Wins Factory Innovation Award

27 Sep 2005 07:04

Robinson PLC27 September 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 27 September 2005 ROBINSON plc Commitment to Innovation recognised in National Awards Scheme Robinson plc's paperboard packaging subsidiary recently was announced as a jointwinner of the UK's Best Factory Innovation Award in a national competitionorganised by Cranfield Management School and Works Management Magazine. Thecompany won the Innovation Award for harnessing the creativity of its employees,extending innovation into the supply chain and its collaborative relationshipwith Sheffield Hallam University to ensure Robinson remains at the forefront ofmaterials development and design. Marek Szwejczewski, director of Cranfield's Best Factory Awards, commented: "An innovative approach to manufacturing is essential for UK industry to remaincompetitive in the face of increasing globalisation. It is often smallercompanies, such as Robinson Paperboard Packaging, who have the vision and,indeed, bravery to look at fresh ideas and approaches to manufacturing to retaintheir competitive edge." Jon Marx, Chief Executive of Robinson plc, said: "A number of multinational companies also were nominated in this category, so Iam delighted that the efforts of the management team and all our staff have beenrecognised by such a prestigious award." "Robinson is committed to delivering greater customer satisfaction byoriginating creative packaging solutions to meet their needs. To do this, weactively promote a creative environment within the company, encouraging ourstaff to contribute new and challenging ideas, and we extend this philosophy toour supply chain and research and development relationships." - Ends - Notes to Editors:About RobinsonBased in Chesterfield, and with additional manufacturing facilities inKirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, and in Toronto, Canada, Robinson currentlyemploys over 400 people. It was formerly a family business, with its originsdating back some 165 years. Today the Company's main activities are in themanufacture and sale of rigid paper packaging and injection moulded plasticpackaging. Robinson operates primarily within the food, drink, confectionery,cosmetic and toiletry sectors, providing niche or custom manufacture to majorplayers in the fast moving consumer goods market, such as Nestle, Lever Fabergeand Whyte & Mackay. In August 2005, Robinson acquired a factory site in Lodz,Poland, where it is developing manufacturing facilities to service its CentralEuropean customer base more effectively. The Company also has a substantialproperty portfolio with significant development potential. About the Best Factory AwardsThe Best Factory Awards, now in their 13th year, are organised by WorksManagement magazine, in partnership with Cranfield School of Management. Theystand apart from other awards schemes because of their rigorous judgingprocedures, which examines every aspect of operational performance. We seek outcompanies that are relentlessly driving to improve quality, deliveryperformance, stock turns, and productivity to improve their businessperformance. The Best Factory Awards recognise and celebrate manufacturingexcellence - demonstrating that UK manufacturers can succeed in today's fierceinternational markets. For further information, please contact: Jon Marx, Chief Executive, Robinson plc 01246 220022 www.r1son.co.uk Sue Scott/Michael Padley, Bankside Consultants 020 7367 8888 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange