A leading North East supplier of print and packaging solutions is celebrating a significant boost to its team with the announcement of eight new appointments to drive forward plans for future growth.
The Encore Group is strengthening the teams across its divisions at Encore Envelopes and Encore Packaging Solutions in Peterlee and Washington.
Joining Encore Envelopes is business development manager, Brett Hopper and trainee production planner Paul Wrightson.
After 35 years in the envelope industry, Brett brings with him a wealth of experience having worked at a director-level in key roles at Lockie Envelopes, Grosvenor Print and Design and Opal Envelopes. Brett was also Chairman of the Envelope Manufacturers and Suppliers Association.
Brett said: “I wanted to bring my expertise to The Encore Group, and my experience in sheet-fed envelope manufacturing and supplying the public sector will benefit the company.
“After being impressed with the wide range of manufacturing and printing capabilities at Encore’s plants, I look forward to developing a new customer base and providing them with a quality product and service.”
In a further boost to the envelope team expansion, Paul brings 14 years’ experience as a plate maker with a label printing company to his new role.
Encore Packaging has taken on two business development managers Graham Tattam and Chris Johns, business development support manager Sean Mattimore, an estimator Steve White, pre-production administrator Shannon Taylor and production and quality support coordinator Megan Heron.
Following a career spanning 30 years in the packaging industry with roles in a number of global paper-based packaging manufacturers, Graham brings industry expertise and commercial knowledge to the role.
Graham said: “The Encore Group is an ambitious and well invested company that is looking to build a position in the market through innovation, quality, flexibility and responsiveness, and this was an excellent opportunity to join the team at an exciting stage in the business.”
Chris has a significant track record in the print carton industry spanning 45 years, with roles in external sales and account management. His previous positions for large print groups and independent carton manufacturers at Taylowe, Duncan Print & Packaging and Bridger Packaging in the business development and sales director fields will enable Chris to share his wider expertise and knowledge to The Encore Group.
Sean began his career in the print sector in 1985 as an apprentice compositor and has progressed from pre-press manager and account manager to team manager for a global print group.
Having worked in commercial print all his working life in the sales and client services field, Steve is looking forward to utilising his experience to make a positive impact and help grow the business.
Two employees who are new to the industry and already demonstrating their enthusiasm and commitment to a career in print and production are Shannon and Megan. A graduate from East Durham College with qualifications in finance and sales, Shannon has experience in business administration and sales from her previous role at a global flooring centre. Megan, who was taken on only recently, has already made an impression at the firm and has now progressed to her new role in client services.
Russell Croisdale, managing director of The Encore Group, said: “I am delighted to welcome our new staff on board to Encore Envelopes and Encore Packaging Solutions, who bring a great mix of skills and experience. They will enhance our team and play a valuable and important part of our future.
“As both businesses grow, and in conjunction with our succession planning, it is vital that we can attract new talent and expertise into our company. With training and continuous strategic investment, progression within The Encore Group is there for everyone.”
With a third site in Dewsbury in West Yorkshire, the company produces more than three billion items of packaging a year, including corrugated and solid board boxes, direct mail packaging and e-commerce solutions, and produces 30 per cent of the 11.5 billion envelopes delivered by Royal Mail each year.
Russell added: “It’s a great feeling to know we are providing high quality career opportunities in our native North East and contributing to the local economy as well as the community in which we work and rely upon.”