October 2023 marked the culmination of our recent investment projects, totalling £13 million, aimed at enhancing our industry-leading manufacturing capabilities. Despite a dip in market volumes, we seized the opportunity to future-proof our operations by investing in cutting-edge technology. This strategic move has positioned Sheard Packaging at the forefront of the corrugated industry.
Our investment journey included the sale and removal of our 7-colour Dong Fang Apstar in May 2023, followed by the installation of a fully-automated Asahi flatbed die-cutting line in June. This new line features Dücker pre-feeders and a Dücker Corrpal palletiser. Over the summer, we prepared for the installation of a new Göpfert 5-colour HBL HQPP die-cutter, which was completed in October. This machine complements our existing 7-colour Göpfert, installed in April 2020, and includes a full conveyor system from Avanti Conveyors.
The seamless installation and commissioning process were a testament to the diligence and skill of our combined engineering teams from Sheard and Göpfert. With these investments, we have achieved print quality previously reliant on litho and pre-print processes, opening up new markets and opportunities while reducing lead times for our customers. Our new equipment has been running 24/7, enabling us to onboard an additional 12 million m2 of die-cut volume and significantly increase our HQPP market share.
The past 12 months have been challenging for both the UK economy and the corrugated industry. Despite these challenges, Sheard Packaging has demonstrated resilience, robust performance, and unwavering commitment to excellence. As paper prices fell in Q1 of 2023, the industry faced significant deflation and volume shortages. However, Sheard Packaging grew our volumes by 5% over the previous year and budgeted for further growth of 12% for the year ahead.
Throughout the year, we completed a 12-month investment program, including the installation and commissioning of Göpfert 2, a new 5-colour HBL machine, and a fully-automated Asahi flatbed line. These advancements have provided us with unmatched die-cutting and HQPP capabilities, allowing us to set a new production record of 16.5 million m2 in a single month in April 2024.
We also signed several key customer contracts, with volumes steadily growing to levels last seen during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our commitment to service excellence remains the backbone of our business, with industry-leading metrics in on-time, in-full (OTIF) delivery and quality.
Our sales and value optimisation offerings have matured over the past year, with numerous collaborative projects delivering significant savings and CO2 reductions for our customers. Our Mobile Innovation Centre has raised the bar in technical and value engineering, reducing the time to market for new innovations and designs.
We are particularly proud of achieving B Corp accreditation with a substantial entry score of over 100 points. This certification recognizes our standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability, making us the first corrugated manufacturer in the UK to earn this distinction. Additionally, our near-term Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) target was approved in December 2023, and we published our 2023 Impact Report in March 2024.
The upcoming year promises to be an exciting adventure as we maximize our substantial investments and leverage our independence and reputation. Our three-year business plan focuses on a people-driven approach, where relationships are more important than transactions, and succession plans ensure our long-term health. At Sheard Packaging, doing the right thing at all times is paramount, and we are committed to continuous improvement and excellence.
We can’t wait to be at the Grosvenor Hotel for the UK Packaging Awards. Let’s celebrate another successful year in the corrugated industry together. Thank you for your continued support and trust in Sheard Packaging.
Sheard Packaging
Solar Works
Calder Street
Greetland
Halifax
West Yorkshire
HX4 8AQ
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