March 19, 2024

Belmont Packaging – 40 years and counting…

Kate Hulley, Managing Director

Specialist corrugated cardboard box manufacturer Belmont Packaging is currently marking a landmark year in its history. The Wigan-based business is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2018 after the business was started in 1978 by Mike Moloney.

Mike’s daughter, Kate Hulley, bought the business in 2013. She is currently marking her own landmark of heading and owning the business for five years. She said: “We will be celebrating both occasions with our 23 staff shortly, maybe a trip to the races for everyone.”

Business is currently booming for Belmont Packaging with new customers coming on board all the time including the production of shelf-ready packaging for the prestigious tea making brand Taylors of Harrogate.

Sales are doing extremely well and Kate is very optimistic about Belmont’s future. “All our staff have just enjoyed a bumper profit share which is good news for everyone. Employee welfare is very important to us at Belmont and it is good to be able to share our success with everyone,” said Kate. “In return I know that our staff will always go the extra mile when necessary.”

Kate has also recently taken on more new members of staff as the company continues to forge ahead.

The company works for some of the UK’s best known household names and several Blue Chip companies, producing a range of innovative and eye-catching packaging solutions, many of which can be put straight on to a sales shelf.

Belmont now supplies customers all over the UK with over 90 per cent ordering repeat business.

The range of products displayed in Belmont Packaging continues to increase but already includes frozen and chilled foods, cosmetics, confectionery, biscuits and cakes.

Customers are drawn to Belmont because of the shelf-ready and retail ready convenience packaging and also the eye-catching designs they continue to create. Other products in Belmont’s portfolio include countertop displays, free standing display units, transit packaging, trade packaging and ecommerce packaging.

After Kate took over the business, she went back to basics and began to concentrate on the four-colour HQPP flexo-printing and multipoint gluing process.

Her aim is to make Belmont’s products stand out from the rest and be able to sit directly on a shop shelf or end of aisle display.

Because of the multi-point gluing system, Belmont products have the ability to be different with technical, eye catching and unique designs often used.

Looking to the future, Kate knows it will be the capacity to be flexible and respond to customer requirements which will keep Belmont moving forward in a very busy marketplace.

Other developments at Belmont Packaging include an investment in a sample table which enables a range of sample boxes to be put together for customers to see before placing a final order. Short-run and small orders can also be easily completed with this new facility.

Another investment is in a new green geothermal heating system which will contribute towards the office heating during the winter months. Along with solar panels on the roof, and Tesla batteries to store the solar energy generated, this shows a real commitment to renewable energy by this Greater Manchester business.

The Boxed-Up Packaging ecommerce arm of the business is also experiencing continued growth. This supplies to the domestic market as well as the commercial with smaller quantities delivered next day.

Boxes are available to buy in packs of 25 in various sizes and can be delivered the next working day.

This facility is very popular with people moving house who are looking for good quality strong boxes to use for packing up their belongings.

Kate said: “This service is available across the UK and boxes can be ordered on-line. This is another growth area for our business.”

Boxed-Up works with the Trustpilot review system for on-line businesses so potential customers can check what others are saying before they make a purchase. Kate is very proud to say Boxed Up has a 5 star Trustpilot rating.

For Kate, who marks her five years at the helm in November, says 2018 has been another extremely busy year.

“It’s really hard work but I do enjoy it. My dad still keeps in touch and pops in every now and again to see how we’re all getting on but he is really pleased with progress in recent years.

“We continue to look at new investments and grow sales with new customers. Steady growth and progress helps us to increase our annual turnover.”