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This year, Duo, a Manchester-based packaging manufacturer, consultancy and supplier, has doubled UK-based production. The family business has invested £1.85 million in new equipment and facilities, resulting in the ability to manufacture 58 million more mailing bags.
It was anticipated that in the week following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, an additional 120 million parcels would be dispatched. Duo’s new equipment has enabled the business to easily meet peak season demand.
As a result, November was Duo’s most successful month in the business’ 32-year history with sales up by 22%. Other successes this year include Duo winning The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation. Duo was the first UK manufacturer to create mailing bags from renewable and sustainable sources, such as sugar cane, and has to date sold over 15.5 million of its renowned GreenPE mailing bags.
The business intends to invest a further £1 million next year which will be used to boost production capacity further, increase its sustainable product range and expand into international markets.
Commercial Director, Anthony Brimelow, said that “Despite the challenges of this year, it has been a real positive to grow our UK-based capabilities. We’re now looking forward to continuing this alongside our international trade partners and as part of our global network. Drawing on our presence in countries such as China, Germany, the US and Australia, as well as the UK, strengthens our resilience and underpins our commitment to maximising sustainability. We’re in [a] position to determine the most carbon-efficient packaging solutions for our clients, no matter where they are based, and will build on this with future investment and research that reduces carbon and improves resourcefulness.”
Picture: Left to right – Anthony Brimelow (Commercial Director), Zoe Brimelow (Brand Director) and Dale Brimelow (Operations Director)
