Merger of Foil Ribbon with QC Print and Laminating and Varnishing Company

Foil Ribbon has enhanced the range of services available through the merger of the Group with QC Print and Laminating and Varnishing Company.

Laminating and Varnishing Company operates from premises in Hinckley, approx 400 yards from the FRIP Hinckley site, and is a specialist in both conventional and metallised film lamination, Overall and spot UV and decorative finishes such as suspended uv glitter. LVC operates on a 24 hour basis and uses some of the fastest and newest equipment available to any trade lamination and varnishing service.

QC Print operates from premises in Redditch, Birmingham and offers a wide range of finishing processes from B1 diecutting, lamination, guillotining, folding , glueing, saddle stitching and spot uv processes including re-moist gumming and latex scratch off.

For further information on the full range of services offered please access www.lvc.uk.net or speak to your regular FRIP contact.

The combined operation is now able to offer a full and specialist finishing service to customers with the benefits of improved production times and reduced external delivery costs. Control of quality throughout all processes is maintained through a single point of contact for managing and ensuring the success of your job from start to finish.

This machine has been purchased following increased demand for high volume fast response servicing of our growing customer base. The machine enhances the overall service and value offered to our customers in the north west and gives our Manchester site further efficiencies in processing as well as enhancing the range of processes offered locally.

This machine completes the purchase by FRIP of a series of 5 Bobst machines covering each of our 4 sites of which FRIP is the only trade foiling organisation in the UK to have invested in this leading edge equipment as a standard for all operations.

In total FRIP have invested in excess of £2.5 million in new equipment over the past 5 years and has more foiling capacity than any trade or in-house foiling operation in the UK.

The development and technical advances of CNC engraved brass dies has enabled FRIP to substantially reduce the volume of copper and magnesium dies purchased. In 2004 over 80% of all dies purchased by FRIP Group were CNC engraved brass.

Where brass dies are unsuited due to the nature of design or image FRIP is actively assisting in the technical development of polymer plastic dies as a further alternative to the use of magnesium and copper.

FRIP recognises the need for environmental responsibility and accountability in it's processes. This is the first time that any trade foiling organisation has acknowledged this issue and sought to lead the industry in recognising it’s responsibilities.

Pharmaceutical Code of Practice established at all sites (Dec 2004)

Over the past year FRIP has been working to achieve PS9000:2001 Pharmaceutical Standard building on and incorporating the requirements of ISO9001:2000. FRIP is the only UK trade foiling/embossing operation with full accreditation to the Pharmaceutical Standard.

The process has involved all staff under the direction of Dee German (Group Quality Systems Manager) with accreditation being achieved in a rolling programme of Certifications, beginning with Hinckley in April 2004, followed by Manchester in June 2004 and London in August 2004 and finally Scotland in December 2004.

Our thanks go to all staff for their commitment to working towards improvements in systems and processes enabling FRIP to complete this objective which forms a major part of the Group Strategy of adopting higher standards of operation, customer service and management in pursuit of excellence.

The Pharmaceutical Standard – is accepted, as the industry standard that supplier’s to the pharmaceutical/healthcare market sectors must aspire. The Standard developed and regulated by the Pharmaceutical Quality Group sets out the minimum expectations of the industry for ensuring that the common objective of “safeguarding patients” is achieved. The standard requires the adoption of process methodology controlled by Good Manufacturing Practices.

Seven staff complete NVQ’s (Dec 2004)

On top of a comprehensive in-house training programme FRIP introduced Modern Apprentice and NVQ training schemes across all operating sites and for all levels of personnel in 2004. We strongly believe that the competence, quality, skill and motivation of our personnel plays a fundamental part in the professional approach and quality of service we provide our Customers.

Our congratulations go to all production personnel at the Hinckley facility on the successful completion of their concentrated 6 months NVQ level 2 course in Performing Manufacturing Operations concluded in July 2004. In addition congratulations also go to our warehouseman at Hinckley who has successfully completed NVQ in Distribution, Warehousing and Storage Operations level 2.

In readiness for their future roles our newly appointed Assistant Managers also successfully completed their NVQ level 2 training in Supervisory Development. [Sept 2004]

Good luck to all the staff about to embark on their NVQ training commencing April 2005

Relocation of London facility (June 2004)

We have moved to a new 6000 sq ft factory located approximately ½ mile from our previous facility in Coomber Way, Croydon. Access to the factory is just two minutes from the A23 link road at Croydon.

This facility is now located at
Unit D Pioneer Business Park
Beddington Farm Road
Croydon
CR0 4XY

The telephone and fax numbers remain the same:
- Tel 0208 683 2424
- Fax 0208 683 2456

The factory is modelled on our Manchester facility and incorporates a clean and bright operating environment necessary for food , pharmaceutical and healthcare packaging. In addition to the existing equipment we have added a further 1020 x 740 cylinder in order to meet local demand and further enhance our ability to meet the 24/7 demands of the London print and packaging market.