Clarks UK Growth Assisted By Riggs Autopack- September 15th 2017

 

Clarks UK Ltd is a family run business based in Newport, Wales, producing natural sweeteners, syrups and dessert sauces, and is the UK’s number 1 best-selling Maple Syrup and Natural Sweetener brand.

Clarks currently employ over 30 people in a new expanded factory in Newport. BRC approved to Grade A star. They produce a range of pure and blended maple syrups, honey, natural sweeteners like agave, carob fruit syrup, lower sugar ice cream sauces, natural coffee syrups and natural spreads.

The company supply their products to most major retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Co-Op, Morrisons, Ocado and Lidl, and also supply major restaurant chains, food service, catering wholesalers and food manufacturers.

The association between Clarks and Riggs Autopack started back in 2009 when they purchased their first semi-automatic depositor to accurately fill squeezy bottles. In August 2011 they purchased a second depositor and began looking into ways to automate production beyond semi-automatic machines to cope with increasing sales and demand.

In 2012 they invested in a major automation upgrade with a Riggs Autopack 4 head automatic conveyor filling line with scroll feed system; this enabled them to significantly expand production in line with increasing demand. Clarks continued to grow as the UK’s appetite for Maple Syrup and Natural Sweeteners continued to increase. A factory expansion in 2014 led the company to purchase a 3 head automatic filling machine to run as a second conveyor filling line to their existing 4 head filling line. By utilising 2 off conveyor filling lines, this gave Clarks UK far greater production capacity.

The original two semi-automatic depositors plus a new bulk filling depositor for food service and catering tubs are still employed as off-line machines in the factory to cope with the tremendous success and scope of the production now required. The constant development of new products and new markets has seen the company continue to grow at a rapid rate year on year. This growth has enabled them to continually invest in the entire production facility.

In 2016 they upgraded the 2 existing filling lines with automatic capping machines. They also increased capacity significantly with another Riggs Autopack automatic scroll feed system and gated filling line with automatic capping. This was a 6 head filling machine and allowed them to increase production to match their sales demands (as shown above).

Clarks are continuing to invest in marketing, NPD and the production technology required for their continued growth. Bob Clark, Managing Director of Clarks UK Ltd said ‘We have worked with Riggs Autopack for a number of years. Riggs Autopack work closely with us to really understand our requirements and have helped us to future-proof our production facility for future growth. They offer exceptional service, great quality machinery and have always been reliable.”