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The Mercian Labels Group invests£1m in a major factory refit opening

Midlands label manufacturer The Mercian Labels Group are bucking the trend by opening their newly refurbished factory following 40 years of successful trading.
The new refit of the offices and factory concludes a £1m investment programme that has been carried out over the last 3 years, and includes the launch of a new brand of security labels known as Label Lock ™. As the firm continues to grow, further jobs have been created both at the site in Cannock as well as at their newly acquired business AC Labels in Derby to now total 32 staff.
Mercian Labels

The opening was conducted by Mr Aidan Burley MP , and was attended by printing industry executives Mr Paul Briggs, Industrial Sales Mgr – Xeikon UK (leading manufacturers of Digital Printing Presses) and Mr Chris Green, Sales Director – Gerhardt Ltd. , (leading manufacturers of cutting tools for converting and printing industries), Mr James Boughton, Managing Director Edale Ltd (the UK’s leading printing and converting press manufacturer) as well as Mr John Wigley, Banking Relationship Manager – RBS , and Mr Andreas Greiner, Purchasing Manager – Legrand Electric Ltd .
Dr Adrian Steele, Managing Director, said: ‘Last year, Mercian Labels reached a landmark following 40 years of printing self adhesive labels, as well as completing the acquisition of the new business in Derby. The last ten years have been spent in our purpose built factory and offices in Cannock, and we felt it fitting that our latest investment programme concluded with a makeover that creates an even better working environment for our growing number of local employees’.

Mr Hugo Gell, Sales Director, added: ‘The recent launch of our security labels brand, Label Lock , has opened the doors to new markets worldwide. It is important that we create the right impression as we play host to potential customers from overseas who are keen to meet the world leaders in the security labels and tamper proof tape market. Investments in R&D, printing presses and equipment have now been complimented with up-to-date administration and sales facilities to create a first class base from which we will continue to expand our operations.’

Mr Aidan Burley, MP for Cannock Chase, who was on hand to declare the new facilities officially open said: ‘It is always a pleasure to see manufacturing businesses in this area flourishing. Too often we are quick to talk ourselves down, but here is proof that with imagination, determination and a focus on quality and value, British Industry can compete on a global scale. Investment in growth and a determination to maintain a manufacturing presence here is essential for this country’s economic recovery. Not only have Mercian Labels grown their domestic labelling business consistently, but they have now branched out into overseas markets with their unique Label Lock brand. I am especially pleased to see a strong local focus in their investments, and wish them all the best with their ventures in the future.’
Thanking Mr Burley for his support, Mr Dennis Marrison, Chairman, described Mercian Labels as ‘a model of its kind – an example of the best of British manufacturing’. “The Mercian Labels Group,” he said, “is a high quality, low cost producer, with state of the art equipment, innovative products and a committed and skilful workforce. That’s a formula that allows it to compete effectively in global markets and underpins its ongoing success.”
Mercian Labels Ltd was formed in 1969, and its principal business is printing self-adhesive labels in medium and short runs for UK businesses, using a variety of methods including digital , flexo and hotfoil technologies. AC Labels i n Derby were acquired in 2010, adding long run variable data and barcode label capabilities to the product portfolio, and providing jobs for another 9 people.
The Label Lock brand was la
unched in 2008 and is the major growth market. These highly innovative tamper evident seals are used to secure vehicles, documents, computers and packaging, using unique technologies developed following a major R&D programme and further investment in plant and machinery. Tamper Evident Tape is just the latest development in this expanding portfolio of products.

2010 saw the 6 th  successive year of record profit growth, much of which is reinvested in the business to secure its future. (£1m in the last 3 years from retained profit).

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