Summary

EP Packaging are concerned with the manufacturing of thermoformed plastic trays for the bakery, confectionary and fast food markets.

Background

EP Packaging was formed in 1991 by the merging of two companies with over 20 years combined thermoforming experience. It has achieved substantial growth since its inception by a consistent policy of investing heavily in both modern efficient process equipment and people, whilst ensuring continuous improvement in quality, innovation, service and competitiveness.

Their position has been earned by investment in leading edge technology, by a strategic plan to regularly invest in new manufacturing techniques and by a skilled dedicated workforce steeped in the tradition of vacuum forming and pressure forming techniques.

Responsible business objectives

• Increased Production efficiencies to reduce demand for additional haulage, increased power consumption and higher waste;
• Reduction in product waste;
• Program introduced to recycle plastics, cardboards, metals, woods and polythenes;
• Dialog with customer base to reduce packaging specifications, less packaging wherever possible;
• Dialog with haulage company to reduce numbers of delivery miles.

How they do it

• Employee buy-in - ongoing process explanations;

• Haulage - making multistop deliveries;

• Customer - price discounts

• Changes to materials and specifications;

• Supplier - buying more within the uk wherever possible which helps to reduce carbon miles of transport.

EP Packaging will also attempt to develop their current activities by, in the future, reducing power consumption / demand through preventative maintenance and improved planning and employee awareness. Further, they will reduce the types and amounts of material in their recycle chain and will promote environmental awareness through customers, suppliers and employees alike.

What impact it has

• General benefits for the company and the environment.

Business Benefits

• More flexible to customer demand - Production increases by 22%;
• Reduction in power consumption costs - in the region of £50,000;
• Ability to sell off waste products rather than send to landfill - £200,000;
• Transport and storage savings - estimated at
  £10,000 per annum;
• Good product selling point with ability to meet demand, ability to discuss recycling with customers.