Michael Barter, CEO, and Graham Carlin, managing director, Blake
While the market for the envelope, paper and packaging sector saw a 5% continued volume reduction of envelope usage, Yeovil-based manufacturer Blake has bucked the trend with a 12.5% growth increase year on year.
Michael Barter, CEO, reflected that recruiting the right people has been a big part of its success in adverse market conditions, ‘At the end of 2016 we came up with the concept of creating “Hubs of Excellence” in Leeds, Manchester and London, to attract top talent. The success of this concept has encouraged us to open more offices in 2018, and three further locations are being considered.’
With growth in mind, 2017 also saw the strategic acquisition of Rapid, a reel fed envelope production site. ‘Acquiring Rapid means we can now meet increased demand for faster delivery times alongside negating some of the impact of Brexit by reshoring business to the UK,’ commented Mr Barter.
Blake will be also launching a new envelope product book in the upcoming weeks, with further products aligning its Creative Colour envelope range and its packaging offering.
Mr Barter concluded, ‘I am convinced with the team we have that we will continue to succeed with our ambitions, and with our forward thinking strategy, I feel 2018 will be our greatest year yet.’
