2023 unwrapped – looking back on the year at Macfarlane

2023 was another busy year here at Macfarlane Packaging. So, as we start 2024, we thought it was time to look back and unwrap what our team was up to in the past year, as well as the content that our customers have found useful!

We launched our most eco-friendly stock box range ever

Our range of 0201 stock boxes is more sustainable than ever before. Double wall boxes are now made with 100% recycled content and single wall boxes with 90% recycled material. The range is Forest Stewardship Council certified too.

The move will see us substitute 1,700 tonnes of virgin corrugated cardboard for recycled each year, ensuring our customers can enjoy more sustainable boxes from an even more sustainable supply chain.

Our Group has gone from strength to strength with new facilities and acquisitions

In March 2023 we launched Macfarlane’s second state-of-the-art Innovation Lab, this time at our Heywood distribution site near Manchester. With an investment of ￡1.3m, the new facility features bespoke packaging software and a wide range of testing equipment including a climatic chamber and an EPASS simulator. Experts based at the site can design, test and produce packaging samples all under one roof using CAD prototyping.

Our business also expanded with three new acquisitions. Two of the acquisitions were focused on building our portfolio of Design and Manufacturing businesses. During quarter one we acquired Suttons Performance Packaging, based in Cambridgeshire, then in October 2023 we acquired B&D in Southampton. Both are excellent businesses that complement Macfarlane’s existing specialist protective packaging activities.?

Plus, in May 2023 we expanded our distribution activities by acquiring Gottlieb Packaging, a distributor based in Manchester. The move saw us further strengthen our ability to serve customers in the North West of England.

Our senior leadership team got even stronger with the appointment of a new Managing Director

In July 2023, David Mansfield joined our Group in the newly created role of Managing Director for Macfarlane Packaging.

David brings broad experience from the protective packaging industry, both from a manufacturing and distribution perspective. He worked at Sealed Air for 19 years in a variety of sales and executive leadership roles and, most recently, has been part of the Bunzl UK Ltd senior team as its Managing Director of Lightning Packaging Supplies.

Consumers said they still want sustainable packaging in our 8th annual Unboxing Survey?

Over 1,000 people responded to our 8th annual Unboxing Survey during the summer months of 2023. Results showed that sustainable packaging is still a priority for most consumers who shop online. Respondents also demonstrated that they would be willing to return packaging to retailers if it was reusable. This emphasises the shift towards a more circular economy. Key highlights include:

• 55% say retailers should keep sustainable packaging as a top priority
• 14% of retailers are still using too much packaging
• 87% of consumers would be willing to return packaging to a retailer if it was reusable

Want to know more? Click here to see further unboxing results and download the detailed report.

We helped feed 1 million pets in need through logistics support for our charity partner Blue Cross

In September 2023, we marked the milestone of having helped feed 1m pets in need with our charity partner Blue Cross.

Throughout the entire year, Macfarlane has been providing transport and storage for pet food donations, so they can be delivered to where they are needed most for the charity’s pet foodbank initiative.

Our team has also held fundraising events for Blue Cross, as well as other charities such as Mind. Plus, our colleagues have been active in the community through our volunteer day programme, where they receive a paid day to donate their time to a good cause.

We’ve published over 50 useful articles in 2023

Need packaging advice? Our blog is the place to go. We published 50 articles packed with hints, tips and advice last year. Here are the most popular:

1. 10 things you could do differently with your packaging in 2023
2. Understanding the role of packaging in preventing transit damages
3. What is the Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme?
4. 5 space-saving packaging tips to combat rising operating costs
5. How to pack bathroom hardware for shipping
6. What are the differences between Carbon Neutral, Carbon offsetting and Net Zero?
7. Connected Packaging: augment your unboxing experience
8. A guide to protective cases and their uses
9. Optimised cardboard box designs: a quick guide
10. Unpacking insights from our 2023 Unboxing Survey
11. Understanding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) if you use packaging
12. Packaging trends to expect 2024

Why not check them out to see what could help you improve your packing operation? You could also subscribe to our blog, so you get to see our latest articles as they’re published.

Help with your packaging in 2024

If you need help or expert advice with packaging this year, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!