The UK’s leading rigid box specialist is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Since 1969, Pollard Boxes has enjoyed consistent success and growth, both organic and through acquisition, supported by ongoing investment and the ability to anticipate and respond to changing market requirements.

The company was established by Brian Pollard who, with his wife Mary and mother- in-law Millie, set up the box making business in a small basement factory in the centre of Leicester producing jewellery boxes by hand. Today Pollard Boxes is led by Brian and Mary’s son Mark, the current Managing Director, who came into the business in 1985 and Commercial Director Peter Conner, who joined in 1992.

Over the years, Pollards has developed and adapted its offering to meet the requirements of a variety of sectors including PC games, video cassettes and DVDs. The company can devise specific solutions across a wide range of end-markets, notably for luxury and gift items, and has particular expertise in beauty, haircare and premium drinks.

In 1994 Pollards was the first UK company to install an Emmeci machine, which revolutionised the box manufacturing sector as a modern-day alternative to existing equipment, which was still based on pre-war designs. Six years later the company had replaced all its older machinery with Emmeci models, and this proactive investment has continued since then. Most recently this saw the installation of a new casemaker and two magnet and ribbon loop inserting machines – again the first of their kind in the UK – as part of new automated book jacket production department.

Pollards moved to its existing purpose-built site in Feldspar Close, Enderby in 2004, extending the facility with the addition of a second unit in 2010. In 2016 the company acquired presentation packaging manufacturer Clarke Rubicon, further consolidating its market-leading position.

In addition, Pollards has marked its 50th anniversary with the award of its first-ever patent for a unique box design for the premium drinks sector.

“The success of Pollards over the past 50 years underlines that UK design and manufacturing skills are still very much in evidence,” comments Mark Pollard.

“We have proved ourselves adept at responding to market needs and investing in the latest equipment to ensure we can continue to deliver a quality product and service to our customers; and it is this same philosophy and approach that will continue to drive the business to further success in the future.”