Tag: news
This week on the 15th September we will be incredibly proud to celebrate 50 years in business!
What an achievement!
It was in 1999 that the business became The Cardboard Box Company but the story started long before then.
It was in 1975 when Chapman Industries formed Chapman Cartons to make and supply cardboard boxes to its five envelope manufacturing sites across the UK.
At that time, Chapman Envelopes was the largest envelope manufacturer in the UK so having its own box making factory to despatch its products made perfect sense.
It quickly became established, and it was recognised from the beginning that the success of the business depended upon its ability to offer credible solutions to customers’ packaging dilemmas. It’s an ethos that’s stayed pretty much the same across the decades.
In the 80s and 90s as the business gathered pace CBC had some pretty notable achievements; in the ‘80s, they designed the original satellite dish packaging for BskyB (British Sky Broadcasting) while in the ‘90s, Time Computers, the largest manufacturer of PC’s in the UK, supplied the first complete Home PC package to the UK retail market via Tesco in a box designed by them.
After several factory moves across the area the business settled in Accrington in 1989 and has stayed there ever since apart from an extension or two!
In was in 1999 that Trelleborg, its then owners, sold Chapman Industries and Chapman Containers and the latter was bought by a private businessman, Mr Peter Street.
With a new owner and a new name of The Cardboard Box Company, the business grew exponentially and increased its turnover significantly, until it was acquired by Logson Group in June 2018.
Today, the business operates a turnover of £24m with a clear plan to take this to £45m and maximum capacity at its current plant by 2029.
Some of our team have been here for many years including Daniel Johnston, Managing Director and Commercial Director, Matt Herd who joined the business around the same time, early in the new millennium.
Daniel commented; “I can’t quite believe where the time has gone since 2003 and the roles I have done since joining as a Cost Estimator when I finished Uni and didn’t really have a master career plan!
“I never planned to work in corrugated, and I accepted the job on a night out after my friends Dad offer me a post. I’d finished Uni and didn’t know what to do so it seemed sensible. Clearly it was the right thing to do!”
Matt added; “It’s quite unusual for people to stay with businesses for such a long time now however there is something quite unique about CBC. From joining in summer 2000, I have also worked in many different roles and know the business inside out.
“It’s a great place to be and I’m looking forward to taking the business forward and into its sixth decade with the rest of the team.”
Any manufacturer knows that product returns can be a costly business challenge. And, in addition to product being returned and the financial implication of this, there is the added danger of damage to the brand name and reputation which can often be far more costly than any financial loss attributed to the delivery of damaged product.
Most often, product damage occurs through incorrectly packaging items meaning the goods contained within the pack aren’t adequately protected through the supply chain.
But it’s not just customers that are impacted.
Product returns are a multifaceted issue affecting logistics and profitability to.
Hearsay suggests that e-commerce return rates can exceed 20% in some sectors, with damage during transit a leading contributor. For fragile, high-value, heavy, or awkwardly shaped items, the risk is even greater. Every returned product represents not only a financial loss but also an environmental impact—extra transportation, waste, and in many cases, products that cannot be resold.
However, with the right corrugated packaging, product damage, returns and refunds can be reduced if not eliminated and brand reputation preserved.
This is how.
Bespoke is best
Bespoke is always best but particularly if you have a product that is particularly fragile, high value, heavy or awkwardly shaped.
When businesses choose an off the shelf standard size case, invariably extra void fill is required which can them compromise the sustainability of the pack, if a hard to recycle material is chosen. Paper void fill can be used with great success however it does have its limitations in terms of strength required.
These challenges can all be overcome by choosing bespoke packaging, designed and tailored especially for your product range.
Our expert designers ensure solutions are created which protect the product through some or all of outer boxes, internal fittings, sleeves, pallet packs and more to ensure the product does not move and is protected through the supply chain whether that’s across the globe or through the UK courier network.
Promoting your brand
Marketplaces are very competitive places and representing and protecting a brand is critical to business success.
Choosing a bespoke corrugated packaging solution which reduces or eradicates product damage and return is the first step to protecting brand reputation, perhaps the second step is promoting the brand reputation to customers through printed packaging.
Ranging from simple one colour print which communicates essential product information and the contents of the pack, to complex high quality print representative of photography businesses can choose the type of print they want and the impact they want to deliver.
Our graphics team are well placed to advise on this and as one of the best teams in the corrugated print sector customers are amazed at what can be achieved with their brands and artwork on their packaging.
One thing is for sure; customers are very happy to promote their brands once they are confident the packaging is fit for purpose and their customers and end users will have a positive packaging experience and a positive engagement with their brand and products.
A winning combination
By combining the two both tangible and intangible costs of product returns can be eliminated as can damaged goods, disappointed customers and the subsequent negative impact on a brand and a business.
Companies that invest in bespoke corrugated packaging position themselves as leaders in quality, sustainability, and customer service encouraging repeat business and customer loyalty.
With effective packaging being so much more than a box, bespoke corrugated solutions reduce return rates, improve customer satisfaction, and protect brand reputation—all while supporting sustainability goals. For businesses serious about growth and success in the modern marketplace, the move to custom-designed packaging is not just a trend, it’s a strategic decision which can deliver significant benefits.
Any manufacturer knows that product returns can be a costly business challenge. And, in addition to product being returned and the financial implication of this, there is the added danger of damage to the brand name and reputation which can often be far more costly than any financial loss attributed to the delivery of damaged product.
Most often, product damage occurs through incorrectly packaging items meaning the goods contained within the pack aren’t adequately protected through the supply chain.
But it’s not just customers that are impacted.
Product returns are a multifaceted issue affecting logistics and profitability to.
Hearsay suggests that e-commerce return rates can exceed 20% in some sectors, with damage during transit a leading contributor. For fragile, high-value, heavy, or awkwardly shaped items, the risk is even greater. Every returned product represents not only a financial loss but also an environmental impact—extra transportation, waste, and in many cases, products that cannot be resold.
However, with the right corrugated packaging, product damage, returns and refunds can be reduced if not eliminated and brand reputation preserved.
This is how.
Bespoke is best
Bespoke is always best but particularly if you have a product that is particularly fragile, high value, heavy or awkwardly shaped.
When businesses choose an off the shelf standard size case, invariably extra void fill is required which can them compromise the sustainability of the pack, if a hard to recycle material is chosen. Paper void fill can be used with great success however it does have its limitations in terms of strength required.
These challenges can all be overcome by choosing bespoke packaging, designed and tailored especially for your product range.
Our expert designers ensure solutions are created which protect the product through some or all of outer boxes, internal fittings, sleeves, pallet packs and more to ensure the product does not move and is protected through the supply chain whether that’s across the globe or through the UK courier network.
Promoting your brand
Marketplaces are very competitive places and representing and protecting a brand is critical to business success.
Choosing a bespoke corrugated packaging solution which reduces or eradicates product damage and return is the first step to protecting brand reputation, perhaps the second step is promoting the brand reputation to customers through printed packaging.
Ranging from simple one colour print which communicates essential product information and the contents of the pack, to complex high quality print representative of photography businesses can choose the type of print they want and the impact they want to deliver.
Our graphics team are well placed to advise on this and as one of the best teams in the corrugated print sector customers are amazed at what can be achieved with their brands and artwork on their packaging.
One thing is for sure; customers are very happy to promote their brands once they are confident the packaging is fit for purpose and their customers and end users will have a positive packaging experience and a positive engagement with their brand and products.
A winning combination
By combining the two both tangible and intangible costs of product returns can be eliminated as can damaged goods, disappointed customers and the subsequent negative impact on a brand and a business.
Companies that invest in bespoke corrugated packaging position themselves as leaders in quality, sustainability, and customer service encouraging repeat business and customer loyalty.
With effective packaging being so much more than a box, bespoke corrugated solutions reduce return rates, improve customer satisfaction, and protect brand reputation—all while supporting sustainability goals. For businesses serious about growth and success in the modern marketplace, the move to custom-designed packaging is not just a trend, it’s a strategic decision which can deliver significant benefits.
Any manufacturer knows that product returns can be a costly business challenge. And, in addition to product being returned and the financial implication of this, there is the added danger of damage to the brand name and reputation which can often be far more costly than any financial loss attributed to the delivery of damaged product.
Most often, product damage occurs through incorrectly packaging items meaning the goods contained within the pack aren’t adequately protected through the supply chain.
But it’s not just customers that are impacted.
Product returns are a multifaceted issue affecting logistics and profitability to.
Hearsay suggests that e-commerce return rates can exceed 20% in some sectors, with damage during transit a leading contributor. For fragile, high-value, heavy, or awkwardly shaped items, the risk is even greater. Every returned product represents not only a financial loss but also an environmental impact—extra transportation, waste, and in many cases, products that cannot be resold.
However, with the right corrugated packaging, product damage, returns and refunds can be reduced if not eliminated and brand reputation preserved.
This is how.
Bespoke is best
Bespoke is always best but particularly if you have a product that is particularly fragile, high value, heavy or awkwardly shaped.
When businesses choose an off the shelf standard size case, invariably extra void fill is required which can them compromise the sustainability of the pack, if a hard to recycle material is chosen. Paper void fill can be used with great success however it does have its limitations in terms of strength required.
These challenges can all be overcome by choosing bespoke packaging, designed and tailored especially for your product range.
Our expert designers ensure solutions are created which protect the product through some or all of outer boxes, internal fittings, sleeves, pallet packs and more to ensure the product does not move and is protected through the supply chain whether that’s across the globe or through the UK courier network.
Promoting your brand
Marketplaces are very competitive places and representing and protecting a brand is critical to business success.
Choosing a bespoke corrugated packaging solution which reduces or eradicates product damage and return is the first step to protecting brand reputation, perhaps the second step is promoting the brand reputation to customers through printed packaging.
Ranging from simple one colour print which communicates essential product information and the contents of the pack, to complex high quality print representative of photography businesses can choose the type of print they want and the impact they want to deliver.
Our graphics team are well placed to advise on this and as one of the best teams in the corrugated print sector customers are amazed at what can be achieved with their brands and artwork on their packaging.
One thing is for sure; customers are very happy to promote their brands once they are confident the packaging is fit for purpose and their customers and end users will have a positive packaging experience and a positive engagement with their brand and products.
A winning combination
By combining the two both tangible and intangible costs of product returns can be eliminated as can damaged goods, disappointed customers and the subsequent negative impact on a brand and a business.
Companies that invest in bespoke corrugated packaging position themselves as leaders in quality, sustainability, and customer service encouraging repeat business and customer loyalty.
With effective packaging being so much more than a box, bespoke corrugated solutions reduce return rates, improve customer satisfaction, and protect brand reputation—all while supporting sustainability goals. For businesses serious about growth and success in the modern marketplace, the move to custom-designed packaging is not just a trend, it’s a strategic decision which can deliver significant benefits.
Any manufacturer knows that product returns can be a costly business challenge. And, in addition to product being returned and the financial implication of this, there is the added danger of damage to the brand name and reputation which can often be far more costly than any financial loss attributed to the delivery of damaged product.
Most often, product damage occurs through incorrectly packaging items meaning the goods contained within the pack aren’t adequately protected through the supply chain.
But it’s not just customers that are impacted.
Product returns are a multifaceted issue affecting logistics and profitability to.
Hearsay suggests that e-commerce return rates can exceed 20% in some sectors, with damage during transit a leading contributor. For fragile, high-value, heavy, or awkwardly shaped items, the risk is even greater. Every returned product represents not only a financial loss but also an environmental impact—extra transportation, waste, and in many cases, products that cannot be resold.
However, with the right corrugated packaging, product damage, returns and refunds can be reduced if not eliminated and brand reputation preserved.
This is how.
Bespoke is best
Bespoke is always best but particularly if you have a product that is particularly fragile, high value, heavy or awkwardly shaped.
When businesses choose an off the shelf standard size case, invariably extra void fill is required which can them compromise the sustainability of the pack, if a hard to recycle material is chosen. Paper void fill can be used with great success however it does have its limitations in terms of strength required.
These challenges can all be overcome by choosing bespoke packaging, designed and tailored especially for your product range.
Our expert designers ensure solutions are created which protect the product through some or all of outer boxes, internal fittings, sleeves, pallet packs and more to ensure the product does not move and is protected through the supply chain whether that’s across the globe or through the UK courier network.
Promoting your brand
Marketplaces are very competitive places and representing and protecting a brand is critical to business success.
Choosing a bespoke corrugated packaging solution which reduces or eradicates product damage and return is the first step to protecting brand reputation, perhaps the second step is promoting the brand reputation to customers through printed packaging.
Ranging from simple one colour print which communicates essential product information and the contents of the pack, to complex high quality print representative of photography businesses can choose the type of print they want and the impact they want to deliver.
Our graphics team are well placed to advise on this and as one of the best teams in the corrugated print sector customers are amazed at what can be achieved with their brands and artwork on their packaging.
One thing is for sure; customers are very happy to promote their brands once they are confident the packaging is fit for purpose and their customers and end users will have a positive packaging experience and a positive engagement with their brand and products.
A winning combination
By combining the two both tangible and intangible costs of product returns can be eliminated as can damaged goods, disappointed customers and the subsequent negative impact on a brand and a business.
Companies that invest in bespoke corrugated packaging position themselves as leaders in quality, sustainability, and customer service encouraging repeat business and customer loyalty.
With effective packaging being so much more than a box, bespoke corrugated solutions reduce return rates, improve customer satisfaction, and protect brand reputation—all while supporting sustainability goals. For businesses serious about growth and success in the modern marketplace, the move to custom-designed packaging is not just a trend, it’s a strategic decision which can deliver significant benefits.
Any manufacturer knows that product returns can be a costly business challenge. And, in addition to product being returned and the financial implication of this, there is the added danger of damage to the brand name and reputation which can often be far more costly than any financial loss attributed to the delivery of damaged product.
Most often, product damage occurs through incorrectly packaging items meaning the goods contained within the pack aren’t adequately protected through the supply chain.
But it’s not just customers that are impacted.
Product returns are a multifaceted issue affecting logistics and profitability to.
Hearsay suggests that e-commerce return rates can exceed 20% in some sectors, with damage during transit a leading contributor. For fragile, high-value, heavy, or awkwardly shaped items, the risk is even greater. Every returned product represents not only a financial loss but also an environmental impact—extra transportation, waste, and in many cases, products that cannot be resold.
However, with the right corrugated packaging, product damage, returns and refunds can be reduced if not eliminated and brand reputation preserved.
This is how.
Bespoke is best
Bespoke is always best but particularly if you have a product that is particularly fragile, high value, heavy or awkwardly shaped.
When businesses choose an off the shelf standard size case, invariably extra void fill is required which can them compromise the sustainability of the pack, if a hard to recycle material is chosen. Paper void fill can be used with great success however it does have its limitations in terms of strength required.
These challenges can all be overcome by choosing bespoke packaging, designed and tailored especially for your product range.
Our expert designers ensure solutions are created which protect the product through some or all of outer boxes, internal fittings, sleeves, pallet packs and more to ensure the product does not move and is protected through the supply chain whether that’s across the globe or through the UK courier network.
Promoting your brand
Marketplaces are very competitive places and representing and protecting a brand is critical to business success.
Choosing a bespoke corrugated packaging solution which reduces or eradicates product damage and return is the first step to protecting brand reputation, perhaps the second step is promoting the brand reputation to customers through printed packaging.
Ranging from simple one colour print which communicates essential product information and the contents of the pack, to complex high quality print representative of photography businesses can choose the type of print they want and the impact they want to deliver.
Our graphics team are well placed to advise on this and as one of the best teams in the corrugated print sector customers are amazed at what can be achieved with their brands and artwork on their packaging.
One thing is for sure; customers are very happy to promote their brands once they are confident the packaging is fit for purpose and their customers and end users will have a positive packaging experience and a positive engagement with their brand and products.
A winning combination
By combining the two both tangible and intangible costs of product returns can be eliminated as can damaged goods, disappointed customers and the subsequent negative impact on a brand and a business.
Companies that invest in bespoke corrugated packaging position themselves as leaders in quality, sustainability, and customer service encouraging repeat business and customer loyalty.
With effective packaging being so much more than a box, bespoke corrugated solutions reduce return rates, improve customer satisfaction, and protect brand reputation—all while supporting sustainability goals. For businesses serious about growth and success in the modern marketplace, the move to custom-designed packaging is not just a trend, it’s a strategic decision which can deliver significant benefits.
Any manufacturer knows that product returns can be a costly business challenge. And, in addition to product being returned and the financial implication of this, there is the added danger of damage to the brand name and reputation which can often be far more costly than any financial loss attributed to the delivery of damaged product.
Most often, product damage occurs through incorrectly packaging items meaning the goods contained within the pack aren’t adequately protected through the supply chain.
But it’s not just customers that are impacted.
Product returns are a multifaceted issue affecting logistics and profitability to.
Hearsay suggests that e-commerce return rates can exceed 20% in some sectors, with damage during transit a leading contributor. For fragile, high-value, heavy, or awkwardly shaped items, the risk is even greater. Every returned product represents not only a financial loss but also an environmental impact—extra transportation, waste, and in many cases, products that cannot be resold.
However, with the right corrugated packaging, product damage, returns and refunds can be reduced if not eliminated and brand reputation preserved.
This is how.
Bespoke is best
Bespoke is always best but particularly if you have a product that is particularly fragile, high value, heavy or awkwardly shaped.
When businesses choose an off the shelf standard size case, invariably extra void fill is required which can them compromise the sustainability of the pack, if a hard to recycle material is chosen. Paper void fill can be used with great success however it does have its limitations in terms of strength required.
These challenges can all be overcome by choosing bespoke packaging, designed and tailored especially for your product range.
Our expert designers ensure solutions are created which protect the product through some or all of outer boxes, internal fittings, sleeves, pallet packs and more to ensure the product does not move and is protected through the supply chain whether that’s across the globe or through the UK courier network.
Promoting your brand
Marketplaces are very competitive places and representing and protecting a brand is critical to business success.
Choosing a bespoke corrugated packaging solution which reduces or eradicates product damage and return is the first step to protecting brand reputation, perhaps the second step is promoting the brand reputation to customers through printed packaging.
Ranging from simple one colour print which communicates essential product information and the contents of the pack, to complex high quality print representative of photography businesses can choose the type of print they want and the impact they want to deliver.
Our graphics team are well placed to advise on this and as one of the best teams in the corrugated print sector customers are amazed at what can be achieved with their brands and artwork on their packaging.
One thing is for sure; customers are very happy to promote their brands once they are confident the packaging is fit for purpose and their customers and end users will have a positive packaging experience and a positive engagement with their brand and products.
A winning combination
By combining the two both tangible and intangible costs of product returns can be eliminated as can damaged goods, disappointed customers and the subsequent negative impact on a brand and a business.
Companies that invest in bespoke corrugated packaging position themselves as leaders in quality, sustainability, and customer service encouraging repeat business and customer loyalty.
With effective packaging being so much more than a box, bespoke corrugated solutions reduce return rates, improve customer satisfaction, and protect brand reputation—all while supporting sustainability goals. For businesses serious about growth and success in the modern marketplace, the move to custom-designed packaging is not just a trend, it’s a strategic decision which can deliver significant benefits
Simplistically, developing an effective retail packaging strategy involves a carefully orchestrated blend of market awareness, brand alignment, and practical considerations.
In reality, it’s a multi-faceted operation which helps businesses to market their products either on a year-round basis, or for seasonal or promotional campaigns.
By aligning sales, marketing, product development and brand identity and choosing a packaging partner that understands retail packaging it can deliver huge successes, increase sales and profitability and position brands to encourage repeat business and foster brand loyalty.
Knowing your audience
Perhaps one of the most important things to consider is to know your audience. Big brands invest heavily in ascertaining this, but smaller businesses and those without huge marketing teams need to outline who, where, and how they intend to target their audience.
Having an understanding of customer preference, values and purchasing behaviours are all important, not only for the business but also for the packaging partner tasked with developing, designing and manufacturing the retail packaging strategy.
Telling the story
Once the audience has been established it is key to know what story you are telling. Is it an ongoing, over-arching message or a seasonal campaign that has to deliver maximum results in a short space of time?
This helps the packaging partner develop packaging to support this and tell the brand story, ethos and unique selling points to catch consumers eyes and encourage a purchase, especially those impulse buys which can imprint an unfamiliar brand on a new customers mind.
The part corrugated plays
Functionality, sustainability, and recyclability have become hugely important to businesses and consumers alike. The packaging must safeguard the product throughout the supply chain, be easy to open, and, increasingly, reflect eco-friendly values through recyclable or biodegradable materials. This is how a corrugated packaging partner adds infinite value, balancing aesthetics with practicality and environmental responsibility.
Because corrugated board is available in many different grades, which deliver greater strength, print capabilities and overall design flexibility, it is entirely suitable for the full range of retail packaging solutions including point of sale, shelf ready, dump bins, free standing display units, countertop and more.
And, because our team has decades of experience in designing the very best retail packaging solutions in line with our customers retail packaging strategies, we have helped those customers enjoy huge successes in retail environments.
What can you expect when you work with us?
This leads us on nicely to explain what you can expect when you choose The Cardboard Box Company as your packaging partner.
Celebrating 50 years in business this year, we know a fair bit about the corrugated industry. But perhaps more important than that is the fact that today’s Cardboard Box Company is constantly challenging the status quo and pushing the boundaries of design and material and print capabilities.
We’ve won awards for our print and have some of the best machine capabilities in the industry allowing us to execute the innovative designs we create with precision and flair.
Customers are reassured by the personable nature of our team, our ability to translate briefs into reality and to do all this with innovation and attention to detail.
If you’d like to know more about how we help you create an effective retail corrugated packaging strategy, simply get in touch with our team and let’s get started.
And we don’t mean corrugated!
Christmas, the festive season, peak period – call it what you will – is fast approaching even though it couldn’t really be further from our minds when we were creating this blog for you on the hottest day of the year! Mad really!
There are two things that are certain for the point of this article though… the weather will cool down and Christmas will happen just as it always does.
But could this be the year you get your packaging in order to ensure the festive season is a complete breeze?
We’ve put together a few pointers on what you need to consider and how we can help.
Meeting seasonal packaging demands
Perhaps one of the key things you can do to meet seasonal packaging demands is to start early, well ahead of the festive or peak season. By doing so, businesses can ensure they have their supply chain secured, their packaging partner on board with them so goods are dispatched to retailers, warehouses or consumers on time and without delay.
Similarly, for seasonal branded or printed packaging it’s important to ensure you have your designs (both constructional and artwork) agreed and signed off and ready to go well ahead of your peak season. Such tailor-made packaging can have a very positive impact on brands during their festive season; however, you need to be ready to go once those orders start rolling in.
Key to seasonal packaging success is ensuring you achieve the correct stock levels. We know it can sometimes be hard to predict, however your historical sales data, your planned campaigns and your sales presence all help us to work with you and plan a strategy which we feel will suit your requirements and ensure your operations and supply chain run smoothly.
Planning ahead for perfection
It’s not just about planning ahead to ensure design and volume requirements are met. It can also be the perfect time to review your packaging and make some timely amends.
We could help you streamline your packaging processes so you can better handle the seasonal spike or simply work with you to transform your day-to-day operations with bespoke packaging solutions.
Should you use hard to recycle materials in your packaging solutions currently, we can also work with you to remove this, helping you elevate your sustainability perceptions with your onward customers and help your business reach its sustainability goals.
Key to this type of success though is partnering with a reliable and reputable supplier, such as Cardboard Box Company, who know what they are talking about and are a preferred supplier to a huge range of businesses in the Northwest of England.
By considering these factors and all facets of the seasonal supply chain, businesses can prepare well for the seasonal surge and ensure a smooth festive period.
And, with over 40% of businesses seeing a surge in sales in the festive period, it pays to be organised well ahead.
Talk to our team and we’ll be more than happy to support so your peak period or festive season is all boxed off nicely!
Last week our team attended the Made in the UK awards at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool as finalists in two categories – Apprentice of the Year and Manufacturing Future Talent.
Sadly, we weren’t formal winners on the evening however, we are still hugely delighted to have received recognition for the work we do in our fledging apprenticeship scheme and how we work hard to develop our people and their careers, as do our fellow finalists and sister company, Board24, who were also shortlisted in the Manufacturing Future Talent category.
Daniel Johnston, Managing Director, The Cardboard Box Company commented; “What a fantastic evening the team had celebrating Laiten Scholes, Finalist and Jim Meikleham, Highly Commended in the Apprentice of the Year category and the business in the Manufacturing Future Talent category.
“As a proud manufacturing business, it was fantastic to see that UK manufacturing is thriving with some innovative and successful businesses being represented across the board. My warmest congratulations go to all those who entered and won; we shall look forward to achieving even more in the months ahead and to hopefully being represented at the Made in the North West awards again in 2026.”
To view all winners from the evening visit https://www.insidermedia.com/event/made-in-the-uk-awards-2025/coverage
The benefits of corrugated board as a sustainable packaging material are numerous and significant.
Offering unparalleled protection due to its robust and resilient structure, the fluted design acts as a cushion, absorbing impacts and vibrations during transit, which significantly reduces the risk of damage to the packaged items.
Complemented by its flexibility in terms of cutting and folding to create a whole range of shapes for fittings, it makes it ideal for bespoke packaging solutions that suit a wide range of product types.
However, these successes are only enjoyed when a professional corrugated packaging designer applies their knowledge to customer briefs and objectives.
The team at Cardboard Box Company is renowned in the industry for its talent and creativity but how do they deliver such successful projects and innovative designs on a continuous basis across a wide range of industry sectors?
Understanding the different types of corrugated
As there are so many different types of corrugated board available it is important they understand the different types of corrugated. The type of board chosen plays just an important part in protecting the product as does the design.
The unique structure, characterised by fluted layers sandwiched between linerboards, provides exceptional strength and durability. This design helps absorb shocks and impacts during transportation, reducing the risk of damage.
The type of liner board differs, the fluting differs, the number of layers differ and these all contribute to making up lots and lots of different types of board.
Our designers have extensive knowledge of these board grades and work with our suppliers, including our sister company Board24, to select the right board type for the project in hand.
Designers delivering solutions
Our talented designers, and those across the industry, leverage the versatility of corrugated board to create innovative and effective packaging solutions. They experiment with various flute profiles, combining different types to achieve the perfect balance between strength, cushioning, and weight. By incorporating die-cutting techniques, designers can craft intricate shapes and structures that enhance the visual appeal while maintaining the integrity of the packaging.
We won!
Last night we were delighted to win two awards at the Insider Media Made in the North West Awards at the Hotel Football in Manchester.
We were shortlisted in three categories – Manufacturer of the Year £25m and under, Manufacturing Future Talent Award and Apprentice of the Year, where we had two finalists, Laiten Scholes and Jim Meikleham.
Laiten won Apprentice of the Year with Jim receiving a highly commended whilst the business won the Manufacturing Future Talent Award.
“What an amazing result for the team, Laiten and Jim and I am very proud of them all,” said Daniel Johnston, Managing Director, The Cardboard Box Company. “My warmest congratulation to the team and to all other businesses who won and were shortlisted at this year’s event.”
The team and Laiten are now automatically finalists at the Made in the UK awards which take place the Titanic Hotel on 19th June, in Liverpool. The team will go head to head with colleagues at Board24 in the Manufacturing Future Talent Award as Board24 won the same category at the Made in the Midlands Awards in April.
“These awards show how robust the UK manufacturing sector is and how businesses in each region are proud of their achievements both on the production floor but with their people too,” said Daniel. “We were very pleased to showcase the corrugated packaging industry to the wider northwest manufacturing sector and highlight to the judges the ongoing investment we make in developing the business, and our people, to be the best we, and they, can.”
The full list of finalists and winners can be found by visiting https://www.insidermedia.com/event/made-in-the-north-west-awards-2025/coverage
The landscape of ecommerce packaging has changed so much over the last decade. So much so, it is virtually unrecognisable from the early days of ecommerce when everything was shoved in a poly bag and shipped with a hope for the best!
Today’s ecommerce packaging world is a fast paced, multi-faceted industry which many brands are completely reliant on. If their chosen packaging is not available, online sales can’t be despatched and the business would grind to halt within minutes.
But aside from the important practicalities of packaging availability, brands choose packaging suppliers for so much more. Product protection to minimise returns, ease of packing for efficient fulfilment and visual appeal for customers.
All of these factors can have positive impact for a business and its brand; done badly it can also have a damaging negative impact.
The art of unboxing
Unboxing is the process of unpacking products, particularly high-end consumer goods, and sharing the experience through videos or photos online. This phenomenon has become a significant aspect of ecommerce and social media, transforming the simple act of opening a package into a moment of anticipation and excitement.
Unboxing allows customers to showcase their purchases, highlighting the packaging and the brand’s attention to detail. It builds anticipation and excitement, as viewers are taken through the process of unveiling the product, layer by layer.
For brands where customers regularly post social content about the unboxing of products, it’s important the correct investment is made in creating visually appealing packaging as well as packaging which fulfils all the practical elements such as product protection, sustainability and ease of recycling.
Visually, custom designs, vibrant colours, and thoughtful presentation contribute to making the unboxing memorable and shareable. This visual storytelling helps in reinforcing the brand’s identity and values and can help to create a sense of community amongst consumers driving engagement, boosting brand loyalty and influencing future purchasing decisions.
Unboxing and the impact on social media
Aside from the obvious business benefits of ensuring a fit for purpose ecommerce packaging range is curated, creating an unboxing experience has become a powerful marketing tool for ecommerce brands.
By encouraging customers to share their unboxing experiences, brands can generate organic content that serves as endorsements and testimonials. This user-generated content can significantly increase brand visibility and credibility.
Additionally, the unboxing experience can shape consumer perception of a brand. High-quality packaging and presentation convey a sense of value and care, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. Conversely, poor packaging can lead to disappointment and negative reviews, affecting the brand’s reputation.
Packaging that is also effective packaging, as well as visually appealing, not only enhances the unboxing experience but also ensures product protection during transit. Minimising damage and returns are crucial for maintaining customer trust and reducing costs associated with damaged goods.
The art of unboxing has evolved into a vital element of the ecommerce and social media landscape, creating impactful moments that resonate with consumers.
As brands continue to innovate and invest in packaging, the unboxing experience will remain a powerful tool for driving engagement, loyalty, and business success.
Choosing the right partner to achieve success
To ensure ecommerce packaging meets expectations in all parts of the supply chain, it is imperative to select the packaging partner that not only meets your expectations but also brings ideas and innovation to the table as well.
A packaging partner should take your requests, ideas and objectives on board and develop solutions to ensure these are achieved but also suggest ways in which your pack functionality and visual appeal can be enhanced.
As purveyors of some of the best and most innovative constructional and print designs in the corrugated packaging sector why not let the team at Cardboard Box Company help you meet your ecommerce packaging goals?
Talk to us on 01254 232223 or drop us a message info@thecardboardbox.co.uk
As with any industry, there are lots of terms and phrases we use without a second thought. For those, who may be new to the industry or new to purchasing corrugated packaging here’s a run down of our top 20 most common, handily arranged in alphabetical order to make things that little bit easier.
However, should one of our team use a term that you are unfamiliar with, please don’t hesitate to ask us for clarification which we will be more than happy to give.
Board Grade – A grade given to corrugated board based on the weight of the weight and type of outer and inner liner and the type of flute sandwiched within.
Chop – The length of board or sheet
Clay Coat – An additional coating which helps improve the surface for printing. It can be successfully applied to unbleached or natural Kraft paperboard.
Crash lock base – A box style which enables the base of the box to be locked together without the use of tape. If offers a robust solution and is easily assembled.
Deckle – The width of the board or sheet
Die Cutting – A manufacturing procedure in which, a cutting forme is used to cut the design from the corrugated sheet.
Dividers – A corrugated design which creates separate sections within a pack. They can also be used alongside fittings to protect product and provide cushioning.
Double Wall – A sheet of board consisting of two outer liners, one inner liner and two flutings sandwiched between the liners. This type of board is often used for more robust packaging solutions due to its added strength and rigidity.
Drop Test – A test to ensure the manufactured design protects the product as expected when dropped from height without incurring damage.
FEFCO codes – A set of standard designs used by the corrugated industry. It covers many typical box, fitting and divider designs.
Flexographic printing – This is out most common printing process and our equipment permits up to six colours making it ideally suited to more high quality print requirements.
FIA – Flexographic Industry Association and host of the FIA awards which we are proud to have won on several occasions in recent years.
Fluting – The wiggle in the middle! This is what gives all board grades their strength and rigidity and impact protection when correctly designed.
Forme – A unique template with metal blades to cut the board either through a rotary or flatbed process.
Liner – This is the outer and inner surfaces. Typically, one is usually of higher quality to give a better substrate for printing.
Pantone – The most common colour matching system used to ensure we replicate your brand colours and designs exactly right.
POS packaging – This is Point-of-sale packaging and encompasses a range of different solutions including Shelf Ready Packaging (SRP), Free Standing Display Units (FSDU) Retail Ready Packaging (RRP), Dump bins and more to help brands take their products into retail settings successfully.
Sheet Feeder – A manufacturing plant that operates corrugators to produce the raw material required by packaging companies. Board24 is the Logson Groups sheet feeding division.
Sheet Plant – The reference for a business who buy corrugated sheet to convert the materials into packaging. This is what we are.
Single Wall – A sheet of board consisting of two outer liners and one inner fluting.
We are very pleased to announce we have been shortlisted at the Insider Media Made in the North West Awards!
This is in the categories of Manufacturer of the Year under £25m, Manufacturing Future Talent and Apprentice of the Year for Laiten Scholes and Jim Meikleham.
“We are rather pleased to have made it to the shortlist and to have our efforts and our people be recognised with other businesses in our region,” said Daniel Johnston, Managing Director, Cardboard Box Company. “We are especially pleased for Laiten and Jim, who really deserve to be acknowledged amongst their peers.”
The Made in the North West awards celebrate the best of manufacturing business across the region and brings all finalists together for a glittering gala dinner and awards presentation. This year’s event is to take place on 22nd May at Hotel Football in Manchester.
Daniel added; “We shall look forward to taking team CBC to the awards dinner and would be truly delighted to win at least one award! That said, it will be fantastic to see our region, one which we are very proud to be part of, being celebrated and all the businesses that make it such an amazing manufacturing hub.”
To view all other finalists please visit https://www.insidermedia.com/news/north-west/shortlist-announced-for-made-in-the-north-west-manufacturing-awards