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• Upton Packaging

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Overview

Keith Tipler founded Upton Packaging in 1998 in Staffordshire. The company designs and supplies tailor-made packaging for a broad range of clients and regularly trials new materials to meet its clients' demand.

The business began researching the viability of a move to Cornwall in 2006. Keith says "I met my wife in Cornwall in the 60s, so it's always been a special place to us. A few years ago we bought a house in the county. Moving the business has been at the back of my mind for some time."

In order to ensure the move to Cornwall was seamless, Keith kept the business running in Staffordshire for as long as possible. This enabled Upton Packaging to get fully operational in Cornwall, ironing out any issues before fully relocating. It took a year for the company to find a property and they are now based on Treleigh Industrial Estate in Redruth. "Commercial property is in high demand in the county, so we were very happy when we found our new premises."

The move to the county has had no detrimental effects on clients as location is not an issue for the business. Keith adds "The move to Cornwall has enabled us to take advantage of the South West market. We have no direct competition so are well placed to meet the demand. Not only that, but we feel that the South West is much more switched on than the rest of the country when it comes to new ways of thinking. People in the South West seem to embrace new technologies better, which is ideal for us."

Keith has no regrets about moving to the county. As a family run business, the whole family has now made the move to Cornwall and are all enjoying their new home. "It's been a good decision for us to move to Cornwall. We certainly have worked harder since being down here, but we have a better quality of living and there is much more available to you on your doorstep. Not only that, but we have found that people are more friendly and seem to have more time for you."

Products/Clients

Upton's Clients include: international firm IMI Norgen, Lloyds TSB, Royal Bank of Scotland, Natwest & Shell. They are also in talks to secure business with Finning Caterpillar. Upton are currently developing an anti-bacterial coating which can be used on refuse sacks throughout the NHS to prevent the transport of viruses. Locally the company is working with Proper Cornish, the leading food company and Stevensons in Newlyn, where Upton is designing ecopackaging for its fish.

The company is also developing an eco-friendly range of products including bio-degradable and compostable packaging as well as organic cotton shopping bags. Upton is always looking at new ways of providing a packaging solution. Keith has a vackground in biochemistry which supports his love of invention and his "anything is possible" approach.

More unusual requests include packaging for Sherman tank components, a computer controlled water billboard that went to Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas and a package to safely export a turbo unit for a truck. Keith adds "Whatever the product is, weight, size, complexity, we find a packaging design that works." The company provides a comprehensive supply chain management from the initial order right through to delivery.

Employees

Upton Packaging currently employs seven people. Keith's daughter-in-law is the marketing manager. His son works part time for the firm and his eldest daughter is the firm's Commercial Director. Despite being a family orientated business, it has ambitious plans for growth.