As we approach the end of another eventful year, it feels fitting to share a recap of the incredible milestones Kite has achieved in 2013. Without a doubt, none of these accomplishments would have been possible without the unwavering support of our valued customers, suppliers, media partners, and dedicated staff. It’s been a true partnership that has driven our continued growth and success. To express our gratitude, last week we made a bold move by placing a full-page advertisement in The Times - Future of Packaging supplement. This was something we’ve never done before, and it felt like the perfect way to acknowledge everyone who’s played a role in our journey. If you missed it, here’s a glimpse of what it looked like in all its glossy glory.

This advertisement symbolizes a significant leap forward for our business. We’re committed to expanding our operations and strengthening our presence across the UK, all while staying true to our mission of becoming the leading packaging supplier in the country. Today, let’s take a moment to reflect on the highlights of 2013—there’s plenty to celebrate!

A Look Back at Our Product Innovations

2013 was nothing short of remarkable when it came to launching new product lines. One of our first major releases was the ‘enviro’ range, developed in collaboration with WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme). These eco-friendly products don’t just help the planet—they also offer tangible cost savings for our customers. Our enviro-tape, for instance, gained significant attention in the press, and we even introduced an enviro-tape calculator to demonstrate potential savings. Alongside this, we rolled out enviro-boxes and enviro-stretch pallet wrap. These single-wall boxes match the strength of traditional double-wall boxes, reducing environmental impact and cutting transportation costs.

Another exciting addition was our new range of protective packaging solutions tailored specifically for the art and picture industries. A standout innovation within this line was the telescopic picture frame boxes, designed to protect artwork during transit. Additionally, we revamped our website to create a dedicated section for this sector, allowing art professionals to easily source everything they need in one place.

However, the crown jewel of our product launches this year had to be the Mini Air System. Aimed at small to medium-sized businesses, it remains the most affordable air cushion machine on the market at £599. The Mini Air caught the attention of several prominent warehousing publications and performed exceptionally well in the final quarter, truly sparking a revolution in void fill materials.

Website Redesign

One of the most ambitious projects for our Kite Online team was the complete overhaul of our website. Built entirely in-house, the redesign focused on enhancing the user experience for our customers. The new site boasts a sleek, modern design with improved navigation and additional features like our innovative “Search by Size” tool. This tool lets users input their product dimensions and instantly find the perfect-sized bags and boxes.

The relaunch coincided perfectly with the introduction of the Mini Air System, and the web team also developed a Mini Air Price Comparison tool to showcase potential savings when transitioning to air cushion packaging. Social media integration and a fully functional blog platform were other key additions, encouraging interaction and feedback from our community.

Take a look at how far we’ve come—our old and new homepages tell a story of progress and innovation!

Community Engagement and Charity

Kite has always believed in giving back, and 2013 was no exception. Many of our employees went above and beyond by participating in various fundraising efforts. Several staff members tackled challenging endurance events like the Great North Run, while others organized creative initiatives such as a silent cake auction and bush tucker trials to support Children in Need.

Movember also brought out the best in our team as the men grew impressive mustaches to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research. And as we near the end of the year, we’ll be hosting our annual raffle, offering employees exciting prizes generously donated by our suppliers. All proceeds will go towards supporting local charities.

Strategic Investments

Growth has been at the heart of Kite’s strategy in 2013. Early in the year, we expanded our branch network with the opening of our newest location in the South West, strategically positioned to serve Plymouth and surrounding areas. This state-of-the-art facility has already proven invaluable to our operations.

Our transport division saw significant upgrades too, with the addition of new vehicles like a Wagon and Drag truck for our Swindon branch. We also invested £80,000 in infrastructure improvements to meet growing delivery demands.

But perhaps our most substantial investments were in property. Across the Midlands and North, we committed £5 million to expanding and relocating key branches. The Coventry site now spans 179,000 square feet, nearly tripling its previous size thanks to a £3.5 million investment. Similarly, our Sheffield branch moved to a brand-new facility in Rotherham, representing an investment of £1.5 million.

Award-Winning Success

November was particularly rewarding, as Kite received two prestigious awards: ‘Outstanding Company’ from Plimsoll Publishing and ‘Premier Supplier’ from Eaton Corporation. These honors motivated us throughout Q4 and reinforced the importance of teamwork in achieving such milestones.

We also showcased our latest creation, the Kite AirShock, at the Packaging Innovations Show in October. Dubbed the ‘armoured air’ pack, it garnered rave reviews and will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in our plans for 2014.

Looking Ahead to 2014

Next year marks the beginning of leveraging our recent acquisitions to set ambitious new goals. Stay tuned for details on a groundbreaking initiative we’ll unveil in January. Until then, follow along on Facebook for updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses into life at Kite. Thank you for being part of our journey—here’s to an even better year ahead!

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