Despite the uncertainties that were created as the pandemic developed early in 2020, the company has since exceeded forecasts with strong year-on-year growth across the business. This was largely driven by rising e-commerce demand, complemented by their ability to deliver digitally through their Nozomi C18000 single-pass, ultra-high-speed LED inkjet corrugated packaging press – an investment made in mid 2019. Following this, Durham Box committed to spend nearly £2.5m to increase the footprint of its Bishop Auckland factory and invest in new machinery.
To help facilitate the factory expansion, the company was awarded a £200,000 grant by the County Durham Growth Fund, to help build a 20,000 sq.ft extension and re-design existing space to improve production facilities. As a proviso of the grant, Durham Box committed to create an additional 20 jobs over the next 3-4 years – a task they have already fulfilled following a recruitment drive aimed at bolstering their sales, design and production functions. Given the opportunities ahead, further recruitment is planned.
New machinery has included a Bobst die-cutter, a Bobst gluer, a box taping machine and a large format flat bed die-cutter from Century Machinery that is scheduled for installation in September. As a further operational enhancement, a mobile pallet racking system was installed in the new extension, providing 4000 pallet locations for product storage and stock call-off.
