Packing firm moves into materials handling

Herefordshire-based Orion Packaging Systems (UK), the UK's leading manufacturer of stretchwrapping equipment, has significantly expanded its product and service offering with the addition of a dedicated materials handling division. The new division allows Orion and its highly skilled engineering team headed by Oliver Williams, engineering manager, to offer a complete service for companies needing to move and secure goods prior to transportation, with the company now able to supply anything from a simple load assister to a complete system. As with Orion's stretchwrapping products, all materials handling systems will be designed and built in-house The expansion has seen Orion take on two new staff with specific responsibility for materials handling.

Systems sales manager Phil Black has held senior positions in companies including AH Europe/ SCM Corrugated Machines and Hertel, and has extensive knowledge and experience in mechanical and design management, production scheduling and industrial sales.

Lee Simcock, systems design engineer, has an extensive background in management and design engineering.

His experiences encompass handling solutions, bespoke engineering solutions and project management in machinery design.

He has also previously worked for Hertel.

Walter Williams, managing director of Orion Packaging Systems (UK), explained: 'This is a key step for us and a logical one as it allows us to become a true one-stop shop for companies in all sectors needing to move and securely wrap palletised or unpalletised loads.' He continued: 'It will also allow us to make better use of our existing in-house production facilities, where all Orion products are manufactured to our exacting standards.

Both Phil and Lee have significant experience in this sector and we see materials handling as playing a substantial role in our continued growth and success.' * About Orion Packaging Systems (UK) - established in 1987, Orion is today one of only a handful of UK-owned manufacturers of end of line stretchwrapping equipment for palletised and unpalletised goods.

Orion offers a full range of automatic and semi-automatic systems, available either as stand-alone units or fully integrated into the production line.

It has also diversified into materials handling, giving customers access to the complete offering for product movement and packaging prior to despatch.