Weedon PSC’s New Testing Lab to Offer Performance Guarantees

The Weedon Group, the UK’s top independent producer of Retail Ready Packaging (RRP) and Point of Sale (POS) displays, has opened a new performance testing laboratory at its Weedon Corrugated Products factory in Audenshaw, Manchester.

The company has invested in new box compression testing equipment, which will enable it to test packaging scientifically and provide performance guarantees. The laboratory will be used for testing individual customers’ packaging as well as raw materials. It will provide assurance as to the expected performance of proposed designs, check the capability of existing packaging and test the sheet board the company uses, including the output of its own in-house corrugator, to ensure it meets required standards and specifications. Both Weedon Group sites, at Audenshaw and Weedon PSC at Hednesford, Staffordshire, will benefit from the new facilities.

Although the Weedon Group has undertaken edge testing of corrugated board for many years, it will now be able to test finished packaging. The new equipment can check compression strength (how much load the board can withstand before it collapses), its weight and its burst strength (how much pressure it can tolerate before it fails). This will enable the company to provide its customers with a definitive assessment of the durability of its packaging. In some cases, customers may be advised to upgrade their board specifications to provide better protection; others may be given the confidence to downgrade and save money while still providing adequate strength.

Managing Director John Weedon comments:

“The expansion of our testing facilities is an exciting development for us. Adding value to our customers is one of our top priorities. Now we will be able to tell them with scientific certainty and in advance of mass production whether their packaging is fit for purpose.

“We have championed the concept of packaging reduction and are always keen to avoid wasting materials. If customers are over-specing their packaging, they will now know that they can safely economise on board costs, while still providing good protection. This is obviously better for our customers’ profit margins, but also better for our planet and in line with our sustainability goals.

“The ability to test completed boxes will be a valuable tool to support our structural designers. Although our team has many years’ experience, they will now be able to justify their recommendations with statistical data, and our customers will be able to rest assured that our packaging will do exactly what we say it will do!”

For further information:

John Weedon, Managing Director of the Weedon Group, on 01543 423838.