Crating a stir in the world of packaging

Team Humber member – Crating Solutions is shaking up the packaging industry after landing a series of international contracts.

Crating Solutions UK Ltd, based in Rotterdam Road, has rapidly become the premier commercial export packer in Hull and the Humber after seeing its turnover triple since its foundation.

The firm, which manufactures crates to distribute products across the globe, has won contracts for major companies including Honda, Nissan and Fox’s.

The growth of the business has meant its customer portfolio has swelled from just a handful of clients since it was set up in 2004 to more than 100 in 2013.

Clive Jones, managing director at Crating Solutions, has been at the helm of the company from the start.

“The growth of the business is very much down to the service we provide and the good reputation we are continuing to build in the industry,” he said.

“We have been able to transform the business from a local engineering firm into an international brand.

“We have built our reputation on recommendations, not always advertising.”

Mr Jones set up Crating Solutions using the proceeds from the sale of his two previous businesses. In December 2004 he also received funding from the Acorn Fund.

In its first year Crating Solutions turned over £180,000, followed by £500,000 in the second year.

Since starting out, Mr Jones has seen the business grow into an industry leader, offering a unique service to its clients.

Crating Solutions is a member of the worldwide treaty on packaging timber ISPM.15 which means the timber used to make the crates is heat-treated to kill any bugs it may be carrying.

This standard is required for entry to many countries, including the US, Australia and India.

The company is also audited every six months by the Forestry Commission to check it is complying with the scheme.

“Obtaining our licence was a substantial outlay but it makes our products more attractive to clients,” Mr Jones said.

“That allows us to offer something unique to clients in the Hull and Humber region.”

Clients range from Ministry of Defence approved contractors and local aviation firms to peanut machine manufacturers and people wanting to ship classic cars overseas.

The firm has been asked to pack and distribute mortuary tables to Canada, birth beds to South America and classic cars to California.

In 2011, the company won a contract with a local aviation firm to package Hawk jets for shipping to India – its most lucrative order to date.

The team designed the crates to protect jet parts and prevent corrosion.

Mr Jones said: “To tie down a deal like that was fantastic for us and we have had a lot of business on the back of that from other firms.

“We have packaged a wide range of products over the years, including Fox’s biscuits and, recently, motorbikes for a film production company.”

The expansion of the business has meant it has had to move base from its 4,700sq ft unit in Wiltshire Road to the 7,500sq ft commercial property on Sutton Fields Industrial Estate.

Mr Jones said: “The business has grown exponentially. The money we make has been used to take on more employees and attract more customers.

“We have tried to land numerous national contracts in the past but we have been beaten to the post by national and international companies.

“Now, we are getting more and more interest and that is down to the hard work of our team and our reputation.

“We have developed a lot of good friendships with clients so we are the first name they think of when they want something packaged and distributed.

“We are only a small team but if we need to work through the night we will do to deliver on our promise.

“Hopefully more national companies will see that our work ethos and reliability is second to none.”

With revenue increasing year-on-year, Mr Jones and his team are hoping the business will continue to grow and Crating Solutions can cement its place as an industry leader.

“We are looking to grow steadily – week-by-week, he said.

“If we can grow as much as we have over the first nine years, we will have done very well, but I can’t see why that isn’t achievable.”