand for our printing and finishing expertise for the packaging sector as retailers and brands re-shore their requirements to the UK and work with experienced partners like Herbert Walkers to overcome supply chain and lead time challenges. Our investment programme is all about increasing our capacity with the most advanced equipment from the industry’s premium OEMs, while maintaining high standards of quality across a full offering of printing and finishing services. In this way, we can continue to offer our customers a joined up approach, a reliable service and full accountability from a single print partner.”
