In a quiet corner of Milton Keynes sits the head office of Cerulean, a company of 120 people focused on the business of designing and manufacturing quality control instrumentation and packaging test and measuring equipment.
The company believes packaging waste reduction is about efficient manufacture, transportation and storage and every member of the international packaging supply chain can be accountable for quality.
Using science to create reliable international quality measurement standards? for packaging materials is what drives Cerulean boss Steve Frankham and his team.
Is Cerulean a new name in the packaging industry?
Cerulean actually started manufacturing packing machines for tubes more than 30 years ago and has over 800 installed worldwide. Originally a division of Filtrona/Bunzl and established in 1961, we were acquired by Molins in October 2000. Initially we developed a new way of testing filter rods and slowly became a manufacturer of process and control instrumentation, test and measuring equipment to the tobacco industry. Now, we are currently growing rapidly in packing and packaging test equipment.
Was it a strategic decision to diversify?
It was originally by chance – we were asked by a UK tube manufacturer to use our expertise for packing filters into boxes to help them pack tubes. The resulting packing machine worked perfectly and was the beginning of Cerulean's role in the tube industry. In recent years it has been a strategic decision to build on our packing and quality assurance expertise to achieve further growth. We are collaborating closely with our sister company in The Netherlands, Langen Packaging Group who design and manufacture cartoning equipment, case packers and integrated systems.
What's the next stage of development?
Our current focus is bringing more of our scientific testing and analysis expertise to packing. In 2012 we acquired The Newton Group which enabled us to launch our new laboratory carton tester this year. The system is unique in its ability to quickly test a whole carton for fold, form and friction properties and plots torque for every degree of deflection. This makes a real difference to carton quality, predicting performance and waste minimisation.
How critical is the science in materials testing?
Cartons and corrugated boxes for example, if stored incorrectly, or for too long, may have altered properties. By using our carton tester, a manufacturer has data evidence of performance including folding and friction properties at the time of supply. If later there is a packing machinery feeding problem, the reason can be quickly identified and in many cases problems can be flagged up before they arise. Dealing with discrepancies between carton batches and members of the whole international supply chain also becomes easier because the production data is clear and there's a common and transparent scientific measurement to adhere to.
How do you see your next growth phase developing?
We will be further developing QA and analytical equipment and services for the packing and packaging industry. More strategic acquisitions are being sought to help grow our product portfolio. Training, logistics and international service support for maintenance and spare parts will be enhanced.
We will also be monitoring changes and trends in the packaging industry. For instance, packing and friction properties for new tube materials are likely to affect machinery development to avoid downtime and waste. Further changes in regulated packaging are likely to lead to different test and QA products being required.
What key challenges do you face over the next five years?
Growing the company's global footprint in a sustainable and affordable way is a key challenge. We currently export to around 70 countries. We have sales/service centres with our own engineers in 14 countries in the EMEA region and Asia and our aim is to expand this by at least 25% by 2018 with a focus on emerging markets and further investment in R&D. Using science to help reduce packaging waste through accurate quality and measurement instrumentation is part of our on-going commitment.
Do you anticipate sufficient growth potential in the packaging industry?
Undoubtedly – the size of the global packaging market is around $800bn and growing steadily. We are already well positioned by our international network. Developing new technologies or adapting existing ones will enable us to offer a broader product range. A good example is our pack seal tester which tests the integrity of film wrapped packs. This is currently being trialled in the food industry for products such as biscuits and boxed tea bags.
Should we expect to hear more from Cerulean in 2014?
We are taking our products to a wider audience at Packaging Innovations at the NEC in February and Interpack in May 2014. Early in 2014 we will launch a portable version of the carton tester that is in its final trial phase. This product will add flexibility to carton quality measurement outside the laboratory environment.
A managing director with a PHD in chemistry – how does this help in your role?
In one word, science. Our technical director also has a PHD in chemistry and we employ materials scientists, physicists and graduate engineers. We're committed to using science in new areas where it can add value and there's a real economic benefit in getting the science right. Our air sampler for instance uses our own technology to sample the enzymes in the air when packing products such as detergents. Using science, being innovative and remaining responsive – that's what we believe will keep us ahead of the game.
