National Innovation Award

6 Feb 2006 07:01

Robinson PLC06 February 2006 06 February 2006 ROBINSON plc Product Innovation recognised by National Award Scheme Robinson plc ("Robinson" or "the Company"; stock code: RBN), the custommanufacturer of paperboard and plastic packaging for the food, drinks andpersonal care markets, is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, RobinsonPaperboard Packaging, has won an award for Industrial Innovation from YorkshireForward Centres of Industrial Collaboration ("CIC") as a result of itspartnership with Design Futures, part of Sheffield Hallam University. Bridgingthe gap between industry know-how and university research, CIC helps businessesimprove commercial competitiveness by harnessing the skills of leading R&Dfacilities in the Yorkshire and Humber areas. Robinson recognises the importance of innovation in a highly competitiveenvironment. A collaborative arrangement between its in-house packagingdesigners and the creative team at Design Futures has enabled Robinson to becomemore responsive to its customers' needs and to proactively develop innovative"home-grown" products. For example, Robinson already incorporates RFID tags intoits spirally wound paperboard tubes at the manufacturing stage. These tags allowbrand owners and retailers to manage their supply chains more effectively and todetect and eliminate product counterfeiting and diversion. Professor Jim Roddis, Assistant Dean for Research and Development at Sheffield Hallam University, said: "It's refreshing to work with a company with a clear strategic direction, which understands and manages the risks involved in innovation and invests in fundamental research to underpin new product development." Jon Marx, Chief Executive of Robinson plc, commented: "I am delighted that our creative partnership with Design Futures has been recognised by this significant national award. Robinson is committed to delivering greater customer satisfaction and cementing our relationships with our blue chip customer base by developing bespoke, innovative packaging solutions." - Ends - Notes to Editors About Robinson plcBased in Chesterfield, and with additional manufacturing facilities inKirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, in Toronto, Canada, and in Lodz, Poland,Robinson currently employs over 400 people. It was formerly a family business,with its origins dating back some 165 years. Today the Company's main activitiesare in the manufacture and sale of rigid paper packaging and injection mouldedplastic packaging. Robinson operates primarily within the food, drink,confectionery, cosmetic and toiletry sectors, providing niche or custommanufacture to major players in the fast moving consumer goods market, such asNestle, Lever Faberge and Whyte & Mackay. The Company also has a substantialproperty portfolio with significant development potential. About Yorkshire Forward Centres of Industrial CollaborationThe Yorkshire Forward Centres of Industrial Collaboration help businesses, bothlarge and small, improve their commercial competitiveness by harnessing thetechnical expertise of world-leading R&D facilities in the Yorkshire and Humberareas, translating knowledge and facilities into business benefits. The awardsshowcase academic and commercial partnerships which increase competitiveness aswell as demonstrate wider environmental, social, health or industrial benefits. About Design FuturesDesign Futures, part of Sheffield Hallam University, incorporates product andpackaging design consultancy and art and design research. For further information, please contact: Jon Marx, Chief Executive, Robinson plc 01246 220022 www.r1son.co.ukSusan Scott/Michael Padley, Bankside Consultants 020 7367 8888 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange