Leyland Packaging

What Leyland Packaging does

Leyland Packaging is an independent, family-run UK packaging supplier founded in 1991 by John Bates and now led by his son Mark Bates as Managing Director. The company operates from a single headquarters and warehouse facility in Northampton (Unit 21, Rothersthorpe Crescent), distributing standard and bespoke packaging products to UK businesses. Its product portfolio spans adhesive tapes, corrugated cardboard boxes, bubble wrap and protective packaging, polythene and paper products, eCommerce packaging, and strapping/machinery tools, supplemented by bespoke design services and a formal Packaging Review consulting offering.

The company serves a diversified B2B customer base across retail and e-commerce, food and beverage, shipping and logistics, creative/print, and bespoke packaging segments, with a primary focus on small and medium enterprises. Revenue is generated through one-time packaging materials sales priced on a quote basis, alongside flexible call-off arrangements where customers warehouse inventory at Leyland's facility and release orders on demand, creating a recurring engagement layer.

The go-to-market is sales-led with direct contact via phone, email, and online quote forms, supplemented by a physical trade counter at the Northampton site for local customers. Distribution combines an own-fleet regional delivery operation (covering Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Warwickshire with free local delivery) with UK-wide courier partnerships for national reach. The company maintains no app, no disclosed API, and no AI/ML capabilities; its competitive positioning rests on human expertise, family-run independence, 35 years of operational history, and value-added advisory services such as packaging audits and sustainable packaging transition support.

Name

Leyland Packaging

Legal name

Leyland Packaging

Website

https://leylandpackaging.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Independent family-run UK packaging supplier founded in 1991, based in Northampton, distributing standard and bespoke packaging products and providing advisory services to SMEs and mid-market businesses across retail, e-commerce, food and beverage, and logistics sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Packaging Supplies

NAICS

Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing (322211), Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing (326111), Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet (including Laminated) Manufacturing (326112), Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing (322212)

SIC

Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650), Plastics, Foil & Coated Paper Bags (2673), Wholesale-Paper & Paper Products (5110)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Protective Paper Packaging (Honeycomb, Paper Cushioning, Paper Wrap) (IMALACAH), Inflatable & Air Cushion Packaging (Air Pillows, Bubble Wrap Systems) (IMALAFAB), Flexible Paper Packaging & Wraps (kraft wrap, pouches, laminations) (IMAMAHAF)

Keywords

• Packaging supplies
• Corrugated boxes
• Protective packaging
• Bespoke packaging
• Ecommerce packaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Northampton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Packaging Materials Sales: One-time sale of packaging materials including adhesive tapes, cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, polythene products, paper products, strapping, machinery and tools. Products sold in various volumes with minimum order quantities where applicable. Bespoke/custom products available with minimum order requirements.
2. Flexible Call-off Arrangements: Warehouse stockholding service where customers can order packaging and have it delivered on-demand rather than holding large inventories. This recurring engagement model keeps customers tied to the supplier for just-in-time supply.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Leyland Packaging supplies a comprehensive range of packaging products to UK businesses, including adhesive tapes, cardboard and corrugated boxes, bubble wrap, airbags, mailing bags, postal cartons, strapping, and stretch/shrink film. In addition to off-the-shelf products, the company designs and manufactures bespoke packaging to custom sizes, board grades and printed specifications. It also provides flexible call-off stockholding, sustainable packaging advisory, and an expert packaging review service.

Product overview

Leyland Packaging is an independent family-run UK packaging supplier based in Northampton with over 30 years of experience. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of packaging products organized into core categories: Adhesive Tapes (Economy, Vinyl, Hot Melt, Solvent, E-Tape, Paper, Coloured, Bespoke Printed), Protective Packaging (Bubblewrap, Airbags, Bubble Lined Envelopes/Arofol), Corrugated/Cardboard Products (Single Wall, Double Wall, BDCM, Pallet Boxes, Postal Boxes, Bespoke), eCommerce Packaging (Mailing Bags, Garment Bags, Postal Cartons), Paper Products (Honeycomb Paper, Kraft papers, Tissue, News Cut-offs), Polythene Products (Polybags, Grip Seal, Layflat Tubing, Refuse Sacks), and Strapping/Machinery (Case Taping, Heat Sealers, Heat Shrink, Stretch Wrap, Strapping Tools). The company also provides value-added services including Bespoke Packaging design, Sustainable Packaging advisory, and Packaging Review consulting. Products are primarily sold B2B to UK businesses across retail, e-commerce, food & beverage, shipping/logistics, and manufacturing sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adhesive Tapes A range of packaging tapes including Economy, Low Noise, Hot Melt, Vinyl, Solvent, E-Tape, Coloured, Paper and Bespoke Printed tapes, plus tape dispensers, for carton sealing applications across UK businesses.
• Airbags Inflatable air cushion packaging for void fill and impact protection, available as pre-filled dispenser boxes for low-volume use and machine-filled for high-volume applications, made from biodegradable film.
• Bubblewrap Products Protective bubble wrap in Small Bubble, Large Bubble, Extra Large Bubble, Double Laminate, Anti Static and Biodegradable varieties, plus Mini Rolls and Bubble Bags for individual item packaging.
• Arofol Bubble Lined Envelopes Padded mail envelopes with FSC-certified uncoated eco-friendly paper outer and high quality air bubble film inner, featuring peel and seal closure, available in Gold and White variants.
• Corrugated / Cardboard Products Extensive range of cardboard boxes and corrugated packaging including Single Wall, Double Wall, BDCM (Bulk Distribution Carton Metric), Edge Boards, Pallet Boxes, Postal Boxes, Corrugated Rolls, Sheet Board and bespoke custom solutions.
• eCommerce Packaging Complete e-commerce packaging range covering Mailing Bags, Garment Bags, Postal Cartons and bespoke e-commerce products designed for online retail shipping needs.
• Polythene Products Wide range of polythene packaging including Clear Polybags, Grey Mailing Bags, Grip Seal Bags, Layflat Tubing, Refuse Sacks, Garment Bags and bespoke polythene products.
• Paper Products Extensive paper packaging range including Honeycomb Paper, Paper Mailers (FlexiPAK), Imitation Kraft, Pure Kraft, Specialised Paper (Waxed, Rust Inhibitor, Masking), Tissue and News Cut-offs.
• Paper Void Fill Eco FLO loose fill void filler made from maize starch as an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic packing chips. 100% biodegradable, compostable and dissolvable in water, providing protection comparable to polystyrene.
• Strapping, Machinery & Tools Complete strapping solutions including Case Taping machines, Heat Sealers, Heat Shrink systems, Shredding equipment, Stretch Wrap machines, Pallet Strapping, Battery Strapping, Strapping Tools and strapping materials (Polypropylene, Polyester, Steel, Woven).
• Bespoke Packaging Custom packaging design and manufacturing service for boxes, cartons and protective packaging produced to exact specifications, including die-cut boxes, custom sizes, printed options with company branding and bespoke polythene products.
• Sustainable Packaging Solutions Eco-friendly packaging advisory and supply service helping businesses transition to sustainable materials including recycled-content products, biodegradable options and recyclable alternatives to plastic.
• Packaging Review Service Expert packaging assessment service analysing current packaging processes, materials and costs to identify savings opportunities, covering process optimisation, environmental improvements and cost reduction recommendations.
• Documents Enclosed Packing list envelopes for securing documents with shipments, available in Plain, Printed, Enclosed Pouch Tape, Eco Friendly Plain and Eco Friendly Printed variants.
• Labels Packaging labels for product identification, shipping and branding applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cost reduction on layer pads up to 89% (up to 55% for smaller volumes)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Davpack: UK packaging supplier specializing in cardboard boxes, postal packaging, and protective materials with strong online ordering and B2B focus. Comparable as a similarly positioned mid-sized UK packaging distributor serving SMEs and e-commerce sellers.
• Rajapack: One of the largest independent packaging distributors in the UK and Europe, offering a broad catalogue of cardboard boxes, protective packaging, and shipping supplies with next-day delivery. Directly comparable to Leyland in product range, B2B distribution model, and target SME customer base.
• Kite Packaging: Major UK packaging supplier offering a comprehensive range of cardboard, protective, and mailing products with strong e-commerce capabilities. Closely comparable to Leyland across core product categories, scale, and quote-based direct sales model.
• Packaging Express: UK-based packaging distributor offering cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, mailing bags, and protective packaging with nationwide delivery. Directly comparable in product mix, B2B distribution model, and SME customer focus.
• Xpress Packing Supplies: UK independent packaging supplier offering a broad range of boxes, void fill, tapes, and mailing products via online catalogue and direct sales. Comparable in product breadth and independent mid-market positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Smurfit Kappa: Global paper-based packaging leader with extensive UK operations spanning corrugated, consumer, and protective packaging. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose pricing and service levels set the benchmark for UK packaging distribution.
• Sealed Air: Global protective packaging manufacturer (Bubble Wrap, Instapak, Cryovac) with significant UK distribution. Comparable in the protective and void-fill product categories that form a core part of Leyland's catalogue.
• DS Smith: Global integrated packaging manufacturer and distributor with significant UK presence, offering corrugated packaging, protective solutions, and recycling services. Comparable as the dominant UK-wide incumbent whose scale and catalogue define the competitive ceiling for independent distributors.
• Pregis: Global protective packaging manufacturer offering air pillows, paper void fill, and foam systems mirroring segments of Leyland's range. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the protective and sustainable packaging categories where Leyland competes.

Regional players

• Smith Packaging: UK packaging supplier with a focus on industrial and trade customers, offering corrugated, protective, and bespoke packaging solutions. Comparable in product range and B2B focus, though its geographic and segment focus differs from Leyland's Midlands SME base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/leyland-packaging

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 Leyland Packaging