GM Packaging secures new clients for its sustainable products

North Shields-based GM Packaging has secured substantial contracts with blue chip clients including Marks & Spencer.

The company, which specialises in biodegradable products as opposed to plastic, was set up by Graham Montague 25 years ago.

The business started by producing carrier bags for butchers and then diversified out into containers and carton after rising demand.

Since then, GM Packaging has worked with the NHS producing food trays, which are now used in all of the North East NHS hospitals.

This long-standing expertise helped win a Marks & Spencer’s contract to provide hot food containers in various outlets and its head office.

Graham said: “We have seen our turnover double year on year for the last few years. A huge part of our growth has been down to our website which has attracted interest from around the globe.

“We are winning work due to our ability to be nimble and respond to bespoke requests really quickly, as well as getting great referrals from existing customers. I’m delighted this expansion has also created three new jobs in the last two months alone.

“Due to the uncertainly around Brexit we have consciously decided to develop our client base outside of the EU and it is already paying dividends with contracts as far afield as Nigeria and the Seychelles.”

Sustainability in packaging is becoming an ever-more important issue and GM Packaging’s products are all compostable and easily recycled.

The packaging is manufactured from a partner factory in India, produced from bamboo rather than trees, as it grows more quickly.

Recent growth has resulted in GM Packaging looking for a larger premises to facilitate increased demand.