Macfarlane Group has marked 75 years of business with celebrations amongst its staff across the UK and Europe. The business was founded on 26th April 1949 by the late Lord Macfarlane and 75 years later, the company has leading UK positions in the distribution of protective packaging products and the design and production of bespoke protective packaging for high value and fragile products.
From a small office in Glasgow, Macfarlane Group has grown significantly over the decades and today supplies more than 600,000 product lines to 20,000 industrial and retail customers. It has 1,700 suppliers and employs over 1,000 people across its 40 sites, principally in the UK, as well as in Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands and is listed on the main London Stock Exchange.
Commenting on reaching the 75th anniversary, Peter Atkinson, Chief Executive of Macfarlane Group said: “We are excited to reach this significant anniversary in the company’s history and we wanted to celebrate this date with our valued colleagues. We would also like to thank our thousands of customers and suppliers for the trust they place in us and for their continued support. The commitment and diligence of our people around the business has been critical to our success as we help our customers to find the best products and services for their businesses. We are looking forward to continued success in the future.”
Macfarlane Packaging Distribution is the UK market leader in the supply of protective packaging materials to industrial and retail businesses. Customers realise efficiency and cost benefits through Macfarlane’s expertise in pack design, the breadth of its supplier base, its stock and serve business model and its ability to provide independent guidance and advice.
Macfarlane Design and Manufacture provides bespoke protective packaging to industrial customers requiring high levels of protection for expensive, fragile and sensitive products. Through its specialist design and manufacturing skills the business helps customers to reduce the cost of damages and improve their operational efficiency.
Lord Macfarlane, who passed away in 2021 aged 95, was knighted in 1983 and became a peer, Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden, in 1991 and a Knight of the Thistle in 1996. He retired as Chairman of Macfarlane Group in 1998 having created one of the UK’s most admired “small cap” businesses. Nonetheless he maintained a close interest in the business throughout his retirement.