Mercian consolidates onto one site

Mercian Labels has transferred its Derby-based operations to its main Burntwood site 40 miles away in Staffordshire to bring all of its processes under one roof and streamline operations.

“We bought the Burntwood site in 2014 and the fact nearly all our 50 or so staff decided to move with us in February says a lot about our good working environment,” said executive assistant Lubica Brough. 

“We had spare capacity at the new site, which is larger than the Derby base, so consolidation at this location made sense,” she added of the 2,500sqm modern building in Staffordshire.

The company turns over around £4m from self-adhesive, multi-layer products. Kit includes an eight-colour, high-speed flexo-press and Xeikon CX3 and 3300 digital machines.

Three years ago, Mercian announced it had become the first printer in the world to install the Xeikon Cheetah digital label press.

Managing director Adrian Steele said: “Transition to a single-site operation has multiple benefits: cost savings and economies of scale are obvious.

“But with sales and admin now all under one roof, our communications and cross-training benefits will improve considerably. IT issues have been dramatically simplified.”

He added: “There isn’t much we can’t do now. Manufacturing of flexible packaging in short and medium runs is now also possible.”

Director of sales and marketing Hugo Gell said: "This consolidation will allow our customers to see our wide range of capabilities operating under one roof.”