Lesters cooks up growth with top BRCGS rating

A Midlands-based packaging specialist is targeting growth in the food and drink sector.

Lesters, which has been providing corrugated boxes and bespoke packaging solutions for over 40 years, has achieved a top AA rating from BRCGS, recognising its robust systems for quality, hygiene, process management and traceability. 

It is the first time the Burntwood-based company has applied for the certification, which is increasingly required by food and drink manufacturers.

Bosses say the achievement, at the first attempt, follows just six months of preparation, led by business support manager Richard Shorthouse and project manager Cerianne Dixon. 

They add that Lesters has also invested in two large-format TCY casemakers at its 60,000sq ft facility on Mount Road, boosting production capacity to 15,000 boxes per hour – a 150 per cent increase since 2022.

Billy Hutchinson, managing director of Lesters, said: “The food and drink market is one of the UK’s most dynamic sectors, and we see huge potential for growth.

“Our goal is to be the go-to packaging partner for manufacturers supplying supermarkets, retail outlets and home consumers – delivering solutions that meet the highest standards of quality and compliance.

“The BRCGS standard is fundamental to us delivering the highest possible quality, which is essential when transporting food and drink products safely. 

“To get an AA rating at our first attempt is unheard of and underlines the robust systems we already have in place when it comes to repeatable quality, safety and traceability.”

Lesters, which holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 accreditations, has also expanded its team with eight hires across sales, design and manufacturing. 

Revenue has risen by £7 million since 2023, with clients spanning automotive, engineering, medical, retail and now food and drink.

Billy added: “You can’t stand still in our sector, and we are working hard to innovate the way we do things that will ultimately benefit customers across more than ten different markets.

“The ‘Lesters’ ecosystem is really taking shape.

“We start with the design and bespoke tailoring of our boxes, then this moves to the manufacture of the packaging and, through our sister company Lesters Logistics, a full-service third-party logistics service.

“Clients now have nationwide access to ‘stock and serve’, ‘pick and pack’ and full-scale storage and distribution services. 

“Our approach really is now ‘cradle to grave’.”

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