Macpac can take less than 3 weeks to produce customized Easter Egg packaging

Established in 1973, the privately-owned company has two machine halls at its site in Stockport, UK, and between 2010 and 2015 undertook three factory expansion and refurbishment programmes.

Hamilton Plastics Packaging​

These included integration of Hamilton Plastics Packaging that was acquired in 2011. The final phase saw an increase in factory capacity of over 50% with extended tool rooms with CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine tooling centres. 

A finished goods capacity of over 1,000 pallets and installation of 12 Illig pressure forming machines.

Last year, the sales team moved into a purpose designed office adjacent to the production centre and during the summer of 2017 expanded the toolroom facility to four CNC machines. 

David Riley, marketing manager, Macpac, told ConfectioneryNews, it creates bespoke ideas rather than selling standard designs from a catalogue and takes the customer through the production process allowing for trialing. 

“Looking to 2018 Macpac will continue to reinforce and build on its existing market presence by focusing on key sectors delivering the same values and a commitment to customer service, excellence and innovation that have carried it over the past 40 years​,” he said.  

“We plan to unlock new opportunities in the market both at Home and mainland Europe supported by ongoing investment in R&D, materials and technology and an ever increasing thermoforming capability​.”

‘Clamshell’ Easter Egg pack 

As an example, Riley, said an unnamed major international wholesaler approached Macpac to produce a ‘Clamshell’ pack for an Easter Egg range recently.

He said it had a fortnight to design the ‘Clamshell’, obtain approval and go into full production.

Using its CAD design software the finishing results had to generate shapes for incorporation into a pack design.

Prototypes were hand-made from an interim resin tool to produce samples and these were paired with the Easter egg and chocolate products and submitted to the customer.

“The entire process took less than three weeks from initial brief to delivery of finished goods​,” added Riley.

“An in-house design and tooling facility gives us an added advantage speeding up the manufacturing process with greater control over costs, production times, quality and reliability​.

“We are a family-owned independent manufacturer offering a highly personal and close relationship, which is unique in these days of amalgamation and consolidation in the packaging sector.​ 

“We collaborate with the customer to realise packaging aspirations and transform an idea into a reality or enhance and embellish an existing design​.”    

He said controlling the whole process from design to manufacture under one roof enables Macpac to respond to customers’ demands and meet the tightest of deadlines.