SubscribeONE or two key developments within the space of a year would normally be considered good progress for an established company, depending on its area of operation.
Yet 2004 has seen Grimsby-based Lynx Packaging Supplies Ltd make several major additions to its product and service portfolio - the latest being the launch last month [SEPT] of a new bespoke corrugated box manufacturing service.
Lynx can supply boxes to any specification, with custom pre-printed coding, where necessary. Customers can order just a single box or a short run of sample boxes, for instance, though there's no upper limit on quantity.
And lead times are certainly impressive. If an order comes in around noon one day, the first batch of finished products can be ready midday the next.
"We needed boxes ourselves for storage of palletwrap and polythene bags and they had to be different sizes and shapes to accommodate various products and quantities," said Lynx's managing director Andy Male, explaining the move.
"So the only sensible thing to do was to buy in the equipment and manufacture them in house, which had the added benefit of enabling us to expand the range of products available to our customers.
"As a result, we're now able to offer a total end-of-line packaging service - from palletwrap and polythene bags to boxes and tapes.
"There are other areas where we want to become self-sufficient, but as far as our customers are concerned, we can supply all their end-of-line packaging needs on a 'Just In Time' basis."
Several local companies in various sectors are also taking advantage of an in-house inventory management service, whereby Lynx staff visit the company weekly or bi-weekly to monitor packaging use and replenish stocks, as required.
As well as freeing up more of the customers' time, it reduces the amount of capital tied up in stock, as invoices are only generated for packaging that has been used, and they always have a ready supply of products.
Lynx is already looking at extending the service to related areas, such as safety wear and cleaning equipment, to create a total packaging management service. And technology will be playing a leading role.
"The majority of the service will ultimately be managed on line," Andy explained. "Customers will be able to log into our website and gain access to all kinds of information, tailored to their specific needs.
"Along with reports on their use of individual products and information on new developments relevant to their business, they'll be able to update consignment stock details, using hand-held Personal Digital Assistants.
"All they'll need to do is scan the desired products and the information will be fed back to us to be actioned.
"At the moment, the whole process is carried out manually, but we're aiming to start implementing the system in the coming year. And we've already had a lot of interest from our customers."