It is no secret that Herbert Walkers are and have been a high quality printer for many years, with the focus of the business being in the commercial and greeting card sectors, winning numerous awards they have been in the limelight and are credited for being one of the most successful innovators within these chosen sectors. However times change and although Walkers continue to have a strong customer presence within the card and commercial markets, the business has recognised that to continue to grow they need to diversify.

Cartonboard packaging is not the easiest sector to break into, but with the undoubted synergies between where Walkers have been and where they want to get to, it is the most obvious and logical step. The board of Directors know that a limited apprenticeship within the sector will count against them, but has combated this potential weakness by bringing in packaging professionals into key positions within the front end, and throughout the production process. This will ensure that years of packaging manufacturing experience are relayed first hand to an already highly skilled and competent workforce.

Personnel is not the only area to be strengthened. Significant investment in the shop floor working practices with the implementation of the British Retail Consortium Packaging Standard (BRC) has meant that already good housekeeping and quality procedures are elevated to the next level, and they are continuing to pursue further accreditations with ISO9001 Quality Management System and ISO14001 Environmental the next certifications they expect to achieve.

Key to their success in the packaging sector will not only be their ability to understand, manufacture and deliver against their new customers requirements, but to recognise that to stay competitive continual investment is required. Significant investment has already been made with a new Bobst Expert Fold Gluer (with capacity, hot melt and full QC detection incorporated) being added to the Heidelberg Diana machine bought and installed last year. Further investment in die cutting secured a second Bobst cut crease machine, which has given greater capacity and flexibility. These purchases supplement an already well-equipped department that also boasts two Bobst B1 sheet foilers. High quality sheet foiling and embossing has been a feature of Walker’s continued growth and success for upwards of 20 years and now look set to play a major role in the further development of the business.

Herbert Walkers have had prospective customers lining up waiting for the BRC accreditation, and are now enjoying a great deal of success. Sales Director, Andy Christie, is keen to push on “with more capacity available, we need to cultivate the accounts in the packaging sector that we have recently secured. However, with foiling and embossing expertise, we are now starting to attract those added value sales that require high quality print & finishing, and that we can manage totally in house without the need for third party involvement.” 

A new chapter in the long history of Herbert Walkers is now being written with cartons, commercial & greeting cards to work hand in hand to secure the ongoing success of the business, although it is hoped that packaging will be the new best seller.