The OP History
The 70's
Offset's original office, the waterworks at East Farleigh
The Offset Group originally started trading as 'Offset Productions and Technical Services' operating from an old waterworks at East Farleigh, Maidstone. Such was the layout within the unit that it was not even possible to use a pallet truck, so all materials had to be man-handled into and through the building. Equipment at the time extended to a single colour Solna printing machine, a small Pivano guillotine and a Somoto gluing machine.
The two entrepreneurs who set up the business were Hugh Jarvis, formerly a Sales Executive with Bowater Packaging, and his father Maurice ably assisted by mother Betty. The combination of long hours and a determination that the company should become known for quality and service within the packaging industry was the foundation for the growth of the business. A two colour Solna was installed in January 1971, a second in 1972 and a four-colour Solna in 1974. In October 1974 larger and more suitable premises were leased and Hugh's father, Maurice Jarvis, relinquished his position as Production Manager with Bowater Packaging to join the rapidly expanding family business. They were joined six months later by Maurice's younger son, Ian. Substantial growth was achieved throughout the seventies.
The 80's
Offset's office in the 80's
In 1980 the company name was changed to Offset Productions Limited. As a result of the growth in the seventies the business moved to larger, modern freehold premises in Aylesford, Kent. The directors of Offset Productions decided the company should operate larger B1/3B size presses. To this end the company purchased two Planeta printing presses, Misomex step and repeat machines, Iijima cut and creasing presses and a comprehensive range of finishing equipment, comprising Kohmann window patching machines and Grassi gluers allowing straight-line, double-wall, crash-lock and four-corner gluing; an investment which proved to be commercially successful. At the same time a team of capable and experienced staff was being assembled to complement and realise the potential of this machinery. In 1986 the Institute of Packaging awarded Offset Productions a Gold Star for Excellence in British Packaging; this was followed by a prestigious World Star later in the year.
The 90's
Expansion of the factory in the 90's
In 1991 the freehold of an adjacent building was acquired providing a production, warehousing and office area of 4,500m2. Further investment in an even wider range of converting equipment enabled the company to diversify into the production of high quality greetings cards and the short-run sector of the litho-laminated market. After purchasing a Mitsubishi 3FC5 40) printing press, featuring semi-automatic plate changing and many highly innovative features at the IGAS international trade show in Japan in 1996 Offset Productions was placed amongst the technological leaders in their field.
The 21st Century
2001
OP Digital was formed as a joint venture by Hugh Jarvis and Denis Joy, Managing Directors of Offset Productions and Botany Lithographics, respectively. This enabled the company to take advantage of the technological advancements in print and reprographics and bring computer-to-plate (CTP) in-house. Since opening their doors OPD has extended their enviable reputation for supplying high quality reprographics to many paper printers and packaging manufacturers outside the Offset Group.
2002
Offset Productions diversified further from the standard carton conversion into litho and UV production of flexible packaging as an alternative to reel-fed gravure. A new company called Triflex Productions Limited was formed by Mark Bevan, David Procter and Hugh Jarvis; this operated initially from the Aylesford site. Some of the key benefits of the product produced by this new company were low cost origination and shorter runs of paper and film barrier laminates.
2006
By this time Triflex Productions had outgrown the available space at the Aylesford site so moved to brand new premises at Cheriton, Folkestone. This involved the investment in new equipment enabling the company to produce UV flexo and UV offset flexible packaging. The machinery included a Drent Goebbel VSOP sleeve based offset machine. Triflex's business now serves many customers ranging from local UK and national companies to mainland European multi-nationals. www.triflexproductions.co.uk
2007
Green Box Environmental Packaging was started by Barry Brailey, ex-joint Managing Director of Robor Cartons. This company is dedicated to the creation of innovative consumer-focused products for the Food To Go market, such as sandwich packs using fully biodegradable and compostable boards. Both stock designs and a design/technical facility to produce bespoke packaging are offered
2008
There was a demand within the packaging industry, particularly in the South of England, for a large format packaging converter with the ability to supply solid board and litho-laminated packaging.
To satisfy this demand Offset Packaging Limited, a joint venture company between Frank Wallis and Offset Productions, commenced trading. Frank Wallis, former Managing Director and owner of Cavendish Packaging, negotiated with Hugh Jarvis, owner of Offset Productions, to set up this new business and a multi-million pound investment programme was implemented, becoming fully operational in early 2008.
This investment programme included a total reorientation of the production flow within the Aylesford plant and the installation of a KBA142 6 colour printing press with in-line UV. The new production line was completed by the purchase of Bobst-manufactured Asitrade Foliostar 165 Matic, SPeria 142E die-cutter and Starfold 145 A2 ES Gluer. (Link to Plant List for full details).
Frank Wallis, Detlef Boltersdorf (Brohl Wellpappe GmbH+Co KG) and Edward Bone
Everything is produced on-site which enables the company to maintain control over the entire manufacturing process; this has always been seen as key to ensuring high standards and the ongoing success and good reputation of the business.
The warehouse facility was expanded to cope with the additional demand for space for raw materials and finished product; and new IT systems have been implemented to complete the investment programme.
Offset Packaging recognises the importance of being able to provide our customers with a consistently high standard of service and the most comprehensive range of products possible.
To enhance our own production capability and to be able to offer our customers a complete one-stop packaging service we required a size 7 format for litho-laminated packaging. Therefore an extensive search was carried out resulting in a strategic partnership being formed between Offset Packaging Limited and Brohl Wellpappe GmbH+Co KG
This alliance company has four packaging factories situated in Germany producing Litho Laminated, Flexo pre print and post print packaging. The company is run by the Boltersdorf brothers, Detlef and Maximilian. Brohl possesses an enviable reputation for excellent quality and efficiency and its philosophy for customer service fits well with that of the Offset Group. Together both companies have created a formidable structure which can supply printed packaging to a wide range of industries throughout Europe.
An additional benefit of this alliance is our ability to offer customers high quality pre-and post-print flexo corrugated packaging.
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Products
Packaging for a wide range of industry sectors - all our solutions are customer specific.
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Services
We take every technical aspect into account when developing a packaging solution.
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Design & Innovation
Good packaging design aims to enhance the perceived value to the consumer.
