Clifton sets sights on new FMCG business contracts

Clifton sets sights on new FMCG business contracts

Clifton Packaging has made a significant £3m investment as it targets more FMOG business.

The Leicester-based flexible food packaging specialist has installed: a KBA-Flexotecnica Evo XD, an eight-colour press with upgrade electronics architecture from KBA; a Nordmeccanica Supercombi SC400 comhi machine which allows solventless lamination, gravure coatings and water based adhesives; a Nordmeccanica Simplex SLI300 solventless lamination machine; and a Bimec TCA64 C+ Duplex Turret Machine, which allows high efficiency slitting at 800m per minute slitting speed.

Shahid Sheikh, Clifton Packaging’s managing director, said the company was preparing for investment for future growth and to reach its ambitions targets.

“By demonstrating that we have a lot of capacity available we are hoping we can make a difference and win further contracts in the FMCG sector,” he said.

“We have another major round of investment through the course of this year and another phase next year.

Clifton reaches a turnover of £20m turnover last year and Sheikh told Packaging News forecasted profits were “met once again”.

He said: “Our immediate vision immediate vision is to ensure that our foundations stay strong and to continue with our innovation programme. This includes a new additional facility and more investments. We are looking for more space and production capacity.”

Shaikh also criticised the bad press that plastic packaging has received in the media.

“We have said previously that this is a knee jerk reaction. We believe the public need to be educated and first and foremost in how to dispose of litter responsibly.”

At the recent Foodex exhibition Clifton launched new products including 100% fully recyclable resealable and compostable pouches, ovenable pouches which can withstand temperature of 225 degrees centigrade for two hours in the oven, and pouches with antibacterial coating. Later this year Clifton is planning to net up a packaging centre of excellence.