Benchmark invests to win AG Barr contract

Benchmark Packaging, the Glasgow-based company that is aiming to become Scotland's first choice contract packer, has invested £60,000 in new machinery to secure a major contract with AG Barr - the manufacturer of Scotland's other national drink, IRN-BRU.

The contract will see the Hillington company labelling more than three-million bottles of IRN-BRU, Sugar Free IRN-BRU, Ginger Beer, American Cream Soda and Original Lemonade over the next 12-months. Once complete the Barr's returnable glass bottles, which are unique in the soft drinks market, will be sold for use in licensed premises throughout the UK.

The investment that secured the contract was in an automated Pago System 148 line that enabled Benchmark to replace traditional paper labels with high quality self adhesive ones. This development significantly enhanced the company's labelling capability, meaning it could easily accommodate the AG Barr job and still have capacity for a number of similarly sized contracts.

Benchmark's managing director, Russell Cohen said: "When we re-launched our contract packing division earlier this year we made the decision to go head-to-head with the UK's leading contract packers in order to give Scottish businesses the option to keep their work north of the border."

"In order to achieve this goal we planned to invest £500,000 in our management team, facilities, processes and new product areas during 2011 / 12 - although at the time we didn't envisage any of the investment paying such immediate dividends."

Benchmark launched its technically driven and innovative contract packing service, with the support of Scottish Enterprise including RSA (Regional Selective Assistance) grant funding, in June 2011. The company's intention was to provide a level of service that would give Scottish companies the option to remove the logistical and financial nightmare of sending products to England, or further afield, for packing, while also developing a business that could compete with and win business from the major national contract packers. 

"When we launched we knew there was demand for a high quality contract packing service here in Scotland, but have still been taken aback by the positive response we've had from so many," concluded Mr Cohen.

Benchmark Packaging's service includes automated case assembly, specialist carton and tube packing, automated front and back bottle labelling, shrink sleeving, gift set management, RF tagging, and glass inspection and assembly. Additions to its capabilities are expected shortly. In addition to AG Barr, Chivas Brothers,Chesapeake, Burns Stewart, The Edrington Group and William Grant & Sons are already on-board as customers.

For further information on Benchmark Packaging and its services visit www.bpss.co.uk or e-mail info@bpss.co.uk or call 0141 892 6688