A brand new factory making sustainable tinplate packaging has been opened in Manchester by Invopak, a leading distributor of rigid packaging to the industry. After half a century as a supplier of other people’s products, the company has taken the major step of manufacturing its own in response to post-Brexit supply chain issues and fluctuating exchange rates.
Invopak, which is part of the Involvement group, believes the combination of its world-class supply-side responsiveness to customer needs with control over the manufacturing process will give it a unique edge in the marketplace. The new factory represents a five million euro investment, while the tinplate market in the UK is estimated at 200 million euros.
Additionally, new partnerships associated with setting up the manufacturing business will provide access to the US market and deliver further global opportunities. Thousands of businesses, the lifeblood of UK manufacturing, rely on Invopak to deliver the packaging they need, when they need it, at the right price.
Owner Arjen Cooper-Rolfe said: “We have built a fine business in Invopak through buying, storing and delivering high-quality products from UK and European manufacturers, and creating a focus on customer care way beyond anything experienced previously in this industry. Involvement’s more recent expansion into general fulfilment, IT and design has expanded our abilities and know-how still further.
“My father set up this business 50 years ago, in 1974, as a pioneering supplier of the brand-new packaging products then becoming available. We developed the emerging market here in the UK for plastic containers, supplying primarily the food, chemicals and coating industries. “From the mid-90s, we got seriously into metal too, sourcing and supplying a growing UN Certified Tinplate range.
“Then, a decade or so ago, we innovated again by deciding that ‘it’s not just about the product, it’s about the people’, and embarked on a radical transformation to become a totally team-led business dedicated to the pursuit of world-class customer service. We’ve won a raft of major national awards and accolades to confirm the worth of this approach. “My father Andrew would have loved this new move into manufacturing. It’s a massive milestone for our great team.”
Where is the newly opened Invopak factory?
The factory has been opened in Hyde, Manchester, next to the Involvement HQ, and features multiple production lines, enabling manufacture of the most in-demand tinplate products, such as lever lid tins and UN-approved rectangular cans. Launch products are 2.5 and 5 ltr UN-approved cans, 2.5-litre lever lid tins and 5-litre lever lid tins.
How can companies benefit from the newly opened factory?
Invopak comes from a customer-first starting point. Companies and customers can enjoy all the benefits of purchasing from a manufacturer, without compromising service. The new manufacturing factory will allow Invopak to:
- Safeguard customer's packaging supply
- Reduce lead times
- Provide sustainable products, made in the UK
- Offer a world-class experience for any size customer