contactsPrincipal

Winter 2014

Welcome to the winter 2014 edition of the fc cartons’

newsletter. It’s been a busy time with some exciting new developments. We just launched our new website. Our Technical Development Facility which helps our customers draw on our skills and expertise to handle particularly complex and intricately designed cartons, goes from strength to strength.

We successfully achieved an ‘A’ grade for the BRC/IOP High Risk Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials for the third year running. Plus, the results from our recent customer satisfaction survey were extremely positive. I’d also like to extend a warm welcome to our four new recruits – Thomasz, Aaron, Elzbieta and Jack – and wish them a long and fruitful career at fc. Do read on for an important insight into what we are doing to prevent the migration of chemical contaminants into food. We also wish Liam Cox every success as he embarks on his new role as Operations Director. Liam will oversee all aspects of the business and ensure that fc has the best working environment and processes.

Q & A

We’ve had a Bit of a Makeover!

Welcome Aboard

Making the Grade

Introducing our improved Technical Development Facility

Recognising Talent and Commitment: Liam Cox is Appointed Operations Director

In One Ear...And Out!

Results of our Customer Satisfaction Survey

David

contentsHere’s what’s inside this winter’s newsletter Q&A

with

Team

Migration MattersThis is the first in a series of two articles on food packaging and concerns about how it can be the source of chemical contaminants that can migrate into food.

What is migration? According to Dr Jane Muncke of the Food Packaging Forum Foundation in Zurich, Switzerland, chemical partitioning from the packaging into the food is known as migration. Migration is of relevance for smaller size compounds (below 1,000 Da). The extent to which migration occurs depends on various factors including:

• The physico-chemical properties of the migrant of the packaging material, and the food (e.g., fat content)

• Temperature

• Storage time

• Size of the packaging in proportion to the foodstuff volume (smaller size packaging has a larger surface to volume ratio).

The types of chemicals that can migrate from packaging into food are highly diverse and depend on the type of packaging material.

What we’re doing to prevent the migration of chemical contaminants into food fc cartons is on the frontline of migration. Many of the products we convert for our customers are used in food packaging. We carry out regular audits to ensure that there are stringent standards in place to prevent contamination. More importantly, we ensure the supplies we use in carton finishing are compliant with legislation, plus, we keep our MSDS/Food Compliant Statements on hand so that we can show them to our customers. We also enjoy a good dialogue with our suppliers and have the support of their technical teams in order to meet our customers’ needs.

Don’t miss our second instalment of this feature in our spring 2015 newsletter or for more information, visit the news section of our website at www.fccartons.co.uk

Frequent visitors to our website will know that we now have a new look. The new website which was updated in November, plays a significant role in our relationship with our customers. It’s been designed to provide a more user-friendly experience with improved navigation, functionality and new content.

One of the first things you’ll see is the new layout - one which is cleaner and more attractive with well spaced out text. This makes for easy reading but more importantly, finding your way around just got a bit simpler.

The plant list has been updated and now includes two of our newest additions – the Videojet 1520 printer and the Iberica JR-105 Die-cutter press. We’ve also put up a more comprehensive

list of our product capabilities which in turn, are linked to our comprehensive and expanding plant and equipment portfolio.

In discussing the company’s approach to the new website, Liam Cox, fc’s Operations Director explained, ‘One of the main goals we wanted to achieve when designing the new website was to help our customers get to know us better and get a feel for who we are as a company. Changes were made to the site to improve our customer service and create a positive experience for the customer each time they visit. Functionality, user-friendliness and speed of access are key fundamentals that have shaped the site’s development and just as importantly, our mission and values are evident and clear. We intend to continue improving the site so that it best serves how we communicate with our customers.’

We’ve had a Bit of a Makeover!

Check out our new website,

homepage and news blog.

Tomasz Laskiewicz is a Polish native and has been with us since April this year. He now lives in Derby and is father to one-year old, Adam. Interestingly, Tomasz has had a long-held ambition to set up his own brewery. When he has the time, you’ll find him on the pitch playing football or having a game of hoops on the basketball court.

Elzbieta Siudut has been with us for nearly a year now. She has a background in the service industry, having been a waitress before. She has now put her skills to good use in her current role as a Machine Assistant. She’s mum to Elena and lives in Derby. She’s also a football fan and enjoys watching movies, reading and catching up on sleep when she can!

Last but certainly not least, is Jack Chilton. Jack used to work in car sales for Derby-based Motorpoint as part of the accounts team. Having now been in his new role as Production Assistant for four months, Jack has found it a positive experience settling into life at fc. He said, ‘Everyone has welcomed me and I feel comfortable here.’

In his spare time, Jack enjoys going on long drives with his friends. As for which team he supports – it’s Notts County of course! His most cherished childhood memory is giving the Netherfield Boys a good thrashing, 22 - 0, to be exact!

Our second new addition is Aaron Stevenson who has been with fc for four months now. He joined us from a local commercial printing firm where he was a gluer operator. When asked about how he has settled into his role, Aaron explained that he feels fc is a great company to work for. He said, ‘There’s a lot more to learn here. The work routine is much better and everybody is treated equally.’

Welcome Aboard Over the past few months, fc has seen four new additions to our workforce. We caught up with them to get to know them a little bit better.

Tomasz Laskiewicz

Elzbieta Siudut Jack Chilton

Aaron Stevenson

Making the Grade We achieved an ‘A’ grade for the BRC/IOP High Risk Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials – the highest grade that the British Retail Consortium (BRC) awards within this standard – for the third year running.

The high risk certification provides our customers in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries the reassurance that we can meet the stringent hygiene demands of the accreditation. Gaining the BRC certification has been the result of hard work plus the dedication of the team, and it demonstrates our commitment to quality.

Ash Bradshaw, fc’s Quality and Systems Controller, whose skills and competencies were instrumental in helping us achieve the certification said, ‘The BRC certification requires a high level of commitment to meet the exceptionally demanding criteria across every aspect of the business. This includes controlling the environment we operate in, maintaining processes and securing the additional training requirements for personnel. Being audited against a global standard, which is recognised as the international benchmark for best practice, will give our customers and the supply chain confidence in the service we offer, and it encourages continuous improvement.

‘We are proud to have attained the ‘A’ grade, which is a valuable addition to our portfolio of quality and environmental certifications. This ensures that companies, that choose fc, are choosing a model based on safety, hygiene and quality.’

Kath Moulds, a consultant with Linden Management (UK) Ltd, who guided us through the requirements of the standard and ensured that we had the right documentation said, ‘I’ve seen many companies who pride themselves on achieving the Standard but at fc cartons I have seen a company who are not just satisfied with achieving but they also have a strong desire to surpass the standard.’

We welcome any enquiries regarding BRC related work, or indeed any gluing, folding window patching and die-cutting projects you would like us to provide a quotation for.

Recognising Talent and Commitment: Liam Cox is Appointed Operations DirectorAs Operations Director Liam will lead by example to promote our values, vision and guiding principles, he will have a hand in managing all aspects of the business. He will play a crucial role in ensuring that we have the best working environment and processes to meet the needs of the business, our customers and staff in a timely and efficient manner.

He will evaluate how fc operates and manage the implementation of business guidelines and strategies. In addition, he will ensure that we have an optimum working environment to ensure everything runs smoothly and in accordance with guidelines.

Liam joined fc on day one back in 2003 when we were based in Hawthorn Road. He showed off his multi-tasking talents then, driving the forklift, managing goods in/out and at times taking off on the machine.

At the time, it was clear that Liam had the attributes to enable him to develop and grow with the business.

Gradually, Liam progressed through the ranks to become Operations Manager and during his time in this role we added more and more processes. His team grew from 10 to 30 and the business built a reputation of providing a first class service backed by the robust quality of both our processes and systems. More importantly, Liam’s contribution has been significant to our success over the last 11 years.

In addition, we have seen Liam develop greater maturity, his confidence has grown and his product and industry knowledge are second to none. He leads from the front, demonstrating our values and guiding principles throughout the business. His commitment to the business is unquestionable. We have recognised his achievements and he has earned himself the prestigious position of fc cartons’ Operations Director.

Speaking about Liam’s new appointment, fc’s Finance Director, Debra Woodyatt said, ‘We are delighted to have Liam on the team. He is a seasoned industry leader and his wealth of experience will be extremely valuable as we continue to grow and diversify. We’re looking forward to developing the business further.’

Introducing Our Improved Technical Development Facility

This month, we feature our Technical Development Facility which is based at our headquarters in Langham Park Industrial Estate. The facility is designed to enable our customers to make the best use of our expertise in tackling particularly complex and intricately shaped cartons and we can advise them on the options that are available.

The Technical Development Facility will minimise the trouble and delay that our customers can encounter when running trials and figuring out ways to glue complicated and problematic cartons. More importantly, by making use of the facility, customers can free up their time to run their machines at full capacity.

David Woodyatt, fc’s Managing Director explained, ‘We pride ourselves on our ability to get things done for our customers and while we can conceptualise and create solutions, we’re also very happy to roll our sleeves up and take initiatives from idea to implementation. By drawing on our expert knowledge of the very best practices, combined with practical hands-on experience of developing solutions to potentially complex gluing items, we can help businesses avoid costly errors, whilst enabling them to protect and manage their time in more profitable ways and generate the results they need.’

To make use of our Technical Development Facility, call us now on 01332 850648 or drop us a line at: sales@fccartons.co.uk

We asked - How can we improve our services to help you? This is what you said:

Continued - Customer Satisfaction

The Mighty Pen

In this issue, an fc customer, shares his story about how his daughter Molly had a close encounter with an orange pip, but the fc pen was on hand to save the day.

Sometimes a young child may put something in their ear like a bead or a bean. That’s exactly what happened to Molly.

She described her experience, ‘I was eating my orange and then I found a pip, I don’t know why but my head was tilted to the side a bit because I like doing that. Then my arm went up in the air and the pip went into my ear.

Good job dad had a torch pen and tweezers to get it out. We now have it in a container. I might plant it to grow a tree!’

fc cartons invites you to share your stories on how the fc pen has made a difference to you. All entries will receive an fc pen and the winner will walk away with a £20 M&S gift card. Send your entries to sales@fccartons.co.uk.

Capabilities of

Die-cutting & Creasing

Window Patching

Multi-point G luing

Nested/Tray Forming

Crash-lock Base

Straight Line

2, 4 & 6 Corner

Wallets

Fluted/Corrugated

Tapered Cartons/Sleeves

Collarettes

In-line Inkjet Printing

In One Ear…And Out!

Results of our Customer Satisfaction Survey

• ‘Carry on doing exactly what you’re doing now.’

• ‘A proven supplier of excellent service.’

• ‘I find fc keeps abreast of the Trade’s needs and is always looking at new/different technology so more of the same please.’

• ‘Just a visit here to understand our needs and other opportunities.’

• ‘Cheaper prices are always welcome.’

• ‘Maybe more face-to-face catch-ups from time to time.’

• ‘Happy with the services offered at present.’

• ‘fc cartons, time and again has gone the extra mile to get cartons delivered on time in full without ever letting quality standards slip.’

• ‘Technically we know we can call on fc cartons to advise on methods of production and the most cost effective way of completing our projects.’

• ‘Excellent product knowledge.’

• ‘Excellent technical understanding.’

• ‘Keep up the great work; it’s a pleasure doing business with you.’

• ‘Just keep up the good work.’

Whilst we are delighted with the feedback we received, we are not complacent and will work towards achieving 100% Gold! Customer satisfaction! Debra Woodyatt - Finance Director

Our recent customer satisfaction survey which was carried out earlier this year showed that the results were extremely positive - we scored an impressive 98 per cent gold or silver for customer satisfaction!

We are grateful to all our customers who took the time to share their thoughts and views.

contactsprofilePrincipalPersonal

Reece PapworthProduction Assistant

Q: What has been your most life-changing event to date?

Meeting my beautiful babe

Q: What’s been the most embarrassing moment in your life?

Realising I had curly ginger hair

Q: What luxury item would you take to a desert island?

Sun cream

Q: If you could pick a celebrity to join Team fc who would it be and why?

Susan Boyle - it would be better than looking at Killy on a 12-hour shift!

Q: What’s your favourite meal?

Nana’s homemade meat pie

Q: What’s the best film you’ve seen?

Annie

Q: With a £20 million Lottery win – what would be your first purchase?

A nester

Q: Where is your dream holiday destination?

Jamaica

Q: Who would your ideal dinner party guest/s be?

Dave Perry aka The Chatterbox

Q: If you had a million pounds to donate, which charity would you like to see receive the money?

Cancer Research

Jennifer CookAdministrator

email: jennifer@fccartons.co.uk

Ash BradshawQuality & Systems

Controller

email: quality@fccartons.co.uk

Dane BarwellSales Administrator

email: admin@fccartons.co.uk

Liam CoxOperations Director

email: liam@fccartons.co.uk

Debra WoodyattFinance Director

email: debra@fccartons.co.uk

David WoodyattManaging Director

email: david@fccartons.co.uk

Unit B4, Langham Park Industrial Estate, Maple Road, Castle Donington, Derby, DE74 2UTT. 01332 850648 F. 01332 811915 E. sales@fccartons.co.uk W. www.fccartons.co.uk

Team

Your finishing solution

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