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Kite Packaging introduces dynamic gummed paper tape dispenser

As its environmental drive continues to flourish, employee-owned business, Kite Packaging, has developed a new gummed paper tape dispenser to add to its online offering. The new machine is another innovative addition for the Kite team, one that enables its customer base to seal cartons with eco-friendly paper tape, therefore

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Latest Issue
Issue 324 : Jan 2025

kite

Kite Packaging still out in front in the race to reduce plastic in the environment.

Kite Packaging, one of the UK’s leading packaging distributors have seen a hugely positive response to their 2019 initiative aimed at reducing the impact of plastics in the environment. At the end of May the company announced that they are well on their way to reaching their goal, with the initiative already delivering a 95 tonne plastic reduction. The team at Kite launched their 120 tonne challenge at the start of 2019, setting themselves and their customers the task of reducing plastic usage by a total of 120 tonnes by the end of the year. With a focus on ‘reduce, re-use, recycle and replace’ Kite have utilised a wide range of new eco-friendly products and their state of the art Mobile Test Facility to target opportunities for themselves and their customers. Part of the reduction includes Kite themselves no longer sending out any direct mailing in polythene mailing bags, as well as carrying out an ongoing review of its distribution process to minimise plastic wrapping around products.  To support customers joining the initiative Kite’s new Mobile Test Facility, the first of its kind in the industry, has been despatched to customers premises all around the UK along with a team of packaging technologists and specialist engineers. The Kite team are able to utilise the Mobile Test Facility to work alongside customers and carry out waste minimising packaging audits, as well as exploring and testing more eco-friendly packaging alternatives. The initiative comes off the back of continued growth and success for the employee-owned business. The company recently extended its network of regional distribution centres opening a site in the North East of England. They also invested in expansion of warehousing capacity at their Swindon RDC with the installation of a new mezzanine floor. This followed several years of continued growth for Kite’s Swindon RDC since moving to their current location in June 2015. With the increased focus on the environment and the demand for effective, bespoke solutions, businesses are looking for the right packaging solutions that tick all the boxes. For advice and support on a wide range of packaging solutions, or to join Kite in their 120 tonne challenge, visit the Kite Packaging website.     www.kitepackaging.co.uk.

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Letchworth’s Kite Packaging welcomes Sir Oliver Heald MP as it continues with 120 tonne plastic reduction challenge

The team at UK packaging supplier, Kite Packaging, were delighted to welcome Sir Oliver Heald MP last week, an opportunity which enabled them to give him a deeper insight into the Kite brand and their environmental commitment. Sir Oliver Heald MP was able to explore the Kite site and meet the innovating team behind Letchworth’s packaging operations. Mr Heald and Kite Packaging’s Letchworth Managing Partner, Paul Mustard discussed the business’s 120 tonne plastic reduction challenge and the demand for environmental packaging. The day was a success with many Kite customers and suppliers attending the day, Sir Oliver Heald MP commented: “I was delighted to visit this innovative company which is at the forefront of packaging technology and keen to improve the environmental profile of the industry. I was also impressed that the company is owned by its workers.  I was pleased to meet Paul Mustard and the team and I found their enthusiasm inspiring.” Having moved to its new Letchworth location in 2016 after 15 years situated in Harlow, Kite’s continued growth necessitated a planned expansion being brought forward to the summer of last year. The Kite site oversaw a 12,000 sq. ft extension, gaining an extra 2300 pallet spaces, bringing Letchworth’s total capacity to 36,000 sq. ft. With a regional branch network across the UK, the employee-owned company also has sites in the Midlands, Rotherham, Swindon, Sittingbourne, Portsmouth and Gateshead as well as a Packaging Regulations compliant scheme, Kite Environmental Solutions. For further information on Kite’s environmental packaging or for more about the employee-owned business’s 120 tonne plastic reduction challenge, please visit kitepackaging.co.uk.

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Kite Packaging introduces dynamic gummed paper tape dispenser

As its environmental drive continues to flourish, employee-owned business, Kite Packaging, has developed a new gummed paper tape dispenser to add to its online offering. The new machine is another innovative addition for the Kite team, one that enables its customer base to seal cartons with eco-friendly paper tape, therefore reducing the amount of plastic waste produced from other traditional tapes. Its manual design makes it ideal for light to medium volume packing operations and its compact sizing offers the ultimate table top sealing solution for small to medium distribution businesses across the country. This dispenser has been designed with time-saving in mind as its large water tank and fill chamber ensures water is always topped up. It’s also equipped with long and effective brushes which moisten and coat the tape quickly, thus eliminating the need for a water heater. Kite’s new machine can help companies achieve efficiency in the smaller, manual workspace whilst strengthening their environmentally-friendly characteristics to their brand. Packaging tape plays a pivotal part in safeguarding products throughout transit, gummed paper tape is an excellent option as it provides a tamper-evident, temperature tolerant solution that does not harm the environment. For more information about Kite’s gummed paper tape dispenser or about its products and services, please visit www.kitepackaging.co.uk

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Is your business preparing for Brexit? Kite Packaging acquires £700,000 worth of stock ahead of EU exit

With businesses across the country looking to prepare for the potential effects of a hard Brexit, one company has invested in £700,000 worth of insurance stock to ensure they have exactly what they need for the foreseeable future. A recent survey found a surge in the number of companies considering relocating abroad to elsewhere within the EU in order to accommodate a hard Brexit. The British Chamber of Commerce has also stated that thousands of UK firms are also stockpiling goods to deal with the potential worst effects of Brexit. Kite has carried out extensive risk assessments across its supply base and decided to stockpile 700 pallets of the most vulnerable lines. This is where employee-owned business, Kite Packaging, is implementing its strategic plan with international manufacturing partners by purchasing the £700,000 worth of inventory in order to secure its stock levels ready for Brexit. Companies and organisations throughout the UK are anticipating the repercussions that Brexit will create, including extra costs and changes in compliance, business structure and trade. In the face of such uncertain times, businesses have been left with no choice other than to divert time and resources to Brexit, important elements that could have been dedicated to other pivotal strategies such as future growth. Preparing for a no-deal Brexit means the realisation of compromised stock levels as sourcing international product will become more challenging within the parameters of UK business. This investment is another example of Kite’s market leading approach, which will inevitably put the business in good stead for the coming months of unfamiliar territory where stock may well have limited availability. Managing Partner Gavin Ashe said: “No business wants to tie up capital unnecessarily but we have a strong balance sheet and take our responsibility to our customers very seriously. It was felt we just couldn’t take the risk of running out of stock so we have made this investment to protect our customers.” For more information on Kite Packaging’s services or products, visit kitepackaging.co.uk.

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