Systems Labelling ends 2009 with investment spree

The £16m-turnover firm is due to install a Gannicott in-mould label converting machine at its Runcorn site in the New Year, just a year after the first machine was installed.

The group has also ordered a tenth Mark Andy press that will also be installed at Runcorn, one of three sites in the growing group.

The eight-colour press, which will produce wraparound labels, will be operational by the end of January.

Systems Labelling head of marketing Stephen Lloyd told Packaging News that the move into in-mould labelling had brought the group two major contracts, one with a cosmetics group and one with a customer in the dairy industry.

"Given our existing relationships and the brand loyalty we have built up over the years we have also sold IML successfully into our customer base of blue-chip clients," he said.

The two investments come at the end of a year of expansion for Deeside-based Systems Labelling, which employs more than 120 staff.

Its Runcorn site opened in January, specialising in wraparound and in-mould labelling, and now employs around 30 staff.

February brought the acquisition of Double R Labels in Chelmsford, Essex. The business was rebranded Systems Labelling Express in August and now specialises in fast-turnaround label production.

Lloyd said: "We've now tripled our turnover in the last five years. 2009 was a big year with the two new sites and we're looking forward to more growth in 2010."

Click here for today's headlines from across the packaging industry