Lesters’ new automotive division to help reduce carbon footprint

Burntwood-based Lesters has launched a specialist ‘automotive’ division to work closely with OEMs, first and second tier suppliers and third-party logistics providers.

A team of experts in design, sales, marketing, and logistics will help clients reduce their carbon footprint through supply chain optimisation and the replacement of plastics and foams with sustainable packaging mediums.

“Our automotive experience, expertise and consultative approach go beyond the product to help identify and create value in supply chains whether that is reducing end-to-end costs, increasing efficiencies or boosting sustainability,” explained Mark Aucott, automotive business manager at Lesters.

“The sector is complex and requires a circular approach and that is where this new offer really comes into its own. From initial consultations and identifying different types of material to testing and tapping into our expansive prototyping capability”.

“By employing this method, we’ve been able to help several of our automotive customers potentially reduce their supply chain costs by up to 25% - a saving that can run into the hundreds of thousands of pounds!

“We also have the added benefit of Lesters Logistics - our very own supply chain capability that closes the loop for the customer and can provide next day delivery, ‘stock and serve’ and ‘pick and pack’ services.”

On the automotive side of the business, Lesters offers heavy duty packaging for extreme protection of intricate components and valuable items, and ‘easy pick’ folding pick bins that don’t require gluing or staples, making them easy to assemble.

It also produces bespoke die cuts, providing a wide range of style and board grades, as well as a host of tailored options that offer a unique combination of strength and weight saving features.

Lesters has invested more than £7m in creating an ecosystem around its core large format high performance box manufacturing capabilities and capacities.

This is supported with market leading design and innovation facilities, aligned with both theoretical and physical pack testing to support product development and testing before implementation.

Thanks to its two TCY Casemakers, which are capable of printing in three colours, the company has the capability to run over 465,000 large format, sustainable cases per day.

Aucott added: “Electrification is something that everyone is talking about, and we have already developed innovative packaging that has reduced costs in their supply chain.

“There is also major growth in the field of new automotive start-ups, where our expertise in setting up packaging and packaging lines can ensure a smooth transition into start of production."