Lester

What Lester does

Lesters Packaging (S Lester Packing Materials Limited) is a family-owned UK corrugated cardboard packaging manufacturer founded in 1983 and headquartered operationally in Burntwood, Staffordshire, with a registered office in Barnet, Hertfordshire. The company designs and produces heavy-duty and bespoke corrugated packaging — including octabin boxes, pallet boxes, extra large cardboard boxes (10–22.5 m²), heavy-duty packs, die cut boxes, retail-ready packaging, removal boxes, bike boxes, corrugated cartons, shuttle packs, and pick bins — manufactured on a state-of-the-art TCY Casemaker production line capable of 2500x4800mm blank sizes, which the firm describes as one of the most efficient in Europe for large-format work. Its core go-to-market is a sales-led, consultative 5-step bespoke packaging process (consultation, material guidance, CAD design, sampling/testing, production) delivered through dedicated account managers and business development staff, with revenue generated primarily from one-off and contracted sales of custom packaging units.

The firm serves a diversified UK enterprise customer base across industrial and manufacturing, fresh produce and agriculture, e-commerce and retail, logistics and fulfilment, consumer products, and aerospace and automotive verticals — with named customers including an EV charging equipment manufacturer, an aerospace/mechanical engineering specialist (ERIKS), a bathroom products market leader, a designer radiators specialist, a flatpack furniture supplier (including a partnership with noukk), and an animal feed exporter (NDC Polipak). Lesters monetizes through bespoke packaging sales, design and prototyping services, related warehousing and storage via its sister company Lesters Logistics, and a box recycling/buy-back service. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with multi-year contract structures. The company is differentiated by its 40-year family-run heritage, over 100 years of combined team experience, capital-intensive specialist manufacturing capabilities, and a comprehensive certification stack (FSC, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, BRCGS, CarbonNeutral, Ecovadis Bronze) that qualifies it for sustainability-procured enterprise contracts.

Name

Lester

Legal name

S LESTER PACKING MATERIALS LIMITED

Website

https://lesterspackaging.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lesters Packaging is a family-owned UK corrugated cardboard packaging manufacturer (est. 1983) that designs and produces heavy-duty, bespoke packaging solutions — including extra-large boxes, octabins, pallet boxes, and pick bins — for UK enterprise customers across industrial, fresh produce, e-commerce, logistics, and aerospace verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corrugated Packaging Manufacturing

NAICS

Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing (322211), Paperboard Container Manufacturing (32221)

SIC

Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650)

akta.pro primary industry

Corrugated Packaging & Boxes (RSC, die-cut, bulk bins) (IMAMAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Corrugated Packaging (Boxes, Sheets, Pads) (IMALACAA)

Keywords

• Corrugated cardboard packaging
• Heavy duty packaging
• Bespoke packaging design
• Industrial packaging solutions
• Warehouse packaging products

Headquarters

HQ city

Burntwood

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Corrugated Packaging Products: Design, manufacture and sale of heavy-duty corrugated cardboard packaging solutions including octabins, pallet boxes, heavy duty packaging, extra large cardboard boxes, bike boxes, die cut boxes, retail ready packaging, removal boxes, corrugated cartons, pick bins, and shuttle packs.
2. Bespoke Packaging Design Services: Custom packaging design and prototyping services working closely with clients to create tailored solutions. Includes consultation, CAD design, sampling, testing and full production.
3. Warehousing & Storage Solutions: Provision of packaging solutions combined with storage and logistics services through related entity Lesters Logistics.
4. Box Recycling/Buy Back Service: Recycling service allowing customers to sell used boxes, providing revenue stream for customers while supporting circular economy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Lesters Packaging designs and manufactures heavy-duty and standard corrugated cardboard packaging products including octabins, pallet boxes, extra large cardboard boxes, pick bins, shuttle packs, die-cut boxes, and corrugated cartons. The company delivers bespoke packaging design services through a 5-step consultative process covering consultation, CAD design, sampling/testing, and full production for businesses across industrial, fresh produce, logistics, retail, automotive, and aerospace sectors.

Product overview

Lesters Packaging is a family-owned manufacturer of corrugated cardboard packaging solutions established in 1983. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of heavy-duty and standard packaging products including Octabin Boxes, Pallet Boxes, Heavy Duty Packaging, Extra Large Cardboard Boxes, Bike Boxes, Bespoke Die Cut Boxes, Retail Ready Packaging, Removal Boxes, Corrugated Cartons, Shuttle Packs, and Pick Bins. Products range from standard off-the-shelf cartons to fully bespoke designs manufactured using double and triple wall corrugated board. The company also provides related services including warehousing, logistics, and box recycling through associated businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Octabin Boxes Heavy-duty octagonal corrugated cardboard containers designed for storage and distribution of bulk, loose fill products. Feature eight-sided design with base, sleeve and lid construction for enhanced stacking strength and reduced stress points.
• Pallet Boxes Cardboard pallet boxes consisting of base, sleeve and lid that fit standard wooden or corrugated pallets, designed for bulk storage and to reduce handling and shipping costs.
• Heavy Duty Packaging Corrugated packaging designed for extreme protection using double or triple wall corrugated board, optionally combined with foam inserts for higher protection levels.
• Extra Large Cardboard Boxes Specialist large-format boxes produced on dedicated machinery, sized between 10 and 22.5 square metres, suitable for oversized or unusually shaped products.
• Bike Boxes Cardboard boxes designed for safe transportation of bicycles, available in standard and custom sizes with double-wall protection from entry level to export grade.
• Bespoke Die Cut Boxes Custom-designed die cut boxes manufactured from single sheets of corrugated cardboard, quick and easy to assemble without glue or stitches, shipped flat.
• Retail Ready Packaging Packaging that provides transit protection and serves as in-store display. Cartons open along perforations or lift from base to showcase products on retail shelves.
• Removal Boxes Cardboard boxes designed for packaging and moving personal items, available in various styles and board grades with optional features like hand holes.
• Corrugated Cartons Standard and custom corrugated boxes providing protection with significant stacking strength, manufactured from single sheet with glued or stitched finish.
• Shuttle Pack Cardboard shuttle containers designed to fit standard 1200x1000 UK pallets, shipped flat with simple assembly for warehouse storage and distribution.
• Pick Bins Open-top corrugated containers for warehouse racking systems with lowered front panel for visibility and rapid access. Stackable, WMS-compatible cardboard picking bins that assemble tool-free in under 10 seconds.
• Bespoke Packaging Design Services Custom packaging design service offering consultation, CAD-based concept design, physical sampling and testing, and full production through a 5-step bespoke process tailored to unique customer requirements.
• Warehousing & Storage Solutions Provision of storage and logistics services through related entity Lesters Logistics, offering a one-stop shop combining packaging with storage and distribution.
• Box Recycling/Buy Back Service Recycling service allowing customers to sell used boxes, supporting circular economy practices and providing a revenue stream for customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20-30% picking speed increase reported for warehouses using proper bin systems
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lesters LogisticscoreOthersRelated company within the Lesters Group providing logistics and transportation services. Works in conjunction with Lesters Packaging to provide comprehensive 'one-stop shop' experience for clients, offering storage, distribution, and packaging solutions from a single source.
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSC certificate holder demonstrating commitment to ensuring that sustainable practices run through every element of the company's supply chain. Materials are sourced from responsibly managed forests.
• Natural Capital PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarbonNeutral company certification provider. Lesters has achieved CarbonNeutral status through Natural Capital Partners, demonstrating net zero carbon emissions commitment.
• UKWA (UK Warehousing Association)minorOthersIndustry association membership providing access to warehousing best practices and industry networking.
• Sustainable Packaging Association (SPA)minorOthersIndustry association membership demonstrating commitment to sustainable packaging industry standards.
• SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders)minorOthersAutomotive industry trade association membership supporting automotive packaging solutions and industry connections.
• Made in the MidlandsminorOthersRegional manufacturing excellence programme membership showcasing commitment to UK manufacturing.
• EcovadisminorOthersSustainability rating provider. Lesters has achieved Ecovadis Bronze Medal demonstrating ESG performance.
• noukkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on innovative sustainable Working From Home Desk packaging. Partnership to provide bespoke packaging for their flatpack home furniture made exclusively from FSC certified material.
• Chasetown FCminorOthersFootball club sponsorship partnership supporting local community engagement.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• DS Smith: One of Europe's largest corrugated packaging manufacturers with deep UK presence. Directly comparable on heavy-duty corrugated, bespoke design, and multi-vertical customer coverage, though at vastly greater scale and with vertically integrated paper mills.
• Smurfit Westrock: Global leader in paper-based packaging formed from the Smurfit Kappa–Westrock combination. Competes with Lesters across corrugated boxes, heavy-duty formats and retail-ready packaging across multiple verticals.
• GWP Group: UK-based protective packaging manufacturer (owned by Macfarlane since 2024) specialising in heavy-duty corrugated, foam-lined and bespoke transit packaging — directly comparable product mix and customer base to Lesters.
• Atlas Packaging: UK-based corrugated packaging manufacturer producing standard and bespoke boxes, heavy-duty cases and retail-ready packaging — a close regional/scale peer to Lesters serving similar B2B customers.
• Macfarlane Group: UK-listed protective and corrugated packaging manufacturer-distributor serving similar B2B verticals (automotive, e-commerce, industrial). Closest comparable by scale and UK-centric distribution model.
• Kite Packaging: UK distributor and manufacturer of cardboard, heavy-duty and protective packaging including octabins, pallet boxes and removal boxes — competes with Lesters on heavy-duty corrugated formats.
• Mondi: International packaging and paper group with corrugated operations across Europe. Comparable on bespoke heavy-duty corrugated, automotive/aerospace-grade packaging and sustainability credentials.

Emerging players

• Pallite Group: UK-based manufacturer of lightweight paper-based protective packaging (pallet boxes, layer pads) — partial overlap with Lesters' pallet box and pick bin range, with a more sustainability-led positioning.

Broad incumbents

• International Paper: Global paper and packaging incumbent, now including the former DS Smith European corrugated business. Competes broadly with Lesters across heavy-duty corrugated and integrated supply agreements.
• Sealed Air: Global protective and food packaging incumbent with adjacent products (Instapak, Bubble Wrap, paper-based systems). Comparable on heavy-duty protective packaging use cases even though formats differ.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/slesterpacking
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCwN1QMztvQaHjPywaIYygpg
• Facebookfacebook.com/lesterspackaging
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/s-lester-packing-materials-ltd
• TikToktiktok.com/@lesterspackaging

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lester