Castle Industrial has opened 'one of the UK's most comprehensive static packaging test centres.'
The Carnforth-based company has invested £500,000 in the new facility, which boasts an array of testing equipment to help customers ensure their products are packaged and transported safely and cost-effectively.
The test centre puts Castle Industrial's Lancashire-based operation 'on the map on a global scale', with only a select few packaging companies worldwide possessing the same level of technology under one roof.
Among the machinery added to the test centre is an acceleration bench to stress test pallets against transportation conditions, a tilt vibration bench to ensure efficient packaging, and a fully automated wrapper that handles all aspects of wrapping without human interaction.
Real-time data and live testing will play a vital role in the new test centre, helping to display the effect of changes to the overall load of pallets, and assisting businesses in optimising their packaging and logistics solutions.
Callum James, director at Castle Industrial, said: "The recent investment in this innovative testing centre reflects a strong commitment to offering customers real-time, data-driven insights to optimise their packaging processes.
"With load stability remaining a top priority, this facility will serve as a dedicated space for our experts to conduct live testing, further solidifying our reputation as the leading authority on packaging efficiency.
"Our pledge to every customer is to optimise pallet load stability, reduce cost and reduce plastic using accurate world-class market-leading testing equipment."
Castle Industrial's turnover has increased by 75 per cent in the last three years, from £12 million in 2020 to £21 million in 2023.
The business is now looking to capitalise on that growth and open up avenues into new partnerships with a global customer base.
Castle Industrial already has the likes of Ikea, EDF Energy, and L'Oréal utilising their services, and the investment in the test centre is set to draw in more large-scale customers from across the UK.
The new test centre enables businesses to test their packaging at source, rather than needing to do this at their facility, leading to no downtime or disruption to their operations.
Castle Industrial specialises in load stability, helping businesses around the UK to ensure their inventory is loaded onto pallets in a way that minimises damage and waste plastic wrap.
The test centre is set to improve the company’s ability to reduce waste and overall costs for businesses.
Load stability specialist at Castle Industrial, Ben Thompson, said: "The testing centre gives us the ability to practice what we preach, and back up our on-site testing, with a more comprehensive analysis.
"This data-driven approach allows us to be proactive in finding a made-to-fit solution for our customers, giving them greater confidence in achieving ultimate load stability."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here