Roberts Mart is keeping it in the family – chairman John Roberts (centre) with sons, Ben and William Roberts, who have taken over the day-to-day running of the company
Celebrating 160 years in business, Roberts Mart & Co Ltd has just invested a further £2.5 million in new plant machinery to boost production capacity at its two facilities in Leeds.
With the company’s order books growing, this significant investment is expected to have a substantial spin off in jobs with the creation of a potential 25 new posts planned for 2013 to cope with increased production requirements, following the purchase of a state-of-the-art printing press and laminator for its Aire Valley factory, as well as an extruder for its sister business, Romar Packaging, based at Newmarket Lane on the outskirts of the city.
Central to the family-run business’s investment is a new Bobst F&K 20SIX CI flexo press. Chosen by the company for its print quality, ease of use and versatility, the press is the latest in printing technology for the flexible packaging industry and can be used to accommodate a wide variety of print jobs.
Capable of delivering the highest quality printing on any flexible packaging substrate, this addition to the equipment portfolio enables the company to break into new market areas and is set to boost production by 30 million linear meters a year, providing a significant return on its original investment.
Meanwhile, an increase in capacity will also follow at Romar following the installation of the new three-layer co-extrusion line, which will boost the subsidiary’s production of coextruded low density blown polythene film by 1600 tonnes per year.
The latest increase in capital expenditure takes Roberts Mart’s overall investment to just over £15.5 million over the last eight years, bucking the general economic difficulties affecting other UK manufacturing sectors by expanding into new markets, whilst remaining at the forefront of the flexible packaging industry.
Underpinning this success story is the family atmosphere on the shop floor. Not only is the company family owned, but it has attracted several generations of employees’ family members creating a resolute and loyal workforce over the years that has helped it prosper through thick and thin times. During the last year, 16 new staff have been taken on, and currently the total workforce number 147 at the two Leeds sites.
Sales director, Ben Roberts, said, ‘This significant new outlay we are making on capital equipment underlines our confidence in developing our existing and new markets. To meet the challenges ahead, we are committed to building a team with a diverse range of skill sets. Although Roberts Mart is extremely family oriented, we always welcome new recruits selected by merit to join the company and become a part of our extended family.’
www.roberts-mart.co.uk
