We are very pleased to share that we, along with colleagues at Jardin Corrugated, are shortlisted at this year’s UK Packaging Awards.

The joint entry saw our team, and colleagues at Jardin Corrugated, design and manufacture an innovative solution for a popular home beer kit.

Both teams worked closely together to create a streamlined pack that protected product through the supply chain, reduced the size of the previous pack and ensured brand representation was evident in an eye-catching way.

Marc Stobbs, Head of Design, The Cardboard Box Company commented; “This project not only showcases our individual capabilities, but also the beauty of being part of the Logson Group and the collaborative approach we have when supporting our customers.

“This solution showcases the blend of eye-catching, high quality artwork with practical and robust transit packaging supporting operational requirements and a positive customer unboxing experience.”

In addition to this entry the wider Logson Group had the following projects shortlisted:

Durham Box in both Luxury Pack of the Year and Limited Edition Pack of the Year categories

Challenge Packaging in both Innovation of the Year and Corrugated Product of the Year categories

B&P (Manchester) in both Best International Pack and Supply Chain Solution of the Year categories

B&P (Doncaster) in both Best International Pack and Supply Chain Solution of the Year categories

The awards event takes place at Hilton Park Lane in London on Wednesday 7^th October when winners of each category will be announced.

To view all finalists for the Quality Awards visit – https://awards.packagingnews.co.uk/ukpackagingawards2026/en/page/2026-finalists?utm_id=32100&delivery_name=59106&utm_campaign=EMERALD_PN_EVENTS_UKPA26_Email%2019_05_08_25&utm_content=finalists%20reveal%201&utm_term=VIEW%20THE%20FINALISTS%20FOR%20THE%20QUALITY%20AWARDS&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Adestra

As businesses prepare for the final quarter of the year, ensuring an adequate supply of corrugated packaging should be a key priority. For many industries, Q4 represents the busiest trading period, driven by seasonal demand, holiday shopping, promotional campaigns, and year-end order fulfilment. Without proper planning, companies can face packaging shortages that disrupt operations, delay shipments, and negatively impact customer satisfaction. Taking a proactive approach to corrugated packaging procurement can help businesses navigate the busy season with confidence.

Our team shares some top tips to ensure you are well prepared and how we can support businesses from a wide variety of industry sectors.

Planning ahead

One of the most important things is to simply plan ahead for Q4. During peak periods, businesses across retail, e-commerce, manufacturing, food and beverage, and logistics sectors all require larger volumes of packaging materials. This surge in demand can place pressure on supply chains, resulting in longer lead times. Companies that wait until the last minute to order packaging may find themselves competing with other organisations for stock, potentially paying higher prices or facing delivery delays. By talking to our team in advance, we can work with you to ensure a strategic supply is agreed.

Accurate forecasting

Accurate forecasting is the foundation of successful packaging planning. Together with our customers we review historical sales data, previous peak-season trends, and projected growth figures to estimate packaging requirements. By understanding expected order volumes, we can more accurately determine how many boxes and packaging components will be required. It is also important to consider any planned promotions, product launches, or seasonal campaigns that may increase demand beyond normal levels. The more accurate the forecast, the easier it becomes to secure the right packaging quantities before demand reaches its peak.

 

Talk to us

Having early and open communication with our team oftens alleviates many of the challenges our customers face as demand increases. It helps us to understand your expected requirements, confirm production schedules and understand how our packaging integrates into your supply chain, reducing the risk of shortages and helping us to help you.

Seasonal design

Packaging design and specification reviews should also be completed well before Q4. If businesses are planning to introduce new products, perhaps undertake seasonal campaigns or simply increase their product range, these plans should be done and finalised many weeks prior to the start of Q4. Design approvals, testing, and production can take longer than anticipated, particularly during busy periods when our customers are managing increased workloads. Completing these projects ahead of time ensures that packaging is ready when products need to be shipped.

Sustainable and efficient

Sustainability continues to play an increasingly important role in packaging decisions and businesses can often need sustainable packaging in a short time scale often as a result of third-party involvement. Sustainable packaging options may experience particularly high demand during peak seasons as more organisations pursue environmental goals. Planning ahead allows businesses to secure eco-friendly packaging materials without compromising availability or performance.

Operational efficiency should also be part of the planning process. Reviewing packaging sizes and formats can help reduce waste, lower shipping costs, and improve fulfilment speeds and we work with our customers to ensure their packaging supply is maximised.

Ultimately, planning ahead for quarter four is about ensuring business continuity and delivering a positive customer experience. Corrugated packaging plays a vital role in protecting products, supporting brand presentation, and enabling efficient distribution.

Early preparation not only reduces operational risks but also positions organisations to capitalise on increased demand and maximise growth opportunities during Q4.

We are very pleased to announce that Jon Williams has been promoted to our Head of Sales.

Jon started his career in sales in the steel industry, and spent almost 20 years across various businesses before moving into the world of corrugated in January 2024.

Jon originally joined the business as a Business Development Manager and since then has proved to be a great asset to the team.

Jon’s new role is multi-faceted with the main focus to deliver budget targets by developing new customer relationships, securing new business, and achieving sales targets.

He works closely with the Account Specialists to ensure customer satisfaction

Jon commented; “This is a great opportunity for me and I’m looking forward to playing my part in consolidating and growing CBC. It’s a role that I can really develop, and I’m looking forward to shaping more accountability across the customer facing team, continuously meeting our targets growing our customer base and in the longer term more progression within CBC or the wider Logson Group.”

Daniel Johnston, Managing Director, The Cardboard Box Company added; “Jon has really proved himself over the last couple of years and this promotion is well deserved. We know the future of our sales pipeline and customer journey is in safe hands.”

Outside of work Jon prides himself on being a good dad to his two daughters, and is an avid Bolton Wanderers fan, which is often difficult surrounded by Blackburn and Burnley fans!

Jon’s free time is spent walking the dog, rewarding himself with the occasional beer, playing darts and thinks he may be on the brink of becoming a Padel enthusiast!

On 10^th September colleagues from across Logson Group will be taking part in the 130^th anniversary celebrations of our parent company W&R Barnett by taking to a series of Dragon Boats on the River Lagan.

We’re delighted that Matt Herd, Commercial Director; Jim Meikleham, Engineer; Janine Bodill, Quality Systems Co-ordinator and Marc Stobbs, Head of Design will be representing us and are split across the three Logson Group boats meaning there will be plenty of CBC competition too!

The three teams are captained by Emma Edwards from Boxes and Packaging (Birmingham), Hannah Hosler from Boxes and Packaging (Manchester) and Ben Turton from Challenge Packaging. They will rally the troops on the day, all whilst raising money for the respective chosen charities.

Emma’s crew will be racing to raise money for Let Us Play, a Wolverhampton charity that provides craft, sport and play for children with Special Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Hannah’s crew will be taking to the water to raise money for Cure Leukaemia which funds research nurses at UK blood cancer centres, giving patients access to treatments through clinical trials.

Ben‘s crew will be paddling for Finley’s Touch which supports children with cancer across Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Hampshire.

Daniel Johnston, Managing Director, The Cardboard Box Company commented; „This will be a great event and hopefully raise lots of money for these amazing charities which have been chosen personally by the team captains.

„If you can support our team by donating, the link to our Just Giving page is below.“

Each boat will have its fundraising matched as a minimum but if they progress through the competition, the amount increases at eachs stage. The winner will have their fundraising matched five times their total.

The last event took place in 2021 to celebrate the businesses 125th anniversary when  our 3 teams raised over £25,000. One of the treams reached the semi-final too which meant further matching from W&R Barnett Group, and the total donated to Logson’s chosen charities was £112,000.

To support the teams and donate simply visit their Just Giving Page where you can donate to the charity of your choice – https://www.justgiving.com/team/logson-boatracecharity?utm_medium=TE&utm_source=CL

It’s a warm welcome to one of our newest team members, Nathan Linklater, who joins us as an Engineer.

Nathan began his career with an apprenticeship in Engineering and worked at his first company Flexipol for six years, before moving to VEKA, which manufactures windows, where he spent a further six years, before moving to us and the corrugated packaging industry.

“The time had come for a change and a new challenge and the diverse nature of the machinery at The Cardboard Box Company really appealed to me,” said Nathan. “It’s been a great few weeks with lots to do, especially setting up our new Computer Maintenance Management System (CMMS), MaintainX which will revolutionise how engineering and maintenance is handled in the business.”

MaintainX will allow the team to schedule engineering maintenance, understand how critical assets are performing, track running hours and create data that will help make business decisions from day-to-day challenges to strategic investments.

Created specifically for machinery maintenance it’s a proven system that has added value to businesses through technology and already it is starting to have a positive impact on the engineering team and its processes at CBC.

In addition to implementing and managing MaintainX, Nathan, will carry out practical engineering tasks alongside his more strategic role.

Mervyn Thomas, Operations Director, The Cardboard Box Company commented; “Nathan has settled in really quickly and already made an impact on our team.

“It’s a huge task to set up this new system but in the longer term it will allow us to be more strategic and more efficient in how we take care of all our assets in the factory.”

When Nathan is away from work, he enjoys walking with his Cocker Spaniel, Bonnie, and climbing mountains. He has tackled Snowdon, Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis, and in December last year conquered the highest peak in Madeira, Pico Ruivo.

Just three months ago we welcomed our new Operations Director, Mervyn Thomas.

Mervyn joins the team from ProGroup in Ellesmere Port where had been for around three years. Prior to that he had enjoyed a career spanning a little over two decades in the plastics manufacturing industry.

A skilled professional with many qualifications relating to production and operational excellence, Mervyn has already made an impact on his team.

Initiatives have included collaborations between machine operators, sales team members and the administrative team to identity opportunities for achieving production excellence, ensuring the team are equipped with everything they need to do their roles to the highest standards and support our customers with operational excellence.

Mervyn commented; “What a start it has been; I have enjoyed it very much and that is also down to the very warm welcome I received, and the people I work with every day.

“It is such a happy and positive atmosphere to be part of, and I’m looking forward to many years here; making a real impact as we continue to grow and continue to be a flagship corrugated packaging manufacturer for both the Logson Group and the wider industry.”

With a clearly defined three-year strategy, Mervyn will continue to expand his team in line with the production output goals of the business, including more apprenticeships, something which he completed at the start of his career.

In recent weeks, new team members have been recruited including machine operators and an Engineering Technician to oversee the implementation and integration of MaintainX , a market leading CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management System),

Daniel Johnston, Managing Director, The Cardboard Box Company commented; “It’s great to have Merv on board as we continue this period of growth and investment in our people, our business and futureproofing our skill set.

“We’ve got some great action points outlined, with the entire team onboard to play their part in achieving the levels of excellence we deserve.”

We are pleased to add ISO14064 to our list of accreditations and certifications giving added reassurance and confidence to our customers.

Receiving the accreditation for the first time, considerable effort has been given by Katherine Jewitt and Carolyn Taylor who were instrumental in data collation and submissions, supported by Janine Bodill.

ISO14064 is an international, three-part standard that provides a structured framework for businesses to quantify, monitor, report, and verify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals.

Ensuring consistency and transparency in carbon footprint reporting, the standard supports mandatory and voluntary climate actions undertaken by businesses to elevate and report on their achievements.

Daniel Johnston, Managing Director, The Cardboard Box Company commented; “This is an important accreditation to add to our portfolio and shows our commitment to operating an environmentally responsible business.

“It integrates seamlessly with our EcoVadis objectives and reporting and combined give a level of transparency and reassurance to our customers as to the sustainability of all aspects of our operations.

“My thanks to everyone who was involved and the wider team for their ongoing efforts to achieve and maintain these important accreditations.”

To align with ISO 14064 businesses are required to:

• Develop a GHG Inventory which identifies and measures all relevant GHG emissions and eradications in the organisation’s operations
• Implement GHG management strategies to establish procedures for the collation and reporting of GHG data by ensuring necessary documentation os accessible and transparent.

Verification takes place on an annual basis and is currently a voluntary process referencing carbon data.

Every day our teams process many different types of board grades through our manufacturing processes to fulfil customers corrugated packaging requirements.

But what do the different types of board grades mean and why do they have such an impact on the packaging design and performance?

Here’s a quick overview of corrugated board and how we help our customers get the packaging they need.

Here’s a quick overview of the key parts of the process.

Paper types

All board grades are made using a combination of sheets of paper, referred to as liners, that are glued together with adhesive to a corrugated inner, referred to as fluting.

Two of the most common paper types, referred to in board grades are Kraft paper (chemically processed) which is typically is used for the outer liner of the board. This paper type is made from softwood and gives a smooth finish, ideal for printing. Test paper has a less smooth finish as it is made from hardwood or recycled paper which has shorter fibres. This is typically used for the inner liner or fluting.

Corrugators process either three or five reels of paper simultaneously to produce either single wall (two liners and one fluting) or double wall (three liners and two fluting).

The process

Firstly, reels of paper are loaded into the ‘wet end’ of the corrugator. Initially, the paper is treated with heat and steam to make it more flexible to allow for easier fluting before being fed into the single facer.  The single facer is the part of the corrugator that creates a series of arches (fluting) created by large rotating cylinders with a corrugated profile thereby creating the grooves. Different cylinders with different profiles create the different flute types.

At the next stage, adhesive is applied to the tips of the flute, and the first liner is pressed onto the fluting. A combination of steam, heat and pressure adheres the paper to the fluting to create a strong bond. This single face board, the first stage of any corrugated board production process continues its journey down the corrugated where a second liner is applied using the same methods. Less pressure is applied at this stage, so the flutes are not crushed.

To manufacture double wall board, both corrugator’s single facers will be running which delivers two single face webs to the bridge part of the corrugator to be joined together at the double glue unit. It is at this stage that the outside or double-faced liner will be joined to the single face web.

Finally, the board is cut to size both the width (deckle) and length (chop). The required sheet sizes are then palletised and ticketed for onward shipping to our sheet plant customers.

Strength and durability

Through the innovative use of different flutings, varying degrees of strength are achieved which gives corrugated its strength when used by sheet plants like us to manufacture corrugated boxes and packaging solutions.

Different board grades are achieved by putting different paper weights and grammage through the corrugation process.

How we help our customers

If our customers are new to corrugated board, or indeed just want some professional advice, our design and sales teams have very knowledgeable as to how the different types of corrugated board perform in a huge array of designs and scenarios.

This is why the consultation and design process is so important to us and our customers. By ascertaining all the key facts, understanding how the packaging is used, how it travels through the supply chain and how the product is packed and unpacked helps our team to design and manufacture corrugated packaging that truly adds value.

We have some superb vacancies available currently for Production Operators and a Multi-Skilled Engineer.

Check out the job descriptions below and if you’d like to apply, please email mthomas@thecardboardbox.co.uk

Full time Production Operator

Shift Pattern: Days and afternoons + permanent night shift

About the Role

We are looking for a reliable and motivated Machine Operator to join our production team. You will be responsible for running and maintaining a variety of machinery used in the packaging and print manufacturing process, including:

• Bobst machines
• High Quality Printing & finishing equipment
• Cardboard conversion machinery
• Casemakers
• Strapping & packaging equipment
• Compressors (basic operation and monitoring)

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys hands-on work, problem-solving, and being part of a fast-paced production environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate production machinery safely and efficiently.
• Set up machines for new jobs, ensuring correct materials, settings, and specifications.
• Monitor machine performance and quality throughout the production run.
• Make basic adjustments to maintain product quality and minimise downtime.
• Report faults or maintenance issues promptly to the engineering team.
• Carry out basic cleaning, lubrication, and routine checks as part of daily maintenance.
• Record production data accurately, including counts, waste, and job times.
• Work closely with team members to achieve production targets and deadlines.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organised working environment.
• Follow company procedures, quality standards, and health & safety rules.

 

Skills & Experience Required

Essential:

• Previous experience working in a fast-paced manufacturing, print, or packaging environment.
• Ability to operate or assist with industrial machinery.
• Good mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn new equipment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Basic understanding of health & safety in a production setting.

Desirable:

• Experience operating Bobst, folder-gluers, die-cutters, printers, or casemakers.
• Background in corrugated or print manufacturing.
• Forklift licence (or willingness to train).
• Previous experience with machine setup/changeovers.

 

Personal Attributes

• Reliable, punctual, and hardworking.
• Positive attitude with a willingness to learn.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure.
• Takes pride in producing high-quality work.

 

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and overtime opportunities.
• Company pension scheme – 5% employee and 3% employer.
• Death in service – 4 x salary.
• Health and Wellbeing app access We Care.
• Training and professional development opportunities (OEM training available).
• A supportive team environment.

 

Full time Multi-Skilled Engineer

Shift Pattern: Days and afternoons – 06:00 to 14:15, 14:10 to 22:30 + possible on call

About the Role

We are looking for a highly capable Multiskilled Engineer to join our dynamic engineering team. This is a hands-on role supporting a wide range of industrial equipment used in the packaging and print production environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for the maintenance, repair, and optimisation of machinery including:

• Bobst Machines (folder-gluers, die-cutters, etc.)
• Compressors
• High Quality Printing Machines
• Cardboard Conversion Machinery
• Casemakers
• Strapping and Packaging Equipment

If you thrive in a fast-paced production environment and enjoy working with varied, complex machinery, this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and reactive maintenance across all equipment.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic issues.
• Reduce downtime by diagnosing faults quickly and implementing effective solutions.
• Support production teams during machine setups, changeovers, and performance improvements.
• Maintain documentation including maintenance logs, parts usage, and service reports.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety standards and company procedures.
• Contribute to continuous improvement projects to enhance machine reliability and efficiency.
• Liaise with suppliers, OEMs, and contractors when required.

Skills & Experience Required

Essential:

• Proven background as a Multiskilled Maintenance Engineer or Service Engineer in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong mechanical and electrical fault-finding capabilities.
• Experience with one or more of the following:
• Bobst or other folder-gluer/die-cut machinery
• Print machinery or finishing equipment
• Corrugated cardboard production or conversion
• Casemaking equipment
• Industrial compressors
• Strapping/banding machines
• Ability to read and work from engineering drawings (mechanical/electrical).
• Knowledge of pneumatics and hydraulics.
• Strong problem-solving mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.

Desirable:

• Experience within the packaging, print, or corrugated board industries.
• PLC understanding (inputs/outputs, basic fault finding).
• Relevant engineering qualifications (NVQ Level 3, HNC, or equivalent).
• 18th Edition wiring regulations

Personal Attributes:

• Proactive and self-motivated.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally.
• Able to manage time effectively in a busy environment.

Kris Howson, who has been with the business for 15 years, has moved into a new role as Continuous Improvement Manager.

His design experience and knowledge of all the production capabilities of the business means he is well placed to develop and implement strategies to maximise output.

Initially, Kris will focus on the manufacturing element of the business focusing on improving machine performance, increasing running speeds, reducing waste, tightening up processes, and standardising best practice.

Commenting on his new role Kris said, “It’s very hands-on with the crews, reviewing layouts and workflows, and ensuring the correct systems are in place to ensure we are operationally efficient.

“A key part of the role is acting as a link between sales, manufacturing, health and safety, and operations, making sure communication is clear, projects are clearly defined and implemented, and the teams are aligned to deliver those projects efficiently and safely.”

Kris is also overseeing the implementation of larger projects, onboarding of new key accounts coming into the factory and reviewing new machinery and upgrades to support the additional growth and maximise capacity.

Longer term, the role will extend beyond manufacturing into other areas of the business including sales and transport, so the business is as efficient as it possibly can be.

 

Daniel Johnston, Managing Director, The Cardboard Box Company said “We have some exciting plans for 2026 and beyond and it was necessary to have a single person who could co-ordinate performance improvement across the whole business, not just on the shop floor.

 

“We have a very good business and team here that is operationally strong. Now it’s about making those small incremental changes that will maximise our performance and efficiencies, delivering small gains that will make big differences.”