One of the UK’s large packaging specialists is celebrating this morning after securing two prestigious business awards at a glittering ceremony in the West Midlands.
Lesters, which employs over 60 people at its state-of-the-art Burntwoood facility, was named ‘Manufacturing Champion’ and ‘SME Business of the Year’ at the Express & Star Business Awards 2022.
The company beat off high-profile competition from Jenks & Cattell Engineering, Weatherite Air Conditioning, Nant, Lord Combustion Services and Metallisation to scoop the two accolades in front of over 300 people at Dunstall Park Racecourse.
It impressed the judging panel with its commitment to the region, investing £7m into new technology for the packaging sector and creating 15 new jobs in a wide range of positions.
With demand rising from the automotive, healthcare and online shopping area, Lesters has seen sales rise by 120% and has put in place a three-year blueprint to hit £25m turnover.
Billy Hutchinson, Managing Director, commented: “This is such as massive night for our business. To win one award was a surprise, but to win two…well we are all blown away by that.
“The strength of the competition at The Express & Star Awards was huge and showcased the manufacturing excellence and enterprising nature of the region we are proud to call home.”
He went on to add: “Our success is down to our amazing team, who have gone above and beyond to support the growth of the business.”
The last twelve months have been transformational for Lesters, the UK’s leading specialist in big box packaging for the aerospace, automotive, bike manufacturing, mail order and third-party logistics space.
Growth has been driven by investment in skills and, importantly, a £7m investment programme that has resulted in the installation of a new TCY Jumbo Casemaker (first of its type to be operational in the UK) and the impending arrival of a TCY N6 3 colour casemaker machine.
These acquisitions have helped the company reduce lead times and increase capacity from a combined 180 boxes per minute to over 360 – essential if it is going to meet planned expansion targets.
Billy concluded: “The E&S Awards reinforce that the recent actions we’ve taken are working and we’re heading in the right direction. We’ll hopefully use this success to win new business and support our desire to be an employer of choice in the West Midlands.”