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Custom packaging company Kingscroft Logistics up for top business award
Added: (Sun Sep 25 2005)
AN AYRSHIRE firm is in the running to become the British Small Business Champion of 2005.
Kingscroft Logistics Ltd has been selected as a regional finalist, and will compete against five other Scottish businesses to see who will be crowned the regional, and potentially national winner.
The Irvine-based company, run by Kevin Johnston and his partner Jennifer Bennett, employs five staff, and its efficient operation has attracted the eyes of an expert panel of judges.
Andrew Stark from Lloyds TSB Scotland, the bank helping to judge the contest, said: “The quality of entries from Scotland was exceptionally high. Choosing six finalists from such a wealth of businesses deserving recognition and reward was very difficult.
“Kingscroft Logistics Ltd is a shining example of what a small firm can achieve for itself, its staff and its community.”
The Scottish winner will go head to head with other UK winners at the final at Claridge’s in London later this year.
The winner gets a tailor-made business trip to New York.
John Emmins of the Federation of Small Businesses said: “These awards are a brilliant way of providing much needed recognition both to business owners and to their staff.
“Just being short-listed sends out a powerful message to others about how you do business.”
Established in 1997, Kingscroft Logistics Ltd is a small firm offering delivery and tailor-made packaging services. It began life with only one customer who required special packaging to protect fragile goods.
Kingscroft now caters for over 250 customers, having expanded its service significantly in the past year.
The company has since succeeded in increasing turnover year on year and continues to grow. It prides itself on its ability to offer customers ‘Just in Time’ (JIT) deliveries, consignment stocking and a diverse product range.
Over the past five years it has expanded its product range and staff numbers to cater for the more diverse customer base with which it is dealing. It has recently put its business online in order to reach even more customers.
Kingscroft attributes its success to its reputation, product range, flexibility, and to the consignment stocking facility it has developed.
Jennifer Bennett says: “We are delivering very high quality packaging in many different forms, from cartons to tubs to flexible packaging which incorporates stand up pouches, doy bags and vacuum bags on a regular basis.
"We also are accredited by the British Retail Consortium/Institute of Packaging (BRC/IoP) which confirms that the standard of goods delivered are appropriate for goods being delivered to the supermarkets.
"A high number of our new products are now being sourced globally and brings a new dimension to the products now available.
“The high quality bespoke packaging together with cases and tapes, bubble wrap etc can be delivered to companies using our ‘Just in Time’ service or ‘consignment stocking’ which can assist with Lean Management techniques or just help if there is a space issue.”
Co-founder and managing director Kevin Johnston added: “Kingscroft has a very customer-focused culture, and provides a service to enable all our customers to concentrate on what they do best - manufacturing and selling their product. Kingscroft helps them to build their brand through their packaging and deliver options within the diverse area of packaging and then supply the product also.
“The range of sectors we can be involved in and the packaging knowledge held within the company is considerable - therefore the service being provided is rather unique within the world of packaging where reps usually only sell one type of product.
“People really take packaging for granted, but it is such specialised area that more people should be far more interested in it. It can transport the goods, protect the goods, sell the goods and develop a brand for every company and product, if given that little bit of extra time and expertise.”
Finally, Kingscroft are also offering a new service to private householders, which allows anyone moving home to be supplied with boxes, bubble wrap etc. This can be done by ordering online on www.removalboxes.org or by visiting the Kingscroft premises in Irvine.
Apart from its recent business awards, recognition for Kingscroft’s achievements has also come in the shape of Investors in People (IIP) accreditation, which it was awarded in 2003.
Community involvement is important to the business, which has sponsored a local art exhibition for the past two years. It also places advertisements to assist local charities.
Websites:
www.kingscroftlogistics.co.uk
www.removalboxes.org