Lesters thinks out of the box with recruitment drive

Burntwood-based Lesters Packaging has embarked on a new recruitment drive as it looks to bridge the skills gap in the packaging sector. The specialist in corrugated boxes and bespoke packaging solutions is creating ten machine operator positions at its ‘state of the art’ facility in direct response to a lack of new people coming into the industry since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Significant investment has also been channelled into a specialist training plan to help develop its own team members through apprenticeships or by converting engineers from other sectors, including aerospace, automotive and machine tools. The roles will be hands-on and involve operating and maintaining two TCY large format casemakers that are capable of manufacturing up to 15,000 boxes every hour.

Billy Hutchinson, lesters managing director, said: “Fewer young people are entering our sector and this, when combined with an ageing workforce across the sector, means our industry is facing a serious skills shortage - unless we take our own action.

“That is what we are doing. We have got a lot of opportunities coming through and we need to ensure we have the capacity required to ramp up production volumes, hence creating the 10 new roles. Some of these could be apprentices, some could be experienced professionals or others could be taken from trades which have similar skills, such as attention to detail, process management and mechanical aptitude.”

Specialist training programme
He continued: “Machinery and technology have also become more advanced and that is why we have also launched our specialist training programme, which will give new recruits all the skills they will need to be a successful operator. They can also learn from our more experienced engineers, who will act as mentors.”

Lesters has seen revenues rise by £7 million since 2023 with customers across automotive, engineering, medical and retail tapping into the company’s ecosystem that takes them from the core box range and specialist design, through to supply chain services and an enhanced innovation and R&D offer.

As well as investing in new technology, the company is also a firm believer in funding team development and delivering tailored personal development opportunities. This includes continuous training, the chance to work on the latest packaging technology and a host of industry-leading pay and benefits packages.

Mr Hutchinson continued: “At Lesters our operators are not just a number, they are at the very heart of what we do. There’s a real team culture in place and opportunities to work across different areas of the business as people learn and grow. Many of our employees have been here for ten years and more.”

Lesters has recently achieved the ’AA’ BRCGS standard for the way it has implemented robust systems to ensure the safety, quality and legality of its products — essential for working with clients in the food and drinks sector.