Co-Packing is the process that allows companies to sell their goods in all manner of packaging. For example have you ever wondered who packs the mini cereal boxes into multi-packs, or who puts the chocolate into selection boxes for Christmas or how did that bottle of serum get in my promotional hair straightener box? Co-Packing, that’s how!

A good Co-Packing operation really is the jewel in the crown for any 3PL worth their salt. You know what they say ‘if you pack it, they will come’… OK so I may have made that bit up but in a way it’s true. If you can pack it well businesses will come to you.

From food to pharmaceuticals, from car parts to beauty products, “Co-Packing” is more common than you might realise. IPS (part of the Culina Group) is the largest “Co-Packer” in the UK, working with some of the best-known food brands to provide innovative Co-Packing, Co-Filling and Co-Manufacturing solutions.

With over 30 years’ experience, a national network of Co-Packing facilities committed staff and a flexible approach to business, IPS continues to lead the market.

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KEY – ‘Rough’ process of raw product process

1. A raw product (in this case sweets)is produced by manufacturer

2. It is collected by a 3rd party haulier

3. Product arrives at an IPS location

4. The sweets are unloaded

5. Sorted in to correct weights

6. Added to packaging

7. Packaging is sealed

8. Best before and other production information is added

9. Product is boxed

10. Boxes sealed

11. Boxes palletised and wrapped for transport

12. Pallets loaded on to 3rd party truck

13. Product transported to retailers central hub

14. Product is stored and divided into store allocation

15. Selected quantity is despatched

16. Product is delivered to chosen store and displayed

17. Product is purchased by consumer and enjoyed

IPS is already the market leader in co-packing and by acquiring FoodPack its expanded business is significantly extending the company’s overall service offering. FoodPack operates from an 80,000 sq. ft. facility and 9 acre site in St Helens Lancashire and employs over 150 staff. Turnover in 2018 is over £14 million.

“We are serious about building the best and largest co-packing / co-manufacturing business in the UK,” said IPS Chief Executive Officer Andrew Dawson.

“Significant investment across the IPS network throughout 2018 and the purchase and extension to our Featherstone site has meant that we have been moving increasingly into the co-packing & co-manufacturing markets. As a consequence we approached FoodPack earlier this year. It didn’t take very long for both businesses to see that this was a great fit.”

“IPS are committed to growth and this acquisition presents a natural step on our journey. We have been aware of FoodPack and their success over the past three years. The business has a great reputation, an excellent location and massive scope for further growth.”

FoodPack produce a wide range of ambient foods, both own-label and branded manufacture for many of the leading retailers and brands in the UK. Partners to major retailers and brands throughout the UK, FoodPack provide a total design to delivery service under one roof.

“FoodPack has established good relationships with retailers and manufacturers however, IPS can help broaden FoodPack reach very quickly,” said Steve Smith FoodPack’s Managing Director.

“By coupling our co-manufacturing know how with the experience of IPS and of course a commitment to investment, FoodPack can now look forward to steady, sustainable growth whilst concentrating on what we do best.”

In the coming weeks IPS will finalise the details of the acquisition. The primary aim is to ensure that all current and prospective customers continue to benefit from market-leading levels of service.

The Best Service Award celebrates the supplier who has either delivered a consistently high level of service or who have shown proactivity to overcome significant obstacles.

“We are absolutely delighted to receive the Best Service Award this year. This is truely a reflection of the continued open, inclusive and receptive relationship between IPS and our Nestle colleagues. The capability, loyalty and commitment of our people is what makes IPS the market leader” said Andrew Dawson – IPS Managing Director.

The prestigious Nestle Awards recognise the best of the best of more than three hundred “Nestle UK” direct suppliers who supply into the 12 UK Nestle manufacturing sites.

On day two the team left Haverhill and cycled a tough 80 miles to Desborough arriving at the hotel in total darkness at 9.pm after a really long day in the saddle.

Another tough day followed on day three with the cyclists leaving Desborough and cycling to Great Bear Fradley and then onto Wolverhampton racking up a grueling 85 miles in total!! The team at Wolverhampton stayed late to put up banners and provided the cyclists with a buffet to greet them after a long, hard day.

Day 4 was an early start with the cyclists setting off from Wolverhampton with stops at Stafford, Market Drayton and then Tattenhall. Although due to mechanical problems the cyclists unfortunately didn’t made it to Tattenhall and had to cycle into the night to get to their hotel. Matt Pinnock the Driver Trainer from Port Salford joined the cyclists for the day, having cycled the 78 miles that the group cycled, Matt then cycled a further 70 miles back to Manchester.

Day five was the most brutal day of the whole journey, with the team leaving Chester and cycling over the Peak district to Great Bear Sheffield. The trepidation that the team felt at the beginning of the day was well founded as the hill gradients increased. Day 5 consisted of 86 very tough miles and was the most difficult day of the whole event.

With aching muscles the team began their penultimate day with a comparably low 48 miles to complete on the day. Starting at Sheffield and cycling to Rotherham and then on to IPS Featherstone.

The team woke up on Saturday to take on their final day with an ‘easy’ 70 mile trip over the Pennines to Port Salford! It was tough with the guys arriving at Port Salford in the middle of the afternoon. Paul Barnes from IPS Featherstone joined the group on Friday and once the team arrived in Port Salford, got straight back on his bike to cycle back to Featherstone!

A special mention should go to Dave Windle the Driver trainer form Market Drayton who drove the support vehicle and repaired the bikes whilst always seeming to be on hand to support the team whenever the team needed motivating.

It should not be underestimated how tough a journey this was, extreme fatigue, injury, damage to bikes and hills were all a constant barrier to overcome, the team hope to raise a total of around £3,500 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

IPS, the Featherstone based Culina Packaging Company won the Nestle award for ‘Fuelling the Virtuous Circle’ recognising the greatest contribution and collaboration from a supplier to significantly reducing the total delivered cost of Nestle finished goods.

IPS won through its development and implementation a major packaging innovation rolled out specifically on behalf of Nestle in 2015. An innovation which is now enabling annualised cost savings of over £1 million.

“We bought and installed two bespoke ‘tube forming’ lines at our Featherstone site,” said Andrew Dawson IPS Managing Director.

“This major IPS investment unlocked massive environmental and cost benefits to Nestle. The development of the project was a real partnership approach. I am pleased to say it was delivered within budget and on time, well in time for the 2015 Xmas packing season.”

Great Bear the nationwide Culina ambient logistics company won the Nestle Award for ‘Safety First’, recognising the continued stringent focus by Great Bear on the overall safety of all aspects of their Nestle operations.

“This award is testament to the great work of the Great Bear teams responsible for handling our Nestle operations in developing and maintaining a truly ‘best-in-class’ safety record,” Said Mark Roberts – Business Development Director, “The safety and wellbeing of all personnel at all our sites is always of the highest priority. We are really proud to receive recognition of our commitment through this significant award.”

The prestigious Nestle Awards recognise the best of the best of more than three hundred “Nestle UK” direct suppliers who supply into the 12 UK Nestle manufacturing sites.