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Bartec Paper and Packaging – Sweet smell of success

Bartec Paper and Packaging – Sweet smell of success

For a PDF version of this story please click bartec

Confectionery and food packaging company chases sweet dreams following business support package from Growth Hub

Their company may be over 45 years old with annual turnovers in excess of £1million, but no one at Northwich-based Bartec Paper and Packaging is prepared to rest on their laurels. It’s a company that is as ambitious, and committed to growth, as it’s ever been.

The second generation family-run firm, led by founder Ute Cooper, has grown from a small start up of just two people importing paper in 1970 to a team of around 20 when it hits seasonal capacity – typically the pre-Christmas rush.

It has done so by specialising in packaging for some of the biggest and best brands in the confectionery, bakery and food industries, including luxury chocolatiers Hotel Chocolat. Its unique offer, which is also tailored to an emerging new wave of smaller, artisan bakeries and food companies, is helping it outperform its competitors.

“Over the years we have diversified our offer and that’s been really important for us in, what is, a very competitive space”, said Bartec Director, Patrick Ford. “We work with major brands or local artisans and, as a company, we need to be flexible and agile enough to change the shifting demands of our markets.”

With the order book bursting, Ute and the team recently recruited the help of the Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub in order to seek advice on the best modern management tools. “It’s all part of modernising our company systems and processes and ensuring we’re as efficient as we possibly can be”, added Patrick. “The advice and support we’ve had so far has been really valuable to us.”

Like any business that has stood the test of time, Bartec has shown grit and determination to capitalise on opportunities during the best times, and shown resilience and faith through some of the toughest times. And Ute and the team have had some tough times.

Serious fire damage wrecked the company’s original factory in Denton, Manchester in the early 2000’s. However, the company now boasts a purpose-built, British Retail Consortium-accredited facility in Northwich that is processing thousands of orders for brands big and small every year.

The company also has incredibly exciting ambitions for the future. With the support of the Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub, Ute and the team are benefiting from one-to-one coaching and exploring a range of funding options to continue to invest into the company’s growth. “It’s early days in terms of further investment, but we have some incredibly exciting ambitions for Bartec and we are looking forward to continuing to work with the Growth Hub to achieve them”, Patrick added.

For a PDF version of this story please click bartec

For more information about Bartec Paper and Packaging Ltd visit http://www.bartecpackaging.co.uk

If you need help wrapping up anything from new funding to financial forecasting, find out how Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub can help you by visiting http://candwgrowthhub.co.uk.