Located in the Tamar valley on the border of Devon and Cornwall, Tamar Labels has a good claim to be the most picturesque label converter in the UK. It is also using digital to good effect as the business develops. DL&P went to find out more.
The last year has been eventful for Tamar with the purchase of Irish converter Labelit. According to managing director Robert Lee there has been a major learning curve through this acquisition with a movement into new markets, moving into new countries, operating in foreign currencies and an exercise in culture change. He said, ‘We have been looking for a suitable acquisition to broaden our markets for some time. Labelit fitted the bill perfectly as the market mix of confectionery and general food and pet food in Ireland and Eastern Europe opens new export markets for us. We are always looking for the right opportunities.’
The acquisition has broadened the customer profile mix, from small own label food producers through to international brand owners, retailers and supermarket chains. The acquisition has been successfully completed with the new sales arm in operation, and sales have grown from £2.5 to £3.5 million.
Tamar Labels produces a wide mix of work, from high quality labels for leading brands to the insert trays for Ginsters pasties and pies. The company employs some 35 staff and operates out of two buildings.
Keeping it clean
The ‘new’ factory was opened in 2003, the first purpose built label facility for BRC/IOP (British Retail Consortium/Institute of Packaging) clean room standards for food packaging. There is a quarantine area for all staff and for visitors, hats, clean coats and footwear protection are mandatory.
Dust is minimised with a positive clean air pressure system to push air from the production area and the epoxy resin flooring is cleaned, polished and scrubbed on a daily basis. Over 97% of all production waste is recycled through a vacuum based waste extraction management system that cleans and filters the conveying air before returning it to the production area.
Today it is full, with six flexo lines including three Nilpeter eight colour UV flexo press lines relocated from Labelit, with two HP Indigo W4050 digital presses. There is a single AB Graphics Digicon finishing system located off line that handles the output from both machines.
The company is developing its internal systems, looking to integrate more functions and link administration with the production workflow with the Esko Automation Engine 12. Tamar wants it to offer good CRM capability and many new features that will aid production of high quality output for small brands. It operates a design studio and works with many local businesses, participating in The Source Exhibition, a regional food and drink trade show held in collaboration with Taste of the West, an independent trade support body for small and medium sized food and drink producers in the West Country. It sponsored the 2011 Taste of The West Awards that was held at the Eden Project’s Mediterranean Biome. It works with many small producers, providing design and functional advice and will be appearing at the Speciality & Fine Food Fair exhibition being help at Olympia as it pushes its services to more potential customers.
New functionality
It converts a wide range of stocks, working with suppliers to develop new functionality. One example is with adhesive developers to provide specific peelable properties to develop new products for customers. The detail paid by Tamar is high across all aspects of production; all product boxes are fully labelled with example of the product within to make it easy for their customers to use.
Mr Lee is ambitious to push the business forward and capitalise on the growth. The company has gained planning permission for the construction of a 17,000 square foot new print factory. The strategy is being developed and it will certainly focus on the new opportunities being opened by digital technology in the label and packaging sectors. The future prospects for Tamar are very exciting, indeed.
